Turbo-4 BMW 7 Series Headed to China?

BMW AG plans to offer a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the base 730Li version of its long-wheelbase 7 Series luxury sedan in China next year.

The Malaysian Web site PaulTan.org, which cites a Chinese environmental registration posted on an unspecified Web site, notes that the downsized engine will allow buyers to avoid hefty tariffs China places on vehicles with large displacement engines.

PaulTan.org says the turbo-4 engine, which currently is available in 3 Series cars, will be mated with an 8-speed transmission and generate 252 hp and 258 lb-ft. of torque in the 7 Series. The current 730Li in China is powered by a naturally aspirated six-cylinder powerplant that makes 258 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.