Of course the discussion (argument) could go on forever and a day whether the relative aversion to 4-cylinder engines is something within the American driver's psyche, or a fabrication of marketing. Whatever, I can remember
w-a-y back in the early '70s when the 2.8/3.0 liter BMW engine was referred to as the "big six." That was a marvelous engine back then, as is its descendants, and frankly, given all the advancements in engine design and manufacture, fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc., etc., etc., today's engines are more fuel efficient, cleaner, durable, maintenance-free, and powerful than those earlier engines of comparable displacement. Looking at things from the BIG PICTURE viewpoint (operational costs, emissions, even safety to some extent) I can't see any justification for the engine of a passenger vehicle today being larger than 3 liters (and that includes minivans; there's no reason for anyone to be driving an SUV).
I have spoken
