Not wanting to be left behind by cross-country rival BMW, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly working on a new, ultra-efficient three-cylinder engine of its own. Like BMW, Mercedes-Benz is developing the new range of three-cylinder engines for its entry-level models.
In an interview with AutoWeek.nl, Mercedes R&D chief Thomas Weber revealed that the German automaker is currently developing a three-cylinder engine. Moreover, the three-cylinder option could be available on some Mercedes models by as early as 2012.
Although work has already begun on the three-pot, Mercedes is still looking for a partner to finish the development of the engine. Mercedes has stated that it wants a closer relationship with BMW, so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities that the two automakers could team up on the engine’s development.
The three-cylinder will be initially offered in the Smart ForTwo as well as Mercedes’ A- and B-Class vehicles, but it will also be available in the company’s larger C-Class. Although the three-cylinder C-Class will only be available in Europe at launch, there is still the possibility it could be sold in the North American market in the coming years.
06/18, 12:24 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
And put the C63 on the image thingie. Very clever indeed.
06/18, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Mercedes is just swimming in BMW’s wake.
06/18, 12:42 PM
posted by:
A4
I bet they’re just going to throw a turbo on the Smart engine.
06/18, 12:45 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
I saw the headline and my eyes almost popped out of my head. Forgot all about the little Smart car. As long as Mercedes keeps a 3-cylinder engine to their Smart ForTwo…I have no problem with it. But a 3-banger in a C-Class? That just doesn’t seem right. To much car for such a small engine IMO.
06/18, 1:19 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
God I hope it’s not the Smart engine. That thing is a piece of garbage and the real world fuel economy is horrible.
06/18, 2:05 PM
posted by:
Borat
No worries: Smart engine comes from Mitsubishi.
06/18, 2:21 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
News alert: BMW and Mercedes make vehicles for the working, middle class in Germany. They only sell the luxury stuff in the US.
Would be nice if the US could handle Honda making the Acura line of cars, but image is everything.
06/18, 3:06 PM
posted by:
Borat
sprockkets: car market in Germany is actually very diverse. Middle class in Germany is definitely price conscious and seems to look for most bung for their Euro. Smallish Benzes and bimmers are not exactly flying off the shelves. We, in US buy more of them. And I believe they cost much more in Europe.
06/18, 3:34 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
After what Daimler did to Chrysler 3 cylinders is all they deserve.
06/18, 4:18 PM
posted by:
scratchy
@ Borat , actually the Germans buy a lot of BMWs and Mercs , here are the numbers for new cars sold in Germany in 2008 :
1. Golf + Jetta 231,293 units
2. Audi A4 98,714
3. Merc C class 98,145
4.VW Passat 94,523
5. BMW 3 87,302
6. Opel Astra 76,069
7 .BMW 1 75,621
8. VW Polo 71,952
9. Opel Corsa 67.614
10.Ford Focus 66.244
the cars may be more expensive in Europe, but the Euro is strong and the Germans get payed well. BMW, Merc, Audi all have models with 1.6l-1.8l engines that sell really good and are not considered luxury cars.
06/18, 5:09 PM
posted by:
Borat
scratchy, Germans are not compensated better then we are. As a matter of fact the table does not show neither A or B class Benz (the natural candidates for small 3 cylinder engine). You see good number of Golfs, Astras, Focuses, Polos etc, but not small A and B class Benzes. Which sort of confirms my statement: German consumers are price conscious and will not throw money on labels. There are more 3 series sold then 1 series; 1 series in Europe goes out mostly as a hatchback either 3 or 5 doors (and most of them with diesels). Also, in cities you’ll see large number of BMW 3 series, C class and A4 taxis and they all are new (they look like new late models cars).
06/18, 5:48 PM
posted by:
TL
What’s next? A two-cylinder engine?
06/18, 5:52 PM
posted by:
scratchy
i’m European and i spent 4 years in college in Germany , most taxis are E class specially built by the Merc , i have never seen a 3 series, C class or A4 taxi, but most recently i saw some Volvos.
A or B class Mercs may be cheaper , but nowhere in Europe i saw more A or B class than C class cars. my point is that normal BMWs , Audis , Mercs are middle class cars in Germany and are not considered to be “label merchandise”. my German uncle has a 525 BMW and my 20 year old cousin has a 325 Coupe and they are both industrial mechanics.
German consumers are price conscious but they also appreciate a good piece of engineering and with A4 starting price of 26,500 Euros for example it’s a piece of cake to get one. the Germans may not look at the label for clothes and such , but they do like their beer and their cars.
06/18, 7:02 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
a BMW bike?
06/19, 4:50 AM
posted by:
SomeGreek
3 cylinder in C-class? Don’t think so LLN…
06/19, 8:56 AM
posted by:
A4
good one TL. ahem.
06/19, 12:53 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
TL… I think Harley-Davidson currently holds the pattent for the V-twin… though some of their bikes can produce nearly 100hp and return decent MPGs. I really think a lack of torque could be a problem, unless MB can get their porker cars to start shedding the pounds.
Though if they ditched some of the junk features that aren’t really necessary: in-dash nav, in-dash HDD for songs, adaptive cruise, park-assist, eleventy billion airbags, headlights that turn as you turn the wheel, lose some insulation, etc. They could probably pull 500lbs out of the car pretty easily. Amazing how the electronic chips, sensors, doo-dads, and all the assocaited wiring just pack on the pounds.