Comments on: Mercedes-Benz developing three-cylinder engine

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:53:35 +0000

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.

By: A4

A4 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:56:02 +0000

good one TL. ahem.

By: SomeGreek

SomeGreek — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:50:53 +0000

3 cylinder in C-class? Don’t think so LLN…

By: sprockkets

sprockkets — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:02:21 +0000

a BMW bike?

By: scratchy

scratchy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:52:06 +0000

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.

By: TL

TL — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:48:55 +0000

What’s next? A two-cylinder engine?

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:09:09 +0000

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).

By: scratchy

scratchy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:18:01 +0000

@ 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.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:34:44 +0000

After what Daimler did to Chrysler 3 cylinders is all they deserve.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:06:54 +0000

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.

By: sprockkets

sprockkets — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:21:49 +0000

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.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:05:14 +0000

No worries: Smart engine comes from Mitsubishi.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:19:20 +0000

God I hope it’s not the Smart engine. That thing is a piece of garbage and the real world fuel economy is horrible.

By: 05Z88Path

05Z88Path — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:45:55 +0000

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.

By: A4

A4 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:42:41 +0000

I bet they’re just going to throw a turbo on the Smart engine.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:24:57 +0000

Mercedes is just swimming in BMW’s wake.

By: pavlindrom

pavlindrom — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:24:19 +0000

And put the C63 on the image thingie. Very clever indeed.