Mercedes-Benz brass is considering bringing back a forced induced four-cylinder engine for its entry-level C-class, due to higher gas prices and emissions requirements. Unconfirmed reports say the German manufacturer is developing and testing a 1.4-liter engine with a supercharger for North America, which is interesting as Europe, where such small-displacement engines are traditionally found aplenty, already has a 1.8 liter supercharged four.
New technologies such as direct injection are likely to make the 1.4 powerful and efficient for its size, but with Europe’s bigger 1.8L mill developing 154 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, and the likeliness the 1.4 won’t develop a specific output of 100hp/liter, we don’t have high expectations as to the output. Neither does Mercedes, as word is it will give the baby Benz a throatier exhaust sound and artificially tune throttle response for a more sporting feel behind the wheel, as per Inside Line. The new engine will most likely replace the European 1.8L as well.
The last four-cylinder C on these shores, the 2005 C230 Kompressor, was powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter inline-four good for 189 horsepower. The blown four was dropped for the 2006 model year in North America in favor of a 2.5 liter V6 delivering 201 horses.
