Mercedes-Benz developing three-cylinder engine

[Giannis]

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.

LeftLaneNews

 

[klier]

A 3 cylinder engine jointly developed by BMW and MB would be nice. I'd like to see the relationship between the companies taken to a new level....

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I'd like to see the relationship between the companies taken to a new level....

That would hurt my soul!

 

[Giannis]

Three-cylinder coming to next Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

According to a report from AutoWeek.nl, Mercedes-Benz is taking a long, hard look at a new three-cylinder engine for its upcoming range of small cars and hybrids. Daimler already offers a 1.0-liter three-banger in the diminutive Smart ForTwo, and this new powerplant would likely be destined for the engine bay of both the next-gen Smart and Mercedes' A-, B- and C-Class vehicles.

In addition to the three-cylinder engine, Thomas Weber, director of group research and car development at Mercedes-Benz, says the German automaker plans to offer a hybrid powertrain option on each of its models – from minicars like the Smart to its line of large luxury sedans and commercial vans. To make that goal a reality, M-B is working to reduce the weight of its hybrid drivetrain by 10%.

The last interesting little nugget from this report is that Mercedes is looking for a partner to help develop this small engine family. We can't help but recall rumors from last month indicating that BMW was working on its own new three-cylinder engine architecture.

AutoBlog

 

[coolraoul]

A 3 cylinder engine jointly developed by BMW and MB would be nice. I'd like to see the relationship between the companies taken to a new level....

Yeah so do I. They should put their vanity aside and get real. A cooperation on such projects only brings advantages for them.

 

[Centurion]

Yeah so do I. They should put their vanity aside and get real. A cooperation on such projects only brings advantages for them.

True. 3 pot engines in entry level cars such as the Mini, lower-end 1er and A+B-Class wouldn't do any harm since customers of those cheaper cars aren't concerned with engine prestige and exclusivity.

 

[Merc1]

I don't know about the cars in the MB range, but the Smart desperately needs this new engine. Looking at a Smart you would think it gets at least 60 MPG, but it doesn't and the trans sucks big time.


M

 

[cawimmer430]

I don't know about the cars in the MB range, but the Smart desperately needs this new engine. Looking at a Smart you would think it gets at least 60 MPG, but it doesn't and the trans sucks big time.


M

Maybe the Smart doesn't get the best gas mileage because of the transmission? Just a thought.

I remember when I drove the Smart Roadster - the transmission sucked like hell.

 

[Mr Robert]

3 cylinder engines for the next C-class?

Well, I have just read an interview with Thomas Weber and he said that they are comming, not just for the next A-class and B-class.

What do you think, will this work out?

He also said that the C-class will be at least 100 kgs lighter than the current version. The future is bright.

 

[coolraoul]

If refinement and torque are okay (turbo will help for that), I have nothing against it.

In the Forfour, the 3-cylinder cdi motors (4-cylinders of the A and B-Class with one cylinder less) were incredingly noisy and unrefined, but the car itself had absolutely no sound insulation whatsoever, so...

 

[Gullwing]

Right now the only engines sold in the US are V6, V8 and V12.
They need to bring over the 250CDI and once that does well then they can start to think about 3 cylinders. But I don't think we will get them.
But with Cap and Trade... who knows.

 

[Mr Robert]

Right now the only engines sold in the US are V6, V8 and V12.
They need to bring over the 250CDI and once that does well then they can start to think about 3 cylinders. But I don't think we will get them.
But with Cap and Trade... who knows.

The key issue here is that gas is so cheap in the US. There really is no reason to go for efficient engines.

 

[Gullwing]

That might change here pretty quick the price of gas and power might double.

 

[Mr Robert]

That might change here pretty quick the price of gas and power might double.

Maybe. If it trippled it would be on the same level as in most European countries. But, yeah, the price of gas will rise.

 

[Gullwing]

Maybe. If it trippled it would be on the same level as in most European countries. But, yeah, the price of gas will rise.

If the tax on the gas/power was used for something good like infrastructure then that wouldn't be so bad. Silky smooth interstate freeways with no speedlimits would be great, but we will still have the same two lane strips of potholes that will continue to fall apart.

I think even if they had it all set up to take the new tax and put it right to work it would still send us into a deeper depression

 

[Wolfgang]

Benzinsider has an update.

http://www.benzinsider.com/2014/03/mercedes-will-equip-compact-hybrids-with-3-cylinder-engines/

 

[martinbo]

^ What relevance does the engine picture attached to the article have with the article itself? That's a very unusual engine design.

 

[Wunderkind]

Very unconventional design with the middle cylinder having four valves and the adjacent cylinders having two valves only. The cylinder spacing is very slim. I don't know, but seems like the middle cylinder can run on its own as a single cylinder engine and the large piston is to offset the pistons in the two smaller cylinders for better vibration control.

This is novel!

 

[Wolfgang]

The picture might not mean anything, though, as Benzinsider may just have been inspired by the Ilmor 5-stroke, to depict the efficiency of the new engine?

Our objective with the 5-stroke engine is to develop a gasoline engine with fuel consumption and emission levels comparable to that of current diesel engines, without the serious problem of particulate and NOx emissions that plague diesels.
http://www.ilmor.co.uk/capabilities/5-stroke-engine?/concept_5-stroke_1.php

 

[martinbo]

Wolfgang - how do you know all this sh!t? Amazing!