Mercedes eyeing motors from MINI
Just because BMW declined Mercedes' public offering to develop engines together doesn't mean that the 3-pointed star and the roundel can't work together at all. Mercedes has a B-Class car arriving in 2011, and it needs motors. BMW and Peugeot have developed 4-cylinder direct injection lumps that power the MINI, and Mercedes is eying the cutting edge powerplants for its new compact car.
The new B-Class would take the place of the current A- and B-Class cars cars, and come in five flavors: 3-door, 5-door, SUV, coupe, and convertible. BMW announced just this month that it would be ending its partnership with Peugeot on those engines, so it is unclear how Mercedes would get them in 4 years time. Regardless, Mercedes is due to make a decision about what powers the new B-class by next month.
[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Level 5:09PM (10/19/2007)
DaimlerChrysler used to produced the mini engine b4 the switch to the BMW/Peugeot on the mini coopers.
M-B managed to create the AMG 6.2L motor, and can't seem to re-develope the original mini engine on its own?
It even has Chrysler to help M-B on a small engine, Why would M-B be wanting to unite with BMW?
If you think it was bad when Stuck up M-B owners hated the thought that anypart was shared with Chrysler etc.
You know how much they gonna hate to know their engine can be found in a BMW!>>>
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Brett- BMW Advocate 5:15PM (10/19/2007)
Good for BMW, sell those engines and have control.
Step down Mercedes, you're second rate now!
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RicardoHead 5:25PM (10/19/2007)
I agree MB is second rate ... now on par with BMW.
ebm14 10:53PM (10/19/2007)
The factory in Brazil is actually owned by Chrysler
that made the first new wave of Mini engines.
I guess MB is just trying to save money on development costs since it lost money from Chrysler.
Personally, I think that was the dumbest move for MB to buy Chrysler in the first place. Nobody listens to me
and everyone just cares about making money and not about patriotism or pride.
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adrian 8:42AM (10/20/2007)
I don't think BMW will be in that much control. There are a few four cylinder engines around, I am sure Mercedes can design the car to fit a different one just in case the deal does not work out, they have enough time.
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Csingh 4:47PM (10/20/2007)
leave it bmw those greedy bastards! :D
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Calebe 8:46AM (10/22/2007)
so is BMW designing another engine for the Mini? They said the current one was to expensive. Peugeot I'm assuming will continue to build them for it's own products.Benz could just buy them from Peugeot.
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