When the C-Class predecessor launched, it was known as the 190 and carried a four-cylinder powerplant underhood. Mercedes is now considering a return to four-pots in the U.S. market as the price of fuel continues to soar. MBZ is reportedly already testing a 1.4-liter carrying a supercharger, which is strange when you consider there's already a 1.8-liter blown four-cylinder on sale in Europe. The C180 Kompressor seems like it'd be the easy way to get fours back into the U.S. lineup, but Mercedes must have some other ideas driving the decision to develop the smaller 1.4.
Even stranger, while the talk is all about forced induction, the end result will supposedly be underwhelming in the power department, so Mercedes is planning on ramping up the glitter without delivering the gold. Perceived performance is the euphemism for a car that comes with a loud exhaust and twitchy throttle, and that's what Mercedes engineers think it will take to make the car palatable to U.S. buyers. Gee, leave the sound insulation out so that 25 mph feels like 100 and we're sold! Seriously, is this a late April Fool's joke? "Perceived performance?" A car that's not in denial about being thrifty might be more successful than a poseur.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rj @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:06AM
Perceived performance has been huge in the US for years! Just ask any ricer
OH YEA BABY FART CAN ON DA CIVIC! BAW-D KIT AND I B SMOKIN DA STANGS!!
David @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:15AM
There's something I love about the look of the new C Class... mmm :P
klundquist @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:22AM
I'd be all over a blown 4 banger in the C-Class. I had an 05 C230 that regularly saw over 30mpg.
I only got rid of it because it was too small.
Chris @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:23AM
Interesting choice as GM abandoned the super charger for turbo's because of emissions issues.
Trever Cornwell @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:00AM
What emissions issues would that be? From my knowledge the turbo carries more emissions issues than a supercharger does (slow catalytic converter light off). Not to mention the performance hit turbos take due to emissions due to EGR which makes the turbos lag even more.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:58AM
Except for every Cadillac -V model has a blower now (used to be all but one) and the ZR1 has one too.
ChopperDave @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:35AM
Well, to be charitable, "perceived performance" is pseudo-hightened ad-speak for "seat-of-the-pants."
Since I personally don't require too much hustle, so I'll take a C180 Kompressor in dark gray, thank you. At least it might be a little closer to my price range.
ChopperDave @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:37AM
I'll also take a Strunk & White's Element of Style to hone my commenting skills. Yikes.
Todd @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:45AM
Every car should have a 4cyl option.
SPG @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:27PM
One Grand Marquis 2.3 litre coming up.
MikeW @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:05PM
'Every car should have a 4cyl option' Why?
and has Ford installed the 6 speed automatic yet? or 8 speed automatic.
I will take my engines from base 3 design.
I3, I6, V6, Boxing6, Broad arrow 9-three banks of 3 (just kidding), V12
blow'd motors @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:20AM
Will this make Mercedes eligible for Nascar racing? The commentators are always yapping on about blow'd motors, and now Mercedes and Benz will have one.
Mirko @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:34AM
Mercedes has a supercharged 1.6 in Europe too - It's called C180 BlueEfficiency. The non-blue, non-efficient C180 is really a 1.8.
Guenther @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:45AM
this is more non-news. Wake me up when they (or BMW) decide to sell 4cyl diesels here.
Mathieu @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:53AM
Isn't the 4-cylinder-turbocharged engine available in the states on the C230 ? We have a 1.8T four cylinder engine here in Canada on a 2005 C230.
havoc @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:01PM
it doesn't matter what engine they use, unless they reduce the weight of these pigs.
the small displ 4 cyl can see great benefits from a positive displ style blower (roots, lysholm, etc) since the size fo the blower and the boost pressure can be almost directly related to an increase in displacment. bypass valves for blowers also allow the car to be non-boosted when cruising, and there is no turbo in the exhaust to slow gasses or reduce efficiency of the cat(s).
a small m45 on a 1.6l 4 cyl could gain a much needed 30 lbs of torque down low and coupled with a mercedes 7+ speed transmission you're all set.
just don't get konfused when you see kompressor... high performance comes in many models, not just acceleration.
MikeW @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:15PM
Stupid Germans!
Mercedes finally rids itself of 4 cylinders, the '06 C250 (I wont dignify their asinine C230 nomenclature) with a 2.5 liter V6 [and 3 & 3.5 versions C300 (aka C280) & C350]
and instead of keeping the 2.5 around for the new C-class, they just drop it and make the 3.0 V6 the new bottom.
What MB should have done is change the axle ratio from 3.27 to 3.46, to account for the extra bulk/heft.
MB's oversquare 2.5 V6 already outperforms Toyota's 4gr-fse, especially with the 7g-tronic.
MB 201hp@6200, 181ft-lbs 2700-5000 (88mm bore, 11.2:1 compression)
Toyota 204hp@6400, 185ft-lbs@4800 (83mm bore, with a 12:1 compression ratio and direct injection)
Bring back the V6.
There are two evolutionary paths to choose from: add direct injection- like certain 3.5 V6s have that, or drop the dual length intake manifold for a 2.5 HO (like the 3.5HO in the SL & SLK)
MikeW @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:42PM
and change the C300 from 3.07 to 3.27
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:21PM
I find the comment about "how can it be slow with a blower" to be jarring. It's like gas wasn't $4 or something.
You can talk about tricks like turbos or superchargers all you want. But in order to reduce oil consumption (make CAFE), cars are just flat out going to have to become less powerful. Not trickier, less powerful. When the entry level for HP went from 100HP to 180HP and fast went from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds to 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, we ran into a serious problem with fuel consumption. And that's before you point out about other countries like India and China starting to use a lot more oil.
Cars may not get slower, if they can get lighter or more efficient, but they will have to use less fuel, which means produce less power.
Chris @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:24PM
haha blown haha
anyways.....
MB needs to use the 200hp 196 or whatever lb. turbo i4 from the turbo B-class. it will be much more efficient than a supercharger.