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Three-cylinder coming to next Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jun 19th 2009 at 9:58AM 
Mercedes-Benz A-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery
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.
Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
[Source: AutoWeek.nl]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kattleox 10:33AM (6/19/2009)
Yeah! POWAH!!! Put that tiny engine in my Merc!
In all honesty, though, I don't like this. Mercedes is a luxury manufacturer and smart was their attempt at tapping lower price cars and their respective demographic. I can't see this ending well for Mercedes.
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Bloke 10:36AM (6/19/2009)
Mercedes has long built luxury cars. It also builds small cars, commercial vans, pick-ups, buses, small trucks, refuse collection vehicles, and large articulated trucks. It is not just a luxury car manufacturer.
jsjs 3:24PM (6/19/2009)
kattleox -
Mercedes (aside from its commercial van/truck business) is a full line auto manufacturer (as is Toyota in Japan and Hyundai in Korea) and has been selling the compact A Class in Europe for more than a decade.
Mercedes also sells many of their larger models in Europe w/ basic (hardly luxurious) interiors and smaller powerplants that aren't available here, and the E Class is one of the most popular vehicles used as taxis across the pond.
Btw, Daimler has been searching for a 3rd party to jointly develop small engines ever since Daimler (then DaimlerChrysler) divested itself from its holding of shares in Hyundai.
henrykrinkle 10:35AM (6/19/2009)
3 cylinder? Everyone knows a V8 would get just as good if not better mileage because it doesn't have to work as hard!!! No replacement for displacement!!!! (drags knuckles)
I just love that argument.
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JF 12:04PM (6/19/2009)
There are times when that argument is true, especially when you actually have a relatively fuel efficient v8 (LS series, 5.7 HEMI). Obviously that argument doesn't apply at all to a car this small, but still you sound bitter about it for some reason so I thought I'd mention it.
And what does knuckle dragging have to do with anything?
jv2k 2:29PM (6/19/2009)
Are you stupid or something? This isn't even remotely relevant.
The argument is usually used between v6 vs v8s in sports cars and it is pretty valid there.
henrykrinkle 2:58PM (6/19/2009)
Something.
gotsmart 10:43AM (6/19/2009)
The 3-cylinder gas engine in the current-gen smart fortwo is already supplied by a third-party... Mitsubishi.
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RicoChet 10:54AM (6/19/2009)
How about a 1.8L V-Twin like in my motorcycle? Plenty of power and lots of pickup and go, would make that car move quite nicely!
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Epyx 12:31PM (6/19/2009)
...and get horrible MPG making the entire effort pointless.
Steve Lopez 11:23AM (6/19/2009)
I think these Mercedes should be marketed here in the States as Smart Cars.
They might sell well.
Not sure.
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jimmy glick 11:40AM (6/19/2009)
It may be far fetched, but I wonder if a car like this will one day be wearing an S-Class badge instead of C-Class. Hopefully the car industry can stay ahead of the curve with its technology and won't allow tougher regulations to eventually cut them off at the knees.
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Rick 3:36PM (6/19/2009)
Mercedes needs to bring over turbo diesels.
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P.V. 5:06PM (6/19/2009)
I assume this is a response to BMW's move to introduce more DI and/or turbocharged I3s and I4s.
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harpreetsondhi72 2:20AM (6/20/2009)
as
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