Mercedes-Benz confirms inline six revival

[Express]

Mercedes reveals new engine family



German brand confirms high-tech new engine family



01 November 2016





Mercedes-Benz's new inline six-cylinder engine. Photo: Daimler AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars


Mercedes-Benz has dipped into the past to protect the future with a new family of fuel-efficient engines.

The German car maker has revealed details of its new modular engine family, which includes the return of a straight six cylinder configuration.

It will be joined by new four cylinder variants, a diesel six cylinder and petrol V8 that share a common architecture including 90mm bore spacing and can be paired with electrification systems ranging from 12 volt to 48 volt, opening the door to 'mild' hybrid options across the range.

A planned 2017 update to the S-Class range will see the new powertrain systems rolled out before spreading across the Mercedes-Benz vehicle line-up.

The new petrol six-cylinder engine, codenamed M256, sees a return to an inline-six format while introducing new technologies including a 48 volt electrical system which dispenses with the need for belt-driven engine ancillaries, replacing items like the water pump and air conditioning compressor to high-voltage electric control.

The engine also features an electric auxiliary compressor for the turbocharger to reduce turbo lag and improve performance, with Mercedes-Benz claiming it generates V8-rivalling performance - with outputs of over 300kW and 500Nm - with far better fuel economy.

Mercedes-Benz is also introducing its most powerful passenger car diesel engine with the new OM656 straight six diesel. Maintaining the same 500cc per cylinder capacity as the rest of the modular family, the new diesel delivers a 230kW output while using seven percent less fuel than the outgoing V6 diesel. Technical highlights include stepped-bowl combustion, two-stage exhaust turbocharging, Camtronic variable valve timing and Nanoslide-coated cylinder walls.

A new four-litre M176 V8 engine rounds out the range, with targeted outputs of 350kW (up from the 335kW output of the current 4.7 litre engine). With twin turbochargers mounted in the valley between the cylinder banks, cylinder deactivation for low-load driving (shutting down four cylinders when not required) and Camtronic valve timing for reduced pumping losses and greater efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz hasn't neglected its four-cylinder engine range either with the new M264 range targeting a 100kW per litre output, as well as being compatible with the new 48 volt electrical system, twin scroll turbocharging, and a new particulate exhaust filter, which will also appear on the other new petrol engines.

The new engine family represents part of an ongoing €3 billion (A$4.3 billion) investment in combustion engine technology by Mercedes-Benz, and is set to be joined by a range of electric options as part of Mercedes' upcoming EQ range of electric vehicles.

The new engines will be rolled out first in the updated S-Class range next year, and will spread through the range in a series of rolling updates.

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http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...01-gsf5k7.html

[Vesper Martini]

I'm curious about the electric auxiliary compressor, feeble attempts at this in the past use more engine power than they produce. (80 bucks on ebay)

[commodorenutt]

The OEM developments have been far from a computer fan in a box... They use very powerful electric motors, that draw a lot of current, but only for a short period, and this current is usually delivered from lithium batteries, charged via regen braking, or via the alternator.

[Mainforcepatrol]

Originally Posted by Express

This video shows how well GM has done with a V6 and when the Cadillac ATS-V goes up against the AMG C63 S.

It tends to go against the grain of what many Aussie car enthusiasts think of the performance of GM’s V6.

The head to head on the track is a surprise.

It would be nice to see this engine in the next generation Commodore.

I was passing the freight shed at Melb Airport the other day and caught it late and wasn't able to take a pic but there were two Cadillac ATS models on pallets.Here testing for nth America or possible intro to Aus?

[Mainforcepatrol]

Apologies i had just seen the other thread that the Caddy had already been spied.

[SumoDog68]

Mercedes had inline sixes for a very long time - up to W124 E class. They switched to V6 configuration and now planning to revert to inline six again. Eventually they ll make up their mind ;-)

[roddy1960]

G'day..I wonder what the attraction to V6's is anyway.. All the ones in the know will tell you that the best balanced engines are I6's ..Two up two down and two in the middle constantly...BMW know how great a I6 is...so do Australian Fords..
Maybe is a good reason why if you don't see 300,000 plus out of a Ford 6 you've got a dud.. Did you read about the guy in W.A. I think who drove a Falcon 6 in a taxi to 600,000 then bought the old girl when he retired and she's not too long ago hit 960,000...on original engine and still going...Lots see 4-500,000 kays with minimal dramas ... Now that's reliability..I bet the XR6T is all the better for being a straight 6 too..due to lesser overall stress on the crankshaft..
Merc might be onto something again....Too bad the Barra's days are over OR are they ?....Cheers Rod..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Merc might be onto something again....Too bad the Barra's days are over OR are they ?....Cheers Rod..

More like economies of scale to able to build 3, 4 and 6 cylinder engines from a common cylinder on the same production line than anything else.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

G'day..I wonder what the attraction to V6's is anyway.. ..

The V6 engine can be fitted inline or transverse and most cars are mode with transversely mounted engines.

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Merc might be onto something again....Too bad the Barra's days are over OR are they ?....Cheers Rod..

The Barra's days were nearly over before the Falcons demise.