MB-JIM

I read that the E350 CGI engines will begin this autumn. I don't know if that is world wide or just for Europe like the CLS which has had a CGI engine version in Europe.
Has anyone heard anything about phasing in CGI engines in the W204's?
I'm interested in getting a W204 Elegance model but have concerns about only being able to get the 228 hp model in the US after owning a 2006 C350.

Germancar1

I doubt if MB will use the current CGI engine from the CLS350 in the W204 worldwide. My guess is that they're working on something else for the 3.0 and 3.5L engines, the latter of which might be turbocharged. What I can't figure out is why Mercedes hasn't gone the direct injection route across the board because of fuel concerns when BMW and Audi have direct injection here in the U.S. up and down their lines (well Audi does at least, BMW only has 2 DI engines in the U.S.). My guess is that the whatever they do the hp will look like this, the C300 will be around what the C350 is today, 260-270hp and the C350 of course will join the 300hp club with like 312hp or something like that so MB giving MB the edge they usually enjoy when it comes to hp. We should find out for sure when the SLK facelift is shown. The SLK brought out the current 3.5L so look for it to debut the next wave of V6s.

M

MB-JIM

Thanks Germancar1. I did notice a report that the SL and CLK's will be getting a 350 engine with 306 hp by the end of next year. I wonder if that could be the current 292 hp engine in the CLS but with a more efficient exhaust?
I certainly hope that MB will stop holding back their latest engines.

QQQ

From a logistics standpoint it makes no sense to produce two 3.5L engines when one is better than the other. On the other hands, the marketing people would like to slot in the better engines top down the range to boost sales.

Maybe we see the CGI when the W204 facelifts in 2010?

Germancar1

The W204 facelift is too far off with everyone pushing 300hp in the V6 class right now. The 2009 V6 will be the one to see. I have no idea what it will be, but you can bet the facelifted CLS, SLK and SL (Europe) will all have the new V6 and with 300hp being the new standard you can be sure that MB will surpass that by about 10-15hp. We should know something by Sept when the facelifted SLK is shown, which will come here next spring as a 2009 model and then a few shorts month later the 09's C's arrive with the new engine. Same thing Mercedes did back in 2005 when the SLK arrived with the new 3.5 for the 2005 model year, all the other models got the engine a few months later as 06' models.

Also, with the V8s now pushing 382hp, there is room for a 300-320hp V6 easily.

M

QQQ

I hope so, but I am more eager to see the CDI making to W204. C320 CDI with 389 lb-ft torque is very impressive.

Germancar1

Oh I'm sure we'll get a C320 Bluetec at some point too. Mercedes is just playing is safe for quality's sake with a relatively simple launch. For 2009 I bet we get the diesel, Advanced Agility Pack, C63 AMG, and some of those missing features like Keyless go etc.

M

QQQ

And 4Matic with diesel.

QQQ

And 4Matic with diesel.