Saw this MB Blog on Twitter:

An interesting news appeared these days: Mercedes-Benz is said to launch a new series of 6-cylinder engines in 2015 which will reportedly switch from the current "V" architecture in favour of the in-line solution. The information was revealed by a company engineer at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.


If it happens to be true, the introduction of I6 diesel and petrol units into Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles will entirely be an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise. Even though such powerplants need some extra space in the engine bay, issues regarding a smooth and efficient functioning don't pose serious challenges for the engineers as the V6s do. With the use of state-of-the-art materials and casting technics, the unit's kerb weight can be further optimized. Moreover, the new straight-six engines from Mercedes-Benz will feature turbocharging, which brings extra advantages related to fuel economy, CO2 emission levels, maximum output, high-end torque and dynamic performance compared to the current direct injection found in the 3.5-litre gasoline V6 with 306 hp.

It will take time to digest this report and even more to convince Daimler officials to reveal, little by little, the secrets behind the future I6 engines, if they will eventually be launched. The Blue Efficiency Power units developed specially for the new generation of the Actros truck make use of the six-cylinder in-line arrangement and could serve as a solid knowledge basis to develop similar engines for Mercedes-Benz cars.

 

Hey nice.

 

Just in time for graduation!

 

I'm hoping that Mercedes steps their game up in the "sport" department without having to buy an AMG. I'm mean all they had to do with the "sport" models to separate them from the regular model is add some stiffer sway bars, better brakes, and a little tuning and wallah. Because right now my 2010 Sport.....isn't so sporty compared to the base model 328. Just saying.

 

MBZ caters for different market as compared to BMW. BMW is a sports with some luxury while the MBZ is for luxury with some sportiness. I bought the Bimmer for that purpose and the same with the MBZ. It looks like they have this unwritten agreement not to encroach on others foot. But the M and the AMG is a free for all (OK lets include Audi RS). Just my take.

 

Great! In 2021 when the GLK is 10 years old will I be able to get parts? I can't see dropping an engine that is installed in virtually every model line they make.

 

Benz understands I6 technology. Their 280E Inline 6 Twincam was a marvelous engine.

 

this sounds promising, If they do actually come out with a straight 6 and there is force induction as well, then It will be able to compete inline with the 335i, and will also open up the market for aftermarket performance.

 

Having six cylinders is a waste of fuel. The speed cannot be fully utilised on our roads & they create more pollution.

Six cylinders are best left for commercial vehicles which can used the power.

 

It's funny how BMW wants to move to V shaped and Merc just said how they want to go back to I.. Well I think Inline engines are buttery smooth but balance wise they aren't too great.. rather have a V shaped 6.

 

The BMW I6 is the result of nearly 50 years of refinement. The CS 3.0, and later the Bavaria come to mind. These engines of course based on an extended I4 2.0L engine used in the 2002, which put BMW on the map in the USA in 1968.

Seeing, frankly, how lame the Mercedes 3.0L V6 is with its 228 HP (the 3.5 CGI is finally producing reasonable power), one wonders if it will take MB the same 50 years to get to the extraordinary levels of smoothness and efficiency that BMW has achieved.

Some comment that the I4 engine used in the C250 runs like a piece of farm equipment. Would extending this block 2 more cylinders accomplish anything?

The problem with the current V6 3.0L engine is that it breathes so horribly, the intake configuration strangles the airflow. It would be interesting to see a V6 3.0 CGI, with a proper airflow intake design, with added FI (either super or turbocharged). After all, Mercedes arguably make more turbos that any other manufacturer, mostly diesel trucks.

 

Isn't the V harder to keep in balance than the inline engine?

 

Yes. An inline six engine is in perfect primary and secondary mechanical balance. A V6 engine suffers secondary balance problems requiring the fitment of balance shafts.

Benz is more than capable of building high performance engines. They instead design for smooth running & longevity.

 

I'd personally love to see them come with I-6 TT engines.

More power, more fuel efficiency, and TORQUE. Gobs & Gobs of torque.

I-6's can produce tons more torque than V-6's, and not to mention how stout they are.

As much as I like Merc, their power numbers really are pretty..... wait.. make that absolutely LAME.

228 HP out of a 3.0L V6 ? Really? My ex-wife's Tiburon made more power than that back in 03 !!

Toyota Camry's make more power than these cars.

For the price they're asking for a C350 now, you can get a *very lightly* used Lexus ISF, with 430HP !

 

What ever MB do, I hope it will put their entry performance and gearbox performance options in the same, no, in a better league than BMW and Audi's 3 liter diesel range. Their latest entries aren't kw and torque wise on the same level as the Benz. But geewizz. Their gear ratios, lighter overall weight, throttle, gearbox response and no turbo lag (immediate power and response) make it much more exiting to drive than my "very much loved" 2013 C350 CDI. Even less fuel and carbon emissions. I will with my next purchase consider these and hope I can stay with MB. I love the prestigious brand and class, but love performance also and want to know I have best of both as I pay the most to have THE brand (Mercedes Benz, don't tell me to buy a AMG, Lets stick to 3.0 liter diesel and just be better in both class and performance. 3.0 L diesel is performance and class vs economics a well placed car)

 

I6's and V6's each have their own pros and cons. As does anything.
An I6 in theory takes less power produced to move the engine itself, and thus creates, more BHP but in saying that, it all has to do with the setup (intake, N/A or F/I etc. etc.)
To see Benz utilize a straight six would be indifferent to me, what would be most interesting is not the use of the I6 itself, but how they go about tuning them.
As for engine room, yes it would mean a larger cabinet, but that would also create more room for aftermarket performance (my C3350 4Matic's engine cabinet is pretty much SQUEEZED in their.) But nothing the engineers at Mercedes can't overcome when it comes to making the extra length, or width, depeding on how they set it up, work.
Especially considering they spend 1 million GBP a DAY in reasearch and innovation.

I think as stated above, when Mercedes is making cars they are geared towards Luxury with some sportiness, until you go AMG.

I like the idea of them switching things up, I just hope they don't do it just for the sake of doing it.. I would rather them have decent reasoning for the switch and a solid plan for how they're going to make it work.

I have always been a fan of the straight six, but I also think that Mercedes M272 is a beautiful engine and when tuned right, even if that means aftermarket tuning, it can be a marvelous and fun engine for someone who also has to deal with daily driving.

On another note, I think the M272 is one of the best sounding V6's I have ever heard...
Just my take.

If you want mad performance with a touch of luxury, go buy a BMW..
If you want a CLASSY car you can get out of in your business suit before going to a conference, get in after you just make a 10million dollar deal and secure a nice comission and have a celeberatory drive on the way home, buy a Mercedes .
Once again those are just my thoughts on the situation.
BMW's are classy too but I dunno.. Just look at the 7series versus the S-class...
I would take an S65 over an M6 anyday...

Back to the point I guess...
V6 vs I6 doesn't make a difference to me. Just do it right.

Engine cabinet room for mods does sounds nice though...
They are slimmer so I mean either way you extend the cabinet you still have either extra room on each side or extra room front and back.

 

A 2009 328i (the rightful competitor) with 3.0L I6 only makes 230 HP/200 ft tq, where a 2009 C300 3.0L V6 makes 228 Hp/221 ft tq.

Your comparison regarding the Camry is like a $60k c63 amg vs a $200k California and the C63 have similar HP and much more torque. They are different cars, brands(target market) etc. You can't simply compare the two.

Please stop referring to used car market, because with a price of C350 now you can probably get a *very lightly* C63 AMG and it's better than ISF in every way.

btw a 03 Tiburon only makes 134 hp...

 

Hahahahaha agreed...

I can get you a right hand drive R34 and make 500+ HP out of it for under $15k probably... But that doesn't mean I should do that instead of buying my $60k Benz...
Unless you wanna be thinking... What are these weird bars around me?
Why is there no AirCon... Why doesn't my CD player talk to me?
And finally, why does it feel like I fell off a bridge every time I run over a pebble?

 

Why are people referencing the old series of Chrysler-era V6 engines and complaining? 228 hp was class competitive when they came out. There was a time when 225 or so was the MOST you could get from a BMW 3 series I6 (not counting M3). It really seems like some people here take MB stats or functionality from 10 years ago and think it's what is realistic now. Time to buy a new car, people! MB's modern V6 range is 250 and 300 hp (in the States).

At any rate...I don't see why MB would create a new I6 right after creating the new M276 (and the V8). Volvo uses I6 as does BMW. I6 is not groundbreaking in anyway.

I want MB to continue working on durability and longevity. I never want them to lose sight of the fact that traditional MB buyers keep their cars for 20+ years.