RobbieRob

I was at the dealer tonight picking up a new car(14'E63s) and I was chatting with some of the salesman there about my previous 550. They said that MB has to meet the 36mpg regulations(across the line, average) by a certain year, so they are getting rid of a couple v-8 models that don't sell as well as others, E550, ML550, ETC. Thought that was interesting news. Not sure if this is old news, but figured I would share because I seen an old post about MB maybe bringing the E400 to the states.

thenew3

Yup, the TT V8 is being replaced by the M276 DELA30 3.0 TT V6 for MY15. Around 330hp and 350 lb torque. I would think the price should be a little bit above the E350 but lower than E550. All manufacturers have to meet the tougher CAFE standard. I think by 2016 model year, the corporate average has to be around 35.5 MPG. To get there, manufacturers are going with smaller forced induction engines, hybrids and diesel.

I wonder if they will offer a E300 with the same 2.0T found in the 2015 C300 and lower the starting price a bit from the E350. in theory the E300 should feel as fast as the E350 since the max torque is around the same but comes in at much lower rpms.

RobbieRob

Wow,, Yeah, they said that a 4cylinder will definitely be introduced into the E class at some point in the States.

thenew3

4 cylinder E classes are already very common in many other countries. I wouldn't be surprised to see them here in the US soon. Although I'm sure the US versions will all be turbo and more powerful compared to the 4 cylinders in other countries.

DerekACS

There already is a 4 cylinder diesel sold in North America; it's the 2014 E250 Bluetec !

It remains to seen whether this highly efficient model will be a sales success.
Will the combo of a 4 cylinder engine with a luxury E Class prove to be a
tough sell ? Time will tell.

thenew3

Both Audi and BMW offer standard 4 cylinder (2.0 T) in their A6 and 528i and seem to sell fairly decently in North America. If MB can release a E250 or E300 with a 2.0t that gets around 240 hp and 280lb torque and gets mid to upper 20mpg around town and mid to upper 30mpg highway, and keep it at or below the current E250 Bluetec prices, I'm sure it will do well. Especially if the current high discounts stick around.

K-A

Crazy to think that the TT V6 will be replacing the E550, and not the E350, considering how the V6 TT is on par with the 535i and Audi A6 3.0 in terms of actual performance. Seems as if M-B is fully pulling out of the performance aspect when it comes to E Classes, and going full force in putting that performance in extremes via the E63.

BenzV12

I heard it before I think you refer to CAFE standards ,just plain stupid
If MB's V8 engines pollute the environment what else to say about military vehicles, air craft engines,ocean liners ,cop cars and the list goes on

Everyone in right side of their mind loves the idea of having a fuel efficient car that's a different point but a manufacturer should have liberality and liability of making big engines under no restriction .

Munich77

Yeah I think it is sad. The CAFE standard are so typical of Uncle Sam - pass laws to force behavior. I would rather have it the European Model where they tax you. If you want a big V8 you pay more taxes. That is a fair trade. I think there will be a big left in the E class sedan line by the absence of the E550.

threeMBs

Do not forget the CLS550 in MB's line up (a "different" looking "E" class, but still IMO an "E" class). IMO, it did negatively effect E550s sales once introduced 8 years ago. After all CLS550 is only about $5K or so more than equally equipped E550 and considering easy availability of CLS550 (especially since it will be facelifted later this year ala 2014 E facelift) and scars availability of E550 (especially in colors and with options one might desire), the actual transaction price for similarly equipped cars (minus maybe a 4matic in CLS) currently is about the same.

bigigg

^ exactly.. I think there will be a lot of people going to a CLS from a E that still want the 550 motor. 4 matic and a few options your at 80K

GregTR

Fair trade for the "have"s. Not so much for the "have not"s. Since the externalized cost of a bigger engine is so high, I doubt a bit of tax would offset it. The only thing it would do is cut town on demand a bit but the rich would still f it up for the poor. And that is how capitalism works...

michael61

> It remains to seen whether this highly efficient model will be a sales success.

I agree, only time will tell.

But everyone I tell that my E250 is a four cylinder turbo diesel is pretty amazed at how it actually performs and how quiet it is. I think many (older) folks recall the terrible american diesels from the late 70s/80s.

On the other hand, I have yet to see any ads or other promotion of the E250 here. VW is promoting their "clean diesel TDI" a lot. I doubt few people know that a Mercedes Benz Bluetech is also a "clean diesel."

Tjdehya

Yes because we all know that "the poor" and the "have not's" need to drive new Mercedes vehicles too.

YYZ-E55

What I learned from this post: your salesperson has no idea that s/he has been selling a 4 cylinder E-Class Sedan for several months now. Knowing that, I wouldn't put any value on any of his/her past or future commentary.

BTW - congrats on the E63, it's a truly amazing car!

RobbieRob

They were talking about a 4 cylinder gas engine(in the States), they are aware of the Diesel, but the diesel is a totally different animal then the gas. The torque on a diesel, with the way they gear them, makes it feel just as responsive and quick as a E350(pretty close compared to a 4 gasser).


Thanks regarding the 63, I am so happy. The thing is so nice and the exhaust note just makes me smile, like a schoolgirl getting asked to the prom....lol

Tjdehya

Yeah congrats! Lets see some pics please. You didn't even post any in the E63 forum...
You broke the unspoken forum rule.

RobbieRob

I'm sorry, I picked it up last night and it figures, it was pouring out so now I have to get her all clean before I post pics... They will be on here on Saturday unless I get time before.

mystery905

I don't think they will release a 4 cylinder E class called the E300.

The E300 nomenclature is already in use in Canada for a V6 with 248 hp.

El Cid

It's Corporate AVERAGE Fuel Efficiency. It is the average of all cars sold, so doubt the E550 would have that big an impact considering all the other V8 cars MB sells. Probably some corporate decision that with all the other MB's with V8's, not enough of a business rationale to continue E550.
If they are actually going to discontinue it.
Don't forget, V6's,4's and diesels are geting much better at performance than they used to be. Purchasing a V8 for two extra cylinders is not what it used to be.

threeMBs

A. They're discontinuing E550.
and
B. There's a day a night difference in performance of MB's current V6s vs. its own V8s TT (2012-on). The upcoming V6 TT will greatly reduce the enormous difference in performance (it will be a bit more powerful than V8 in E500 from 2003-2006 and not much less powerful than V8 in E550 from 2007-2011). A hint: an hour drive in 2012-on E550/CLS550 will make you understand how false the highlighted statement is.

Arrie

No gap for me. I own one...

petee1997

The V8 engine is going the way of the dodo bird. With turbos in small displacement engines capable of producing big hp, these big heavy inefficient engines will soon be obsolete. As a percentage of sales, V8 engines have a minuscule share.

My next MB will be a TT 6cyl. S class short wb.

alsyli

I think this part of your statement is also important. While I imagine the main motivation behind getting rid of V8-powered cars is a company-wide push for better fuel economy, getting rid of the E550 specifically was probably also motivated by the fact that they just don't sell of that model (I assume). In Los Angeles, MBs are a dime-a-dozen. I've seen very few E550s since the W212 was introduced (and I also see very few C350s, which is why I'm surprised that they're introducing a C400).

What's the point of offering a model that doesn't sell and drags down corporate fuel economy?

Zetsche told one car mag recently that V8-powered MBs would probably only con't to exist in the US....

Munich77

Ditto here - best decision ever.

I think that part of the reason for the E550's demise is also the fact that it is so close in price for the CLS that the E550 cuts into CLS sales.