JTK44

Just read this article in the NY Times which I found interesting.

It explains the new i6 48 volt hybrid engines.

The article is:"Turbocharging Jumps From Racetrack to Cul-de-Sac"

superangrypenguin

I know this thread has very little to do with the E class specifically, at least not until the next M256 comes into the W213. That said a few things stood out to me. Only $200 to add a turbo? This is offset by the cheaper development costs for an I6 vs a V6? This last part is interesting. Why? MB has decided to use an I6 for their MHEV platform "launch", but yet VAG is still sticking with a V6 + MHEV.

I'm not insinuating one is better or worse, or one is the right way or the wrong way to go about this, just that it's different, and it made me wonder.

JTK44

Just my take:

The main advantage of a V6 over an inline 6 is space which is important in a FWD vehicle.


The i6 is a balanced engine, while the V6 is not. The valve train on the I6 is half that of an V6.


I believe BMW stayed with the i6 and never went to the V6.

superangrypenguin

Ok, and this is an interesting point. Audi, with its 4 bangers over the years, have mounted the engines longitudinally on the Audis but transversely on the VWs. Don't ask me why - I have no idea.

With the I6/V6 thing, On the A6 and up, these have ginormous engine bays, capable of fitting an, alleged, V12 (on the D5 A8). I still don't get Audi's decision making on a V6 vs an I6. And you gotta keep in mind, MB has always suffered from lower margins than Audi/BMW, and something Zietsche was always cognizant amount. Maybe this is a way to fix that, but that said - for some reason, Audi's still sticking with a more expensive (allegedly) V6 design.

Weird.

rbrylaw

Here's an interesting article on this subject: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...56-inline-six/

JTK44

Here is the article: