Automakers are often touting their latest V8 engines nowadays as powerplants capable of V6 efficiency. Next, the companies would boast a new V6 capable of 4-cylinder efficiency. So, how would you imagine Mercedes-Benz will go about introducing its latest 4-cylinder engine? According to Mercedes, the new engine will delivery efficiency numbers comparable to the 3-cylinder BMW engine used for its new range of "i" cars.
Head of powertrain strategy Jurgen Doring told Autocar, "We won't have a three-cylinder engine. Our four-cylinder will be as good as BMW's three-cylinder."
The new four-cylinder engine from Mercedes is co-developed with French automaker Renault. According to Mercedes, the new engine will meet the 2020 EU tailpipe emissions target of 95 g/km, a projected reduction by 45 g/km. The new engine will be found int he new MFA platform of Mercedes-Benz vehicles including the new A-Class and B-Class compacts.
While Mercedes is distributing its attention towards efficiency and carbon footprints, the German automaker also assures that the company will not abandon its range of full-size luxury cars, the true essence of the brand. Doring says, "Even in 2020, the Mercedes customer will still be able to buy a big, powerful car."
Doring reveals that Mercedes-Benz will aggressively apply weight reduction and plug-in hybrid powertrains to greatly reel in emissions and efficiency. Mercedes believes that it will eventually bring its large vehicles to emission figures as low as 60g/km. In fact, Doring even claimed, "The E300 hybrid's 109 g/km is just the start."
In addition, Doring also stated that "Every time we design a new module, the weight target is a reduction of 14 percent."
An incredibly ambitious endeavor, it just goes to show how optimistic the auto industry remains in pushing the envelope in engineering and innovation.
Mercedes-Benz will be finalizing its development of the 4-cylinder engine soon and we will be sure to reveal new details regarding the new powerplant in the months ahead.
