ABU DHABI — A new family of engines will emerge from Mercedes-Benz starting late next year that will rely heavily on turbocharging and direct injection to deliver gains in power, efficiency and CO2 reduction. That's the word from Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the board at Daimler AG Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, who spoke to Inside Line at an event here held for the unveil of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible.
The new engine class, dubbed MoVe for modular V6 and V8s, will power a raft of new products that will begin to arrive late next year. Among them are a fully redesigned CLS sedan, a facelifted R-Class people mover and a renamed and refreshed S-Class coupe, formerly known as the CL coupe.
Dr. Weber said that all eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz models will be turbocharged by the 2011 model year and that includes the high-performance AMG variants. The current 6.2-liter normally-aspirated V8 designed and built by AMG will be replaced by a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 with direct injection.
Non-AMG Mercedes-Benz models will get either a slightly smaller-displacement twin-turbo V8, a twin-turbo V6 or a normally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6. All will use direct injection and most will be designed to integrate with hybrid drive systems.
In 2011, Weber said a C-Class coupe will join a facelifted C-Class lineup. More news will arrive in 2011 with the complete redesigns of the SLK roadster and ML sport utility vehicle. There's even a diesel/electric E-Class Bluetec Hybrid scheduled for production.
Finally, in 2012, an all-new SL roadster arrives. It will be offered in both standard and AMG versions, so it will make full use of the company's new engine technologies to reduce fuel consumption and improve emissions.
Inside Line says: If you like the idea of a big-block Mercedes-Benz better buy an AMG now. Come 2011 it's all about twin turbos and it won't be the same.
[Edmunds]
