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Mercedes planning four-cylinder C-Class for US

rybo submitted on 04/03/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 8:27 AM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[29] user comments | category: Misc News

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Mercedes planning four-cylinder C-Class for US

While the rest of the world can opt for fuel-efficient petrol and diesel four-cylinder versions of the C-Class, the entry-level model in the U.S. sports a V6 powerplant.

Given the current concerns about climate change and the increasing cost of fuel, officials at Mercedes-Benz are now considering adding a four-cylinder engine to its U.S. lineup and are already testing a new 1.4L supercharged version. Read Article

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w209w114 - 4/3/2008 9:50:32 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Cool. I think a 4 cylinder for a C-Class is a good idea provided you get 200+ horsepower. I had an 05 C230K which had the 1.8L Supercharged 4 with 189hp and it was potent enough for me, and I'm sure for most people as well. Too bad it got V6 fuel economy though, cant wait to see this next model.

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Doukas - 4/3/2008 3:23:19 PM

0 Boost

You don't have to wait at all.....it'll look the same as the C class now.

GreenPlease - 4/3/2008 10:38:42 PM

+2 Boost

I agree. An I4 with ~200hp would do well in the C class.

To me, it is ironic that MB would have a 7 speed transmission as standard in so many of its vehicles. Having more gears benefits smaller engines much more than it benefits large engines. E.G. CLS 55 compared to the CLS 63. The former has a 5spd while the later has a 7spd. Acceleration numbers for the two are essentially identical.

The mentioned 1.4L I4 is part of the KDI family: Kompressor Direct Injection. As I understand it, the KDI will use some form of exotic supercharging in the form of either a geared supercharger or a pressure wave supercharger. The KDI will also sport third generation piezeo injectors capable of ~5 individual injections per stroke.

The most outstanding feature of the KDI engines will be its electromagnetic valve system. The valve train will be completely independent of the crank and will allow engineers to use some pretty nifty tricks. Low-end torque will be greatly improved and the engine will be able to revert to Atkinson cycle while at cruise. Running Atkinson (instead of Otto) should help improve fuel economy by ~6%.

Americans have a tough time buying into smaller engines. Why? I have to think it's an education issue. They simply don't know what makes a great engine/car. All they know is "there's no replacement for displacement" which is simply not true anymore.

Brands such as MB and BMW would do well to introduce performance cars to dispel this myth. If really high quality components were used, a 2.0L I4 with sequential turbo-charging could deliver nearly 380hp and a similar amount of torque.

07G35J - 4/3/2008 10:00:42 AM

+1 Boost

I still don't understand why we can't get more diesel engines as an option here in the U.S. Is there some kind of EPA restriction or requirement that carmakers can't meet, or what?

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w209w114 - 4/3/2008 10:13:53 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Well, Europe supposedly has stricter emission laws than the U.S. as a whole but Im going to sat the main reason is that diesels have not yet been truly embraced by Americans. But they will be evenutally just as in Europe

Bmw8ter - 4/3/2008 10:22:00 AM

+3 Boost

Passenger diesels(cars) that cannot meet the required 50 state emissions standard, cannot be imported into the U.S.

Bmw8ter - 4/3/2008 10:23:30 AM

+3 Boost

Basically, if it meets California's emission standards for diesel cars, it's safe to assume it'll be 50 state legal.

1970toyotamarc - 4/3/2008 11:33:05 AM

+2 Boost

Euro IV emissions for diesel vehicles in Europe are less stringent than Bin 5 US standards. Ive posted the comparisons before. When Euro V and VI take over starting September 09, that will change. Thus cleaner diesels are now being made that can handle both Euro and US standards. The last batch of diesels (before Bluetec et al) met the easier Euro standards but not T2B5, and certainly not CARB requirements.

The US feds did not used to be as strict. Diesels could be sold in non-CA emissions states. When the feds adopted T2B5 requirements, that changed, and now federal standards are stricter than Euro standards.

These new cleaner diesels now can meet the BASIC federal and CA requirements. Not because they were designed to meet US standards, but because the Euro standards for diesels were finally tightened (in the upcoming V and VI). Euro brands would not have been able to sell their diesels in their home turf due to tougher standards. In fact there is the possibility that since Euro V and VI are coming, it will be even harder for the Euro brands to sell on the continent, hence the push to sell diesels in the US.

07G35J - 4/3/2008 11:59:43 AM

+1 Boost

Thanks, 1970toyotamarc.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/3/2008 12:02:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Toyotamarc, what do you mean it will be "even harder" to sell diesels in Europe? As if it's hard now?

1970toyotamarc - 4/3/2008 12:14:54 PM

0 Boost

"even harder"
talk about nitpicking, you know I do this while at work.....

let me change it to just..."it will BE HARD for the Euro brands to sell on the continent, hence the push to sell diesels in the US."

I guess I meant harder than selling them in the soon to be less stringent US. (Tho CA states may up their standards again)

ghosthunter - 4/3/2008 12:53:09 PM

+3 Boost

why would 1970toyotamarc get deboosted for stating the truth? give credit where is due.
w209w114 is also correct. Eurpoean has a stricter emission laws than the U.S. as a whole, but CA has its own emission standards, which is strictest among all the emssion stardard as far as i know.

1970toyotamarc - 4/3/2008 7:11:46 PM

+1 Boost

I could get deboosted for breathing on this site.

I should change my name to 1970IsuzuMarc. That might be safe. Anyone hate Isuzu???

gooch - 4/3/2008 10:18:02 AM

+1 Boost

When I test drove a C300 Sport with a manual, it was smooth, but noticeably slower than the 325i manual. With a four, I can only imagine how it would feel. It's not so much the numbers, but how the car feels when making the numbers. I predict the C class four-cylinder will be for people who just want a Mercedes.

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1995e34 - 4/3/2008 10:23:27 AM

+1 Boost

...as the c-class 4 cylinder always has been (except for 190e 16v).

i don't want one, but i know they sold plenty of them when it was previously available.

Wimmer - 4/3/2008 11:02:43 AM

+5 Boost

A 4-cylinder C-Class is not only a car for people who want a Mercedes but also for people who don't need the extra power which the C230, C280 and C350 etc. make.

I myself, as a German and living in Germany, find a C180 Kompressor to be more appealing than say a C230 or C280. You get pretty much the same car but with a weaker engine. A what exactly does weak mean? I've testdriven the C180 Kompressor, C200 Kompressor, C200 CDI and C220 CDI and I found them all to be zippy (well, the C200 CDI was pretty slow) and more than adequate for everyday real driving. The C180K and C200K are very impressive cars in their own right as the engine is very refined for a 4-cylinder. It actually feels like a 6-cylinder in smoothness due to counter rotating balance shafts and TwinPulse, no joke!

Not sure how Americans will accept it since "every car there needs to do 0-60 in 2.3 seconds, even economy cars"!!!!

ghosthunter - 4/3/2008 12:49:50 PM

+1 Boost

Wimmer, i entirely agree with you if 4 cylinder C class carries a enonomy car's price.
but will it carry a enonomy car's price? no. so i expect more for the money.

gooch - 4/3/2008 1:37:10 PM

+1 Boost

You've got to remember too, that Mercedes has built its image here as being exclusive and the best. It wasn't until the 190-Class arrived that it had an "entry" level luxury car.
It didn't drive like the kind of Mercedes most Americans were used to. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy four-cylinder efficiency just as much as the next guy, but I -- as with many other Americans -- was reared on cars that could get up and go. In other words, torque. Four-cylinder Benzes struggle with that kind of instant go.
On the other hand, it really makes you concentrate on driving when you have to pay closer attention to what you're doing because of the performance limitations of your motor.

Wimmer - 4/3/2008 2:43:32 PM

+1 Boost

Well, when you buy a Mercedes part of what makes the high price tag is the "prestige pricing" that the company practices. Part of what you pay for is the name. I don't think it will really be an issue because those people who want a Mercedes want a Mercedes. ;-)

@ Gooch,

Actually the C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor are very quick and the engine response is excellent if it has the standard manual transmission. The automatic on the other hand dumbs the engine response down a bit when flooring the car from a standstill. I've tested these cars on Autobahn and both of them, especially the C200 Kompressor offer fluid acceleration all the way to about 160-170 km/h. Only then do they slow down a bit and the engines become a bit loud. But you obviously cannot drive such speeds legally in the US so it doesn't matter.

gooch - 4/4/2008 9:56:21 AM

+1 Boost

@ Wimmer

You said the magic words -- with a manual transmission. When I asked the dealer here to test drive a stick, he raised an eyebrow and said, "You do realize you're in metro DC?" I said, "Every day, do you have a manual or not?" It happened that they did and they let me take it out alone for a bit. Maybe I'm being unfair to the car, but it just wasn't as hard-edged as the 325i (w/sport package), and I like that edge (please don't think I'm some punk kid; I'm 43).
Given my experiences with German cars, I'm sure the C180 and C200 are quick once the engines are in the torque band, but I just expected more out of the C300. I really liked its multimedia system and the instruments.

MZauto - 4/3/2008 11:57:25 AM

+1 Boost

Great idea, at least for now with gas price so high.

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Heyhuub - 4/3/2008 12:09:04 PM

0 Boost

The Supercharged 4 cilinders have plenty of grunt and V6 like torque.

Example, the C200 Kompressor has 250nm of torqeu, thats the same amount as the 6 cylinder BMW 325i.

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1970toyotamarc - 4/3/2008 12:12:19 PM

-1 Boost

From Edmunds.....

"To make the car acceptable to Mercedes customers, engineers tell us that it would have a higher level of 'perceived performance' than it actually delivers. A louder exhaust and ultraquick-response throttle settings would give the driver the 'perception of performance.'"

NICE!!!!!

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ghosthunter - 4/3/2008 12:57:13 PM

+1 Boost

i remember BMW 325 i use to drive has this "issue". it feels fast, loud engine/exhaust sound, but slow.

in my opinion, i don't like it. I perfer Infiniti, feels fast and is fast. or Lexus, feels slow, but fast.

Spectator - 4/3/2008 12:55:45 PM

+1 Boost

I like how the author has express the need for 4 cylindar engines as:

"Given the current concerns about climate change and the increasing cost of fuel..."

When in reality it is becuase of the new US CAFE standards.

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w209w114 - 4/4/2008 8:31:43 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Where have u been lately?

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Bored - 4/3/2008 7:46:23 PM

+1 Boost

I say bring the diesels and the 4 bangers. I have an '01 SLK230 Kompressor and I'm not longing for more power at all. Believe me, it's just right.

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huu76 - 4/5/2008 1:28:17 AM

+1 Boost

This will be better than the crappy C230 6 cylinder that we have.

I remember the old C230 Kompressor 4banger sedan had such a good power band (I think it was actually a 2.2L) before they dropped it a few years ago in favour of the aforementioned hunk of crap engine.

However, its $5-6000 cheaper than the C300 here.

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