Mercedes-Benz says it will add four new engines to its line-up in 2017: one six-cylinder in-line mill in petrol flavour, one of the same but in diesel, a new four-cylinder petrol engine and a new bi-turbo V8.
The new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, codenamed M 256, makes use of a 48 V electrical system, which powers an electric auxiliary compressor and integrated starter-alternator to apparently eliminate turbo-lag.
The Stuttgart-based automaker claims this six-pot offers the “same performance as an eight-cylinder machine while being much more fuel-efficient”. Expect to see this mill (which should make more than 300 kW and 500 N.m) debut in the updated S-Class next year.
The diesel six-cylinder, meanwhile, is codenamed OM 656, and features an aluminium engine block and steel pistons. Again, Mercedes says this unit is more powerful than the mill it will replace (with more than 230 kW expected), yet some 7% more efficient.
Mercedes bills the new V8 bi-turbo engine (M 176) as “one of the most economical V8 petrol engines in the world”. Its special features include cylinder shutoff at part load as well as the positioning of the turbochargers in the “V” between the cylinder banks.
Displacing 4,0 litres, the eight-pot will produce over 350 kW and 700 N.m, but is claimed to consume over 10 percent less fuel than its 335 kW predecessor. Again, expect this mill to make its first appearance in the refreshed S-Class in 2017.
The final newcomer is a 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (M 264) with a specific output of around 100 kW (so a total around 200 kW, in this case). Rumoured to replace certain of the brand’s six-cylinder mills, this new powerplant makes use of twin-scroll turbochargers, a belt-driven 48 V starter-alternator and an electric 48 V water pump.
