Ola Källenius, the executive responsible for research and development at Mercedes-Benz, has confirmed that the Stuttgart-based automaker plans to phase out V6 petrol engines in favour of its new straight-six units.
Speaking to Road and Track after the reveal of the new straight-six-powered Mercedes-AMG CLS53, E53 Coupé and E53 Convertible, Källenius said that more inline six-cylinder models would follow.
Interestingly, the decision to move away from the V6 towards the M256 inline-six – which essentially features a mild-hybrid system, thanks to the so-called “EQ Boost” starter-alternator housed in an electric motor fitted between the engine and transmission – stems from a surge in the use of the four-cylinder engines in Mercedes-Benz products.
“Because [the] four-cylinder is the dominating engine formula for the world, it makes more sense now to tack the six onto that,” Källenius told the US publication.
“That’s opposed to the previous strategy, where you have the V8 and the V6 of the same tree. In terms of our overall engine production strategy, the new four-cylinder and six-cylinder are branches of the same tree. The combustion chamber of those are essentially the same, the cylinder distance of 90 mm is the same, and you can run these engines over the same production line,” he explained.
Källenius went on to add that the V6 would likely be slowly phased out rather than being suddenly axed from the brand’s range. He also revealed that Mercedes-Benz did not plan to lower its straight-six into the C-Class, before suggesting that the upcoming E53 Sedan would soon replace the V6-powered E43 version.
