Mercedes starts engine revamp
17 December 2004
Mercedes-Benz is radically overhauling its engine ranges with more powerful and efficient V6, V8 and V12 units over the next 12 to 18 months.
Mercedes-Benz is radically overhauling its engine ranges with more powerful and efficient V6, V8 and V12 units over the next 12 to 18 months.
The C-class will be the first to get one of the new wave of engines when a C320 CDi diesel goes on sale at the end of January 2005 with a likely price-tag of around £28,500.
Despite its 320 designation, the C-class actually has the same 3.0-litre 221bhp V6 engine as the new M-class 4x4.
The 3.0-litre diesel unit will be installed under the bonnet of other models from spring 2005, including the E-class. However, Mercedes will not confirm whether it will be available in the S-class before the new version of the luxury saloon arrives towards the end of 2005. The 3.0-litre engine will replace 177bhp 2.7-litre and 204bhp 3.2-litre diesels. It will also be available in de-tuned 187bhp form.
Larger and more powerful V8 diesel engines also make their debut in 2005 alongside new V8 petrols but no further details have yet been released. The company is also staying tight-lipped about its V12 range-topping diesel engine, which will be on sale by the spring of 2006.
All the new diesel engines meet the latest Euro IV emissions requirements, so will briefly qualify for the 3% reduction in company car tax if registered before the rules change in January 2006.
- For details on the new S-class and more than 120 other new cars arriving next year, get the Star Cars supplement free with the February issue of What Car? on sale from December 27.
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