2011 Mercedes E-Class
Several new engines are now available for the Mercedes E-Class, starting with the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY model that now comes with a new V6 3.5-liter that produces 302 hp (306 PS / 225 kW) and 273 lb.-ft (370 Nm) of torque, 13 hp and 4 lb.-ft more than the previous version. With this power plant, the E-Class can do the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.3 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are down by 20%, standing at 6.8-7.0 liters / 100 km and 159-164 g/km.
2011 Mercedes E-Class
Another addition is the V8 4.6-liter twin-turbo engine for the E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, which delivers 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) and 443 lb.-ft (600 Nm) of torque, 20 hp and 52 lb.-ft more than before. This engine is eats 17% less fuel and allows the car to reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.9 liters / 100 km, while CO2 emissions are 209 g/km.
2011 Mercedes E-Class
Lastly, many of the models in the E-Class range now feature a new engine start/stop system, along with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS gearbox.
2011 Mercedes E-Class
Source: Mercedes via WCF
Post tags: Tags: engines, mercedes e-class
Mercedes-Benz isn’t just making changes to its performance engines, like the new 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG unit, but also on its mainstream powerplant lineup.
As such, it has just revealed two new direct injection units: a 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 and a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6. Both engines now feature a wide array of new technologies, from an improved direct injection, to a multi-spark system that works together with a direct auto start-stop mechanism.
The main goals of these new engines are to increase power output and to keep fuel averages plus emissions as low as possible.
The V8 engine now develops 435 HP (as opposed to the outgoing 388 HP), while reducing the fuel average by 22%, from 19.12 mpg to 24.75 mpg (on the EU test cycle). CO2 emissions have also dropped by 22%, from 288 g/km to 224 g/km. Last but not least, torque was increased to 516 lb-ft.
The V6 unit suffered a bigger change that its V8 brother, as its V angle was modified, from 90 degrees to 60. This resulted in a decreased weight, affecting both performance and fuel average. The new 3.5-liter engine develops 306 HP (as opposed to the previous 272 HP) and has a torque rating of 272 lb-ft. The unit is 24% more efficient, averaging 30.94 mpg and emitting just 177 g/km of CO2.
Both the twin-turbo V8 and the V6 will be appearing late this year on the S and CL Class models, with other cars getting them in 2011.
Post tags: Tags: engines, mercedes benz cl, mercedes benz s class, Mercedes-Benz, technology
Formula 1 might see a drastic change in the next couple of years if we are to believe a few wild rumors speculating that the current engine formula might be changed, from the current 2.4-liter V8 units to smaller, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder ones.
We’ve already reported on the subject some time ago, but new information has just surfaced. It seems that the current F1 teams may already have decided on the new type of engines and will employ them as early as the 2013 season.
The twin-turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder engines might also see the addition of KERS technology in order to further boost the green credentials of the popular motorsport competition. Heads of carmakers like Ferrari or Mercedes-Benz are already pushing this idea, so we might get to see some big changes in the future.
Do you think the addition of these new engines will increase the popularity of Formula 1 or will it just go by unnoticed by the mainstream media?
Post tags: Tags: engines, formula-1, Motorsport, technology, turbocharger
After presenting the 5-year plan for its newest subsidiary, Chrysler, Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne has just revealed the 2-year plan for its own operations. One of the most important things will be the new 0.9-liter gasoline engine, which is set to see its two-cylinder technology implemented in the 2010 Fiat 500 city car.
But even though its displacement can’t be flaunted, the new unit will offer around 65 HP in the naturally-aspirated variant, and 80 or 105 HP in the turbocharged flavors, courtesy of Fiat’s MultiAir technology. But while this engine won’t specifically cater to performance enthusiasts (which can get an Abarth), it will please eco-conscious motorists, as its small form and weight means that it will have an even better fuel economy and CO2 outputs.
The engine has been confirmed for Europe on the 500, but we might also see it on other small cars like the Panda or Punto Evo. Is this a good move for Fiat? Leave your thoughts in a comment below.
Post tags: Tags: engines, Fiat, fiat-500
American muscle car fans certainly adore the saying “there’s no replacement for displacement”, which basically means that if you want more power, you need a bigger engine. But with bigger engines comes high emissions and a bad fuel average, both of which are frowned upon by the new, stricter emissions standards which are being implemented in Europe or North America.
That is why carmakers are steadily adopting smaller engines and instead of adding the liters to its displacement figure, add a turbocharger (or more) to it, in order to produce the same power. Mercedes-Benz is the latest one to follow this new trend, as one of its board members, Dr. Thomas Weber, revealed that the iconic 6.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8, which is used on many of the performance models made by the German company, will be replaced with a smaller 5.5-liter V8, which will be fitted with a turbocharger.
This move would prove quite beneficial for the company, which will see its fuel and emissions average reach more sensible levels, while also staying true to its fans.
What do you think? Is this a good move for Mercedes? Leave a comment below.
Post tags: Tags: engines, Mercedes-Benz, performance, turbocharging
Volkswagen gave some details about its upcoming strategies to develop more eco-friendly engines. First one is a new technology called “Combined Combustion System” (CCS), technology that mixes the fuel and air ‘homogeneously’ inside the engine, which removes any trace of soot and reduces polluting nitrogen oxides. CCS also requires a synthetic fuel for optimal results.
This new fuel type, called SynFuel, is derived from natural gas and is currently under development by several carmakers. Another engine technology that Volkswagen plans to develop is the “Gasoline Compression Ignition” (GCI) system, which Volkswagen says it will be as clean as petrol motors and as efficient as diesels. GCI works by using spark plugs during start-up and hard acceleration, but relying on sparkless compression ignition, like a diesel, during low load situations, such as cruising on a highway.
Both technologies, the “Combined Combustion System” and the “Gasoline Compression Ignition” are planned to be introduced into production cars by 2015. This is very good news and once again we see that the large car companies are starting to take an environmental approach in their strategies. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: auto, automobile, car, cars, eco-friendly, engines, environment, Volkswagen, vw
