Auto Spies Exclusive: Mercedes Benz set to take on BMW?

Dear 001,

Mercedes Benz getting set to take on BMW in the "Sporty" stakes

Mercedes Benz is about to unleash what it hopes will be a range of engines to defeat BMW in the "Sporty" stakes, with collection of 3 additional direct injection V6 motors destined predominantly for the C-Class, E-Class, but also likely to appear in the new SLK and possibly in a 3-litre S-Class hybrid with electric power too (as apposed to the 3.5 which all the magazines are talking about).

All the engines develop around 78 bhp per litre, so in the absence of exact figures from MB, expect a 160-bhp 2.0-litre (if it makes production) a 195-bhp 2.5-litre and a 235-bhp 3.0-litre (thats better than the current 3.2). With balancer shaft, direct ignition system, new-technology hot-film air mass sensor, catalytic converters arranged in close engine proximity, aluminium crankcase, forged, four-bearing crankshaft, lightweight engine with weight-reduced pistons and connecting rods, linear lambda control, twin-cartridge air filter with integral resonators, engine-mounted control unit, infinitely adjustable intake and exhaust camshafts, oil/water heat exchanger, variable intake manifold with length control flaps and tumble flaps in the intake ducts, four-valve technology with roller-type rocker arms and hydraulic valve clearance adjustment, heat management with electronic mapped thermostat and (phew) cylinder liners in low-friction aluminium-silicon technology - this is more than just a mild overhaul!

Phew...Was that ever a mouthful!!!!

In it's various forms, this new power unit will provide the bulk of MB's engines for the next 6-8 years and all of them will be connected to Mercedes Benz groovy new G7-Tronic 7-speed automatic gearbox further improving and enhancing the new engines performance, emissions and mpg - making the 2.0-litre V6 an acceptable performer - even in the heavier E-Class. Having listened to these units running on a test bed in the father-land, I can confirm to the Spies that MB's slightly rough sounding engine note (in comparison to BMW's sweet sixes) has been irradiated - marvellous!

Although some of this information has been bouncing around for a while in magazines and on the web, what these media formats cannot convey is just how fine these beasties sound.

All these cute little engines will start appearing in a showroom near you soon, possibly first in the hybrid S-Class, but most likely the face lifted E or replacement C next year.

djo715 - 9/17/2004 12:09:32 AM

+1 Boost

My $0.02 - I don't think MB is going to win any customers from BMW even if they win the HP war.

Offer a manual transmission in the C & E class cars, it may do wonders to find your "sport-oriented" customers. (instead of the now ubiqitous "sport" badge.)

More generally, I think the divergence on their product line - esp with these niche cars like the 4 door coupe (CLS) - are taking away from execution on their C, E, S class cars.

lewissalem - 9/17/2004 6:25:50 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed. Improve the C-Class to compete with the 3 series. Give it a smoother shifter, more HP and better suspension

Threepoint1415926 - 9/17/2004 4:43:50 PM

+1 Boost

I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about BobW…. Since Lexus came on the scene, Mercedes have stiffened their seats and suspension, not softened. Since you use to be a Mercedes dealer, surely you would know that... My 92, 400E has much softer suspension and MUCH MUCH softer seats than my E430 Does…

Jon

BobW - 9/17/2004 5:35:10 PM

+1 Boost

I wasn't a dealer, merely a salesman.

No, overall, Benz has been softening things up for more than a decade. The leather used to be thicker and stiffer than the current softer hand (some customers complained about it). They also put a layer of cushier material under the leather and on top of their good supportive seats, and the suspensions have definately been tuned for a better ride. When your E430 body came out, Automobile magazine complained several times of the softer suspension affecting the high speed tracking (I never thought it was a problem, they seemed to track fine at speed). I would say your E430 handles better than your old 400E because of slightly wider stance, stiffer structure and advances in suspension tuning, but not a stiffer suspension.

Check the magazines, you will find comments in a number of articles on the Lexus influence, not only on M-B, but all the German brands. I remember because it always irritated me to read the accusation, regardless, it's true. However, I've driven the various brands at M-B track events and the Euro's outhandled everything else (BMW's usually felt the best to me, and any other M-B salesman that was being honest).

I'm hoping with all the great product hitting Benz showrooms, they dramatically improve their quality and retake the lead for design, technology and quality. But, they have made the promise before without result.

BW

Threepoint1415926 - 9/17/2004 7:42:33 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry Bob, please excuse my mistake (Dealer). Back to discussion at hand though. Automobile magazine or not, I must disagree with you. I have the means to know the difference because I have both vehicles sitting in my garage. It is to my knowledge that Mercedes harder leathers were replaced with softer feeling ones that were also much less durable and thinner due to cost cutting measures. I would hope to think you would agree seeing as how you’re not really a fan of Mercedes quality. They, in fact made this transition on the W140 in 1996 I believe, with great dissatisfaction from Mercedes customers. You could view it, I suppose, as following Lexus by way of cutting cost of production to decrease price. But to assume that it was a move to copy the tactile standards of Lexus may be a little far fetched. I’m not saying that Lexus doesn’t do a fine job with production efficiency and consumer tactile sustenance; otherwise they would not be as highly revered as they are. But I digress… The seats in general, leather feel not withstanding, are much more firm than I’ve ever felt from earlier Mercedes of a decade past as you like to point out. All one has to do (more importantly, all I have to do) is sit in both while they’re parked side by side.

To the point that the E430 doesn’t track well at high speed, I’ve only noticed this if the pavement is heavily grooved with tire wear. This is common of all cars, even from the likes of the most exotic manufactures. I’ve found that it’s more than sufficient at high speed and this tracking problem, I’ve never noticed without the above prerequisites. Whether the suspension itself is or is not technically stiffer, it feels much more stiff! My 400E feels more like a Lexus than my E430. In such, the direction taken by Mercedes is exactly opposite to that which you claim. I stand by my statement that the seats and suspension of my 12-year-old Mercedes are much softer than my 3 year old Mercedes.

Magazines can say what they will, their editors and words aren’t divinely influenced. I need not look past my garage to know the difference in newer and older models. Hence, I have not only the experience, but the wherewithal to second guess what someone else says about my cars! I know this because well… I own them both!

Jon

BobW - 9/17/2004 9:07:09 PM

+1 Boost

You certainly have the advantage of direct comparison with two concurrent models, so I defer to you on this one Jon. With the caveat that you are comparing models that are twelve years apart in wear and the 400E was not originally designed to have a V8. The addition of that model was to give Benz a direct competitor to the V8 powered LS400. One that would be, though a little smaller, closer in size, performance and price. It was a succesful model and, I believe in its last year of production, was chosen by Consumer Reports as the best luxury sedan over the Lexus model (which won the plaudits in the preceding years).

Your E430, as I mentioned, tracked well for me at speed, including a high speed trip on I-80 across the high (mostly empty) desert of Wyoming. Very satisfying.

Best wishes,

BW

Threepoint1415926 - 9/19/2004 7:43:23 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sorry to have push us off track Bob... All I was trying to get at was that since Lexus has come on the scene, Mercedes has hardly tried to become more like Lexus by way of your examples.

Jon