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The New Generation of Engines From Mercedes-Benz: The I-6 Returns!

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Old 10-31-16, 07:50 AM
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TangoRed
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Default The New Generation of Engines From Mercedes-Benz: The I-6 Returns!

Forgot to post this last week.

Extensive strategic engine initiative from Mercedes-Benz: More powerful, more economical and cleaner


Stuttgart/Sindelfingen. The biggest strategic engine initiative in the history of Mercedes-Benz will enter its decisive phase in 2017. Following the launch of the new four-cylinder diesel engine in spring 2016, next year will see the addition of no fewer than four more members to the all-new family of engines: six-cylinder in-line engines in both diesel and petrol versions, a new four-cylinder petrol engine and a new biturbo V8. At the same time, there will be world premieres for ground-breaking technologies, such as the Integrated Starter-Alternator (ISG), the 48 V electrical system and the electric auxiliary compressor (eZV). These new technologies are tuned to the vehicles on state-of-the-art test rigs at the equally new Powertrain Integration Centre (AIZ) in Sindelfingen.


"More powerful, more economical and cleaner - the new modular family of engines from Mercedes-Benz offers the right powertrain for every vehicle," says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, 62, Member of the Daimler Board of Management with responsibility for Group Research at Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "The systematic optimisation of our high-tech engines plays a crucial role in the road map towards sustainable mobility. They also need to be designed with a view to all current and future requirements. A key success factor in this regard is the extensive electrification of the powertrain."


Systematic electrification: new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine M 256


The new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine M 256 represents an outstanding example of electrification, including a 48 V electrical system. New, intelligent turbocharging, e.g. with an electric auxiliary compressor (eZV), as well as an Integrated Starter-Alternator (ISG) provide the guarantee of excellent drivability with no turbo lag. The ISG is responsible for hybrid functions, such as boost or energy recovery, while allowing fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology. The bottom line is that the new six-cylinder in-line engine offers the same performance as an eight-cylinder machine while being much more fuel-efficient. The new petrol engine (internal code: M 256) launches next year in the new S-Class.


Systematic electrification dispenses with the need for a belt drive for ancillary components at the front of the engine, which reduces its overall length. The narrow construction, together with the physical separation of intake/exhaust, creates space for near-engine exhaust aftertreatment. The 48 V electrical system serves not only high power consumers, such as the water pump and air-conditioning compressor, but also the Integrated Starter-Alternator (ISG), which also supplies energy to the battery by means of highly efficient energy recovery.


An additional bonus is the unsurpassed refinement of the six-cylinder in-line engine. Output and torque are similar to the current eight-cylinder engine, i.e. over 300 kW (408 hp) and more than 500 Nm. In comparison with the previous V6, the CO2 emissions from the engine have been reduced by around 15 percent.


At 500 cc, the new machine has the same displacement per cylinder as the premium diesel engine family unveiled last year as well as the family of four-cylinder petrol engines.





Most powerful passenger-car diesel engine in the history of Mercedes-Benz: six-cylinder OM 656


The new top-of-the-line engine in the premium diesel family is likewise a six-cylinder in-line machine. The characteristics of the OM 656 include the stepped-bowl combustion process, two-stage exhaust turbocharging and, for the first time, the use of CAMTRONIC variable valve timing. Its design features a combination of aluminium engine block and steel pistons as well as further-improved NANOSLIDE® coating of the cylinder walls. Although there is a significant increase in output compared with the previous OM 642 (over 230 kW/313 hp instead of 190 kW/258 hp), the new engine consumes more than seven percent less fuel.


Like the already unveiled four-cylinder OM654, the new six-cylinder diesel engine OM 656 is likewise designed to comply with future emissions legislation (RDE – Real Driving Emissions). All the components of relevance for efficient emissions reduction are installed directly on the engine. The integrated technology approach of new stepped-bowl combustion process, dynamic multi-way exhaust gas recirculation and near-engine exhaust aftertreatment, combined for the first time with variable valve timing, opens the way for further reductions in consumption together with extremely low emissions. Thanks to the near-engine insulated configuration, exhaust aftertreatment has a low heat loss and extremely favourable operating conditions. This is reinforced by the CAMTRONIC switchable exhaust camshaft, which supports the consumption-neutral heating of the exhaust system.


Number of cylinders to suit the requirements: new V8 biturbo petrol engine M 176


Dynamic power delivery combined with high efficiency: the new biturbo (internal code: M 176) is 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. From its 3982 cc displacement, the new V8 biturbo produces over 350 kW (476 hp) with a maximum torque of around 700 Nm from 2000 rpm. The new engine will consume over 10 percent less fuel than its predecessor, which is rated at 335 kW (455 hp). The new V8 will launch with this technology next year in the new S-Class.


For lower fuel consumption, when operated at part load the new M 176 shuts off four cylinders simultaneously by means of CAMTRONIC valve timing. This reduces the pumping losses while improving the overall efficiency of the remaining four cylinders by shifting the operating point towards higher loads.




Sporty specific output: new four-cylinder petrol engine M 264


A two-litre four-cylinder engine with a specific output of around 100 kW: the new Toptype petrol engine from Mercedes-Benz (internal code: M 264) advances into output regions previously reserved for high-displacement six-cylinder machines. At the same time, it consumes significantly less fuel than a comparable six-cylinder engine. The engine's special features include twin-scroll turbochargers, belt-driven 48 V starter-alternator (BSA) and electric 48 V water pump.





The BSA is also responsible for fuel-saving hybrid functions:



Easy start: virtually imperceptible starting and acceleration of the engine
Boost in the engine-speed range up to 2500 rpm
Energy recovery up to 12.5 kW
Shifting of the load point: allows operation in a more favourable area of the engine map
Coasting with engine off.



In the interests of high power output and a spontaneous engine response, Mercedes-Benz has opted for twin-scroll turbocharging. Unlike conventional systems, a twin-scroll turbocharger merges the exhaust gas ducts of cylinder pairs in the flow-optimised manifold. This turbocharging concept with systematic cylinder flow separation produces high torque in the low-rpm range together with high specific output. Further efficiency measures include intake CAMTRONIC and a friction loss reduction package.


Even cleaner: particulate filter for petrol engines as standard


Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to opt for the large-scale use of particulate filters for petrol engines to further improve their environmental compatibility. After more than two years of positive experience in the field with the S 500, in 2017 further S-Class variants will be equipped with the new M 256 and M 176 petrol engines with this technology. The filter will then be gradually introduced in other new vehicle models, facelifted models and new engine generations, such as the M 264.


The particulate filter for petrol engines reduces the emissions of fine soot particles. How it works: the exhaust-gas stream is supplied to a particulate filter system. The filter has a honeycomb structure with alternately sealed inlet and outlet channels. This forces the exhaust gas to flow through a porous filter wall, which traps the soot. The filter can be continuously regenerated under corresponding driving conditions.




New Powertrain Integration Centre (AIZ): state-of-the-art test rigs


With its new Powertrain Integration Centre (AIZ), in summer 2016 Mercedes-Benz took into service one of the automotive industry's most advanced test facilities. A total of ten vehicle test rigs inside the all-new state-of-the-art building in Sindelfingen are used for such purposes as the fine tuning of engine and transmission – comfort, dynamics and agility are matched to each other. The highlights include test rigs with high-precision torque measurement directly at the wheels of the vehicle as well as a test rig with a climatic altitude chamber, which uses partial vacuum to simulate an altitude of up to 5000 metres at temperatures of down to -30°C, while the vehicle operates fully automatically on a chassis dynamometer.


The new building at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre (MTC) houses ten vehicle test rigs for tuning vehicles and their powertrains. The new building used 16,800 m3 of concrete, equivalent to the capacity of five Olympic swimming pools. There were also 2500 tonnes of reinforcing steel. The designers of the AIZ attached great importance to energy recovery, with 98 percent of the electric braking energy produced on the test rigs being fed back into the power network. Also, the air conditioning of the test rigs is energy-neutral for two-thirds of the year, which means that no power is consumed from the joint network. With all ten test rigs in continuous operation, this would be the same as supplying around 7500 households with electricity.




Extension of the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre


The new Powertrain Integration Centre is part of extensive additions and conversions to the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre (MTC) in Sindelfingen. The new driving simulator, climatic wind tunnels and a high-tech aero-acoustic wind tunnel are already in operation. By 2018, there will also be a state-of-the-art technology centre for vehicle safety, an electronics testing centre and a computer centre. Housed on the upper floor of the AIZ, the computer centre will directly use the electricity generated downstairs on the test rigs in order to operate and cool the computers.


The MTC is home to the headquarters of the company's global Group Research and passenger car development, including design.
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Old 10-31-16, 10:18 AM
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Great to hear and no doubt the M264 will be the new bread and butter for all the models in the US. It hurts to read this as I'll be stuck with the old M274 but oh well.
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Old 10-31-16, 10:57 AM
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The cool thing here for me is that they were able to eliminate the belts and drives for the ancillary components at the front of the engine. Before this was exclusive to hybrids like the Prius.
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Old 10-31-16, 12:22 PM
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Inline 6 sounds great but with the electrification it just sounds like something that is going to have a limited life/have problems and when it is time to change or when it breaks it is going to be very expensive, much more expensive and difficult then simply changing a accessory belt. If these new 6 cylinders are so much more efficient then why are they still saddling almost every model with a lame "economical" 4 cylinder and then forcing you to have to pay a huge premium to get a 6 cylinder which really should be the standard powerplant at the prices they are charging.
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Old 10-31-16, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by UDel
Inline 6 sounds great but with the electrification it just sounds like something that is going to have a limited life/have problems and when it is time to change or when it breaks it is going to be very expensive, much more expensive and difficult then simply changing a accessory belt. If these new 6 cylinders are so much more efficient then why are they still saddling almost every model with a lame "economical" 4 cylinder and then forcing you to have to pay a huge premium to get a 6 cylinder which really should be the standard powerplant at the prices they are charging.
1) The limited life/expensive fix argument is tired. With each innovation there's always going to be someone saying that- sometimes progress isn't simple.
2) Did you read the press release for the 4-cylinder? It's even more efficient and provides more than enough power for the mainstream models. It's as simple as that.
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Old 10-31-16, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by kitabel
Wow, a brilliant new concept: a turbocharged 3 liter L6 engine developing 400 hp!
If only Toyota knew about this...
No kidding. But I am sure that Toyota is going to have very competitive engines for the next go around. It does kinda suck that some of the engines like the LS 4.6 or GS 3.5 are so old, but when they debuted they were very competitive with other makes. I will say that I highly doubt Toyota will ever make inline engines for a very long time.
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Old 10-31-16, 01:59 PM
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Inline sixes are smoother with superior breathing inlet ports for greater bottom end torque, however they certainly aren't compact, and more difficult to fit transversely east-west.

Any idea if Benz is coming out with 2.5L and 2.0L in-line sixes with twin turbos?
Because this will certainly force Lexus to come out with 2.5L and 2.0L V6 twin turbos, because the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo is so coarse.

With electrification to gasoline-electric hybrids and full blown EV's, the in-line six may not be so cost effective, similar to what someone else mentioned above.
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Old 10-31-16, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by peteharvey
Inline sixes are smoother with superior breathing inlet ports for greater bottom end torque, however they certainly aren't compact, and more difficult to fit transversely east-west.

Any idea if Benz is coming out with 2.5L and 2.0L in-line sixes with twin turbos?
Because this will certainly force Lexus to come out with 2.5L and 2.0L V6 twin turbos, because the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo is so coarse.

With electrification to gasoline-electric hybrids and full blown EV's, the in-line six may not be so cost effective, similar to what someone else mentioned above.
Absolutely not. Small V6's are not ideal for a variety of reasons. The I4 is made on the same line as the I6 and they share many parts, so economies of scale are achieved that way. Also none of Mercedes platforms need a transverse I6, so that's not an issue; I4's are addressing the needs of the compact cars (i.e. GLA/CLA/A).
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Old 10-31-16, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by TangoRed
The cool thing here for me is that they were able to eliminate the belts and drives for the ancillary components at the front of the engine. Before this was exclusive to hybrids like the Prius.
That's because it is what was once widely known as a "mild hybrid". The first Chevy Malibu also used an alternator-starter type of hybrid system (but with a belt rather than attached directly to the engine).

The new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine M 256 represents an outstanding example of electrification, including a 48 V electrical system. New, intelligent turbocharging, e.g. with an electric auxiliary compressor (eZV), as well as an Integrated Starter-Alternator (ISG) provide the guarantee of excellent drivability with no turbo lag. The ISG is responsible for hybrid functions, such as boost or energy recovery, while allowing fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology. The bottom line is that the new six-cylinder in-line engine offers the same performance as an eight-cylinder machine while being much more fuel-efficient. The new petrol engine (internal code: M 256) launches next year in the new S-Class.
The turbocharger, ISG, and electric auxiliary compressor all work together to save fuel and reduce turbo lag. The ISG handles the majority of the work when the vehicle sets off, the electric auxiliary compressor [electric turbocharger] fills in the gap until the larger turbo kicks in, and the new turbocharger spools up to ridiculous speeds – 70,000 rpm – within one third of a second. The ISG is part of a 48V electrical system that also handles the car's water pump and air-conditioning compressor, which makes drive belts irrelevant and reduces the overall length of the engine.
Source

Originally Posted by UDel
Inline 6 sounds great but with the electrification it just sounds like something that is going to have a limited life/have problems and when it is time to change or when it breaks it is going to be very expensive, much more expensive and difficult then simply changing a accessory belt. If these new 6 cylinders are so much more efficient then why are they still saddling almost every model with a lame "economical" 4 cylinder and then forcing you to have to pay a huge premium to get a 6 cylinder which really should be the standard powerplant at the prices they are charging.
Those belt-driven accessories put quite a lot of drag on the engine, and removing the belt and those accessories means that more engine-generated power is available to drive the car, increasing fuel efficiency.
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Old 10-31-16, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by UDel
Inline 6 sounds great but with the electrification it just sounds like something that is going to have a limited life/have problems and when it is time to change or when it breaks it is going to be very expensive, much more expensive and difficult then simply changing a accessory belt. If these new 6 cylinders are so much more efficient then why are they still saddling almost every model with a lame "economical" 4 cylinder and then forcing you to have to pay a huge premium to get a 6 cylinder which really should be the standard powerplant at the prices they are charging.
Yup for sure. ISG was complicated for the early priuses however as the tech sees more testing in real world they`ll work out the kinks. 48V system in itself tends to eliminate all of weak parasitic battery drains claims (or at least most of the engineers from the german trio I came into contact with). Your concerns of complexity are totally true, but doubt apply to the first owners/leasee More like a headache for the dude who buys one of these outside of warranty or off one of those buy here pay here type joints.
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Old 10-31-16, 11:05 PM
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^ Glad to see them put the inline six back under the hood, smoother and they sound a lot better than a V6.

Is the 2017 or 2018 E-class going to get the new straight six??? I know right now you can only buy them with a 4 cylinder, thought maybe there was a delay for this all new engine.
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Old 10-31-16, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Sulu
That's because it is what was once widely known as a "mild hybrid". The first Chevy Malibu also used an alternator-starter type of hybrid system (but with a belt rather than attached directly to the engine).
.
Aware, Mercedes used mild hybrids in several models in the past, including the S400. The lack of belt and 48V electrical system is what really excites me.
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Old 10-31-16, 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Aron9000
^ Glad to see them put the inline six back under the hood, smoother and they sound a lot better than a V6.

Is the 2017 or 2018 E-class going to get the new straight six??? I know right now you can only buy them with a 4 cylinder, thought maybe there was a delay for this all new engine.
The E-class will be getting the I6, but not before the AMG E43 arrives here in early 2017 with a V6 TT.

EDIT: Engine implementation schedule

Last edited by TangoRed; 11-01-16 at 07:07 AM.
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Old 11-01-16, 09:19 PM
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really sounds very clever and efficient. impressive. Lexus, your turn.
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Old 11-01-16, 09:46 PM
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i am quite impressed and excited about this, looks like a great concept, hope the execution is well. great power from the engine!
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