Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[Merc1]

Yeah by fall they should have completed all the facelifts and introductions. GLA is new, GLK to GLC happens in June I think, ML to GLE happens in April(?) I think, and GL to GLS happens this fall. GLE Coupe arrives this summer. These changes and the new C Coupe, S Cabrio and S600 Maybach should have dealers really busy by summer/fall.

I can't wait to see the new GLC63, S63 Cabrio and the C63 Coupe. Can you imagine a S65 AMG Cabriolet? 250K price tag and all.

 

[Wolfgang]

Btw, @Wolfgang any news about a new 4 cylinder for MB? They are a bit behind the curve here IMO. I think their new V8 and the upcommming I6 are and will be up to the best engines on the segment, but the lower end engines are a bit old now.

The new cylinder heads start production trials in March.

In March Daimler is to start production trials at the foundry in Stuttgart with the new OM654 2.0 liter four cylinder which belongs to the new engine family also comprising the OM656 inline six diesel and the M256 inline six petrol power plants. They will likely debut in the new E-Class W213.

Inline six M256 for the new E-Class

The M256 is a 3 liter Biturbo inline six in two power levels which can produce from 367 to 430 hp. The OM654 is the new 4 cylinder diesel and the OM656 the new 6 cylinder diesel. The OM654 is the successor of the OM651, and the OM656 is the successor of the OM642.

 

[Merc1]

430hp? I can't wait to see which E will get that motor. Though that will likely mean no V8 model unless u get a AMG.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

Yes. Might suggest the E 500/550 and CLS 500/550 power level. Daimler is not confirming the rumors yet.

 

[Rolf]

The new cylinder heads start production trials in March.

I really hope these new OM654 4-cylinder diesel engines come soon as the current OM651 is long in the tooth (now 7years old and without any substantial mods) and seriously lagging behind Audi and BMW latest 4-cylinder diesel engines especially the lower 2 powered models (C/E200 and C/E220) are 10kw to 15kw behind and also much noisier.

 

[SKY]

So the new I6 should debut with the E-Class in Spring 2016, but the I4? Maybe 2016 too?

 

[Wolfgang]

Yes, the OM651 was introduced around October 2008 and is a bit long in the tooth now. Not sure yet if the new I6 and I4 engines will debut in the new E-Class right from the start, as they may also come a little later. They are supposed to feature Nanoslide from AMG and steel pistons. For the OM656 inline six cylinder diesel folks are forecasting three power levels, of E350 with 269 PS, E400 with 326 PS and an E-Class V8 level of 378 PS. And AMG doesn't plan a diesel at the present time, Tobias Moers confirmed recently.

Nanoslide http://next.mercedes-benz.com/?attachment_id=21171

 

[Amat46]

Oh finally some info on the I4's and I6's. The new I4's are they only diesel Wolf?

 

[Wolfgang]

The new family should also include petrol I4s. They may just follow a little later since the present generation is younger, started around 2011.

 

[SKY]

I6s are comming both at the same time. I think I4s will come a few months later.

 

[Pagani]

A 430hp i6 (if not the AMG Sport) could spell the demise of the non-AMG v8. This is already in motion on anything that is not a S or SL.

 

[Amat46]

Random question. Does anyone know why Tobias Moers is not involved with the F1 team being the head of AMG and the team is called Mercedes AMG F1? Mr.Moers is never seen during the press events, pre season testing or race weekends though you get see top MB officials in these events every now and then.

 

[SKY]

I have recently learnt that MB is starting to use the 9G in their 500 models. When can we expect it in the entire range? W213 E-Class should not have any 7G model IMO. And the reat of the car above C-Class should have it by 2016 too IMO.

I drive a Golf GTi with DSG, and that gearbox is soo ahead of the 7G in terms of refinement (my mother owns a ML with it).

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I wouldn't be surprised if the new I6 (OM 656) doesn't come at introduction date of the W213, but later on.

 

[HUTSUTAo]

will the w213 be leaked by the end of this year?

 

[Merc1]

I would seriously doubt it.

M

 

[Rolf]

will the w213 be leaked by the end of this year?

I reckon a chance they will show first pics in Dec 2015 as the car is expected to debut in March 2016. The current W212 was first shown in Dec 2008 before it debuted in Mar 2009.

 

[SKY]

I wouldn't be surprised if the new I6 (OM 656) doesn't come at introduction date of the W213, but later on.

Jesmb has it listed for 2016. Same that the new I4 (it says 2016/2017).

So, taking into account the new 4.0 V8 is here to replace the 4.7 and 5.5 V8s, and that new I6s and I4s are comming within the next 2 years, it seems MB will replace its entire engine line up.

I think 65 AMGs will start using the 4.0 V8 maybe with some electric engine or with more power than the 63s, and the V12 AMG will be used for the 600 models.

 

[Amat46]

There is no way 65 is going to use a V8. As long as the emission norms allow a V12 there will be AMG V12 under the 65 badge

 

[SKY]

The problem comes when a new V8 arrives and, if the rumors are true, the new 63s AMG with the new 4.0 V8 will boast more than 600 PS.

A new S65 could reach 700 PS if they switched to the V8. They could reach it with a new V12 of course, but they don't seem interested in doing it.