Mercedes-Benz Considering Three-Cylinder Hybrids
Engine sizes are continually shrinking as automakers seek improved fuel economy, and now one German luxury car maker is considering using a three-cylinder engine in its high-end cars.
Mercedes-Benz powertrain chief Bernhard Heil told Car & Driver that a three-cylinder unit could work well thanks to its compact size and ability to be transversely mounted to power front-wheel drive vehicles. However, Heil is not a huge fan of the three-cylinder engine by itself, citing noise, vibration and harshness as issues with the small powerplants.
That’s where the hybrid part comes in. Mating the small engine to a hybrid powertrain would help negate many of those problems. If produced, the three-cylinder hybrid setup would only power front-wheel drive vehicles, which means it could end up in the CLA, GLA, A-Class or B-Class models.
[Source: Car & Driver]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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BMW uses a Turbo 3 cylinder why not Mercedes ?