The V6 will be extinct.
According to Ola Kallenius (research and development boss at Mercedes-Benz), all V6 engines will soon be replaced by equivalent inline-six units. He explained that the new M256 straight-6of the company would be included in many of the current and future models during a roundtable interview. This decision is based on downsizing. Yes, do again.
Kallenius claims that the new inline six engines can be made on the same production line as the four-cylinder engines. This is the most common engine layout worldwide. They are almost identical in construction.
Kallenius explained to Road and Track that four-cylinder is the dominant engine formula in the world. It makes more sense to add six to it. This is in contrast to the old strategy, where the V8 was paired with the V6. The new four-cylinder engine and the six-cylinder engine are both branches of the same tree in terms of overall engine production strategy. These engines can be run on the same production line because they have the same combustion chambers. The cylinder distance is 90mm.
The changeover will take time and Mercedes will have to adjust its vehicles to the new inline six motor. According to Kallenius, the motor won’t be on the C-Class but it will be under the hood the E-Class.
The manufacturer will be able to fit the new engine into most of its vehicles thanks to clever packaging. The M256 does not have a traditional belt-driven alternator and starter. Instead, EQ Boost is a small electric motor that’s located between the engine & the gearbox. This saves space as no pulleys or belts are needed at the front of this motor, which reduces its overall length.
Kallenius says that inline-six engines offer additional production benefits. They are also “as smooth and smooth as they can be”.
