MB ditched the I6 not only for costs, but also for safety purpose. A inline 6 is bigger, needs more place under the hood...reducing the crashzone.

The risk is to find your beloved I6 on your knees if you crash...

If I'm not mistaken the engine is designed to dislodge from the bay and go underneath the car. I could be wrong but I believe that MB has done this for a long time.

From what I know this only really happens with the A and B-Class and the sandwich concept, and for the smart. Because the motor is placed differently in the bay, and is already half under the car. It is not as easy with a normal car.

MB designs its motor to deform themselves, and there is a very strong piece of metal separating the motor from the passenger cell. This piece of metal is designed to make the motor go under the car, but it is not always enough and a big block is harder to handle....

In case of a very very hard crash, a too big motor like an I6 can cause injuries because the front part of the car can't deform enough, because the motor is too big. So either the car absorbs schock and your knees receive the motor, or it does not deform enough and you deform yourself...

In case of AMG, the front structure of the car is reinforced, to handle the bigger and heavier motor. But I am not sure that an AMG offers exactly the same safety as a regular Merc.

That is also a reason why BMW often performs poorly in crash test: the motor is too long and placed further back in the engine bay. Better for the weight balance...not for the safety. MB has not the same weight balance...but is much safer. Question of priority!

<<lifted from the following page http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071221....elift-unveiled>>

Which prints at the bottom "From MB UK" which means the fuel consumption numbers refer to Imperial gallons.

Thank you Raoul for that very informative explanation. I'll remember that the next time I get inside my little Merc.

Mercedes engines are not known for being high-revers. They're also not known for going over the 100-hp / liter mark.

These two factors, along with solid construction, have traditionally ensured a long engine life.

Bingo.

Nope, this only debuted on the W168 (first generation) A-Class. It was called the "sandwhich concept".

When are the damn tech specs press release for the 'new' V6 coming out? It def debuts in the slk that's def being shown officially 19th jan at Detriot? *** merc? Anytime soon i guess.
Hi guys

Yeah it is time for some more detailed information on the V6 and the SLK for that matter. Everyone is waiting for the SL facelift to drop, but I think they're holding that one until late next month ahead of a Geneva reveal.

M