Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Honda headlights and BMW headlights.
Daimler AG, the German automaker who produces Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart vehicles, is experienced in building a wide variety of engines all of the way from a highly potent V-12 Bi-Turbo found in the SL down to a tiny three cylinder powerplant for the Smart Fortwo. That Smart engine is just 1.0L in size and is actually built for Daimler by Mitsubishi Motors. However, Daimler is indicating that a new family of three cylinder engines are on the way, home grown and built versions that will power future Smart and select Mercedes brand vehicles.
A New Direction For Daimler AG
The move into three cylinder engine technology by Daimler makes sense for at least two reasons including not having to depend on suppliers or surrogates to provide these engines for them and to begin to design lighter versions of upcoming models which will prove to be more fuel efficient than their predecessors.
Most car manufacturers shy away from three cylinders as they generally produce only enough power to move city cars along the lines of the Smart Fortwo. However, the fuel gains that can be realized by pairing three cylinder engine with the smallest Mercedes models is something that can certainly help raise corporate average fuel numbers which, at least in the US, must near 40 mpg within the next ten years.
Will Mercedes Seek A Partner?
Inasmuch as Mercedes plans on bringing three cylinder technology in house, that doesn't preclude the possibility that another manufacturer might be willing to share in the costs of building these motors. As recently as last year, Mercedes' bitter rival, BMW, said that they would work with Daimler to design and share some components including engines and transmissions. Perhaps this is the relationship that Daimler is seeking for its three cylinder engine family.
Daimler has successfully rolled out the Smart line around the world, but is looking to build on its success by introducing some new models. Currently, Smart sells several variations on its own theme including Brabus, Cabriolet and sport models. A Fourfor model made a brief run, but it was built on the same platform powering the Mitsubishi Colt. Never a good seller, the Fourfor was cancelled after just two years.
Other models considered for production have included the Crosstown, a gas/electric hybrid based on the Fortwo, the Formore which was a concept SUV and the Tridion 4. Whatever models are finally added to the Smart fleet, three cylinder technology appears to be the only option planned for them.
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