Mercedes-Benz has announced the introduction of a new V6 petrol engine for the C-Class saloon which is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms in spring 2005.

The new V6 C 350, which develops more power and more torque than any other engine in its vehicle class, will ensure that the C-Class pulls even further ahead on agility, dynamism and driving excitement, while at the same time setting new standards on fuel economy, coupled with exceptional ride quality.

The powerful six-cylinder petrol engine, previously available on the SLK-Class and E-Class, will propel the C-Class Saloon. Maximum power of 200 kW and maximum torque of 350 newton metres give this Mercedes engine an edge over comparable V6 models.

The new C 350 delivers approximately 13 per cent more rated torque and 25 per cent more rated power than the previous six-cylinder model in the C-Class. This gives the Saloon performance even more of a sports car flavour. With the standard 7G-TRONIC transmission, the 0 - 100 km/h time is just 6.4 seconds (previous model: 7.7 seconds), with a 60 to 120 km/h sprint time of 6.1 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).

With an NEDC combined consumption of 9.7 to 10.0 litres per 100 km, the new six-cylinder C-Class model nevertheless outshines the outgoing C 320 model on fuel economy with an improvement of approximately five per cent.

The managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia, Horst von Sanden, believes Australian customers will welcome the new C 350.

“The new more powerful yet more fuel efficient V6 will add further to the appeal of Australia’s best selling luxury car,” said von Sanden.

“Given the strong customer response to the new four-valve V6 engine in the SLK roadster and E-Class we’re delighted to soon be introducing this engine in the popular C-Class,” he said.

Since its introduction just over four years ago 19,593 Australians have taken delivery of the current model W203 C-Class saloon. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is Australia’s best selling luxury car, with 1,313 units delivered so far this year.

Technology package: first V6 with four variable-timing camshafts

The impressive power and torque of the new V6 is based on a wide-ranging technology package. Amongst other things, this includes variable camshaft adjustment for both the inlet and the exhaust valves. This technology, which Mercedes-Benz is using in a V6 engine for the first time, allows the opening and closing of the 24 valves to be optimally adapted to any driving situation, for significantly more efficient gas exchange and reduced energy losses. This in turn results in improved fuel efficiency under partial load.

The length of the magnesium intake manifolds can be varied in accordance with the engine speed in order to maximise torque and output. Approximately 87 per cent of the new V6's maximum torque of 350 newton metres is already on call at 1500 rpm. The crankcase and cylinder heads are made of aluminium.

The intake ports are equipped with "tumble flaps", which improve the induction and combustion of the fuel-air mixture. These flaps open out in part-load operation and increase turbulence in the cylinders. At higher engine loads, the flaps are fully retracted into the intake manifold. Depending on the engine speed, this technology achieves a fuel saving of up to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres while also improving smoothness of operation.

The combination of continuously variable camshaft adjustment, tumble flaps in the inlet ports, internal exhaust gas recirculation, secondary air injection and various other measures reduces engine-out emissions on the new C 350 to a very low level. These internal engine design measures, in combination with a high-performance emissions control system with two close-coupled catalytic converters, result in full compliance with the EU 4 emissions standards.