We’ve known for nearly a year that an all-new inline-six cylinder engine would rest under the hood of Mercedes-Benz products. It’s been more than a decade since Mercedes has built an inline-six, so fans of the brand celebrated its return. The 2018 S-Class would be the first model with the new engine, though not here in the U.S. (we’re getting the V6). Automotive News reports that AMG is working on its own variant, and we’re very excited to see what the performance division has in store.
We’re not going to complain that cost cutting and parts sharing with four-cylinder engines brought about the return of the inline-six. Instead, we’ll bask in the glory of silky-smooth revs and perfectly balanced combustion. In the S-Class, this new 3.0-liter engine makes 408 horsepower and over 368 pound-feet of torque. That’s a significant step up from the already hearty 333 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque developed by the current V6. In AMG guise, the engine is expected to make about 430 horsepower.
Look for two turbochargers — one exhaust-powered and one electric — as well as a mild-hybrid 48-volt system. These new engines will kick of an AMG 53 range, presumably replacing the V6 in cars like the Mercedes-AMG C43 and E43. The first model with the M256 will be the all-new CLS-Class. Rumors suggest that the AMG variants of the E-Class coupe and cabriolet will drop the V8 altogether in favor of the inline-six. Don’t worry, the beloved E63 sedan and wagon aren’t going anywhere.
Everything with the 53 moniker will pack the new inline-six, supplementing the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in all the 63 models. Since the U.S.-market S-Class is getting the V6, the new CLS-Class is likely to be the first American model with the new engine.
