Mercedes Considers 4-Cylinder C-Class for U.S.

Edmunds

Date posted: 04-02-2008

NEW YORK — Due to rising fuel costs here and further pressure for low emissions, Mercedes-Benz executives and engineers are contemplating a four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz C-Class for the U.S. market.

In fact, a supercharged 1.4-liter engine is already in test mules. To make the car acceptable to Mercedes customers, engineers tell us that it would have a higher level of "perceived performance" than it actually delivers. A louder exhaust and ultraquick-response throttle settings would give the driver the "perception of performance." Hey, you can't make this stuff up.

Mercedes already sells a four-cylinder version of the C-Class sedan in Europe. There, the entry-level C180 Kompressor is fitted with a supercharged 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 154 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. No word as to whether the 1.4-liter under development would replace the European 1.8-liter, or if it would be reserved for the U.S. market only.

If a four-cylinder C-Class sedan is launched in the United States, it would be priced well under the automatic V6-powered C300, which carries a base price of $33,040. And it will share that model's seven-speed automatic transmission.

What this means to you: Perceived power may work for those anxious to drive a Mercedes in name only.

— Kelly Toepke, News Editor

 

why did they kill the original C230 Kompressor in the first place?

 

I kinda like this idea. I hope BMW would do the same thing to their 3-series sedan as well, bringing the 320i over.

 

The C180 Kompressor is a dog. Give me the diesels anyday.

 

Actually, no. Before opting for my C200 CDI (company car), I was able to sample the C180 Kompressor. I didn't initially have high expectations for it since I've not heard nice things about the C230 Kompressor's in the US (refinement wise, power was ok).

However, I was very impressed with the C180 Kompressor in general. The engine was very refined for a 4-cylinder engine. It was quiet and smooth and felt like a 6-cylinder in some regards. The engine sound was of a sporty nature and could even be described as "addictive". What I didn't like was the somewhat sluggish engine response when mated to the 5-speed automatic transmission and the high noise levels when driving over 160 kph. Overall it is a good car for Europe and I wouldn't mind owning one privately.

The only reason I opted for the C200 CDI is because the company I work for handles all the costs and this allows me to drive a fuel efficient car without paying the expensive German car (diesel) taxes if I privately owned the C200 CDI. And since I am an American working in Germany, I definitely want to tour Europe by road and I think a fuel efficient car is a must for such a journey. The summer is coming soon and so is my much-needed vacation break!

I love my company Benz. The power is pretty decent though the C200 CDI is not a very fast car (except in midrange power which is sweet!) but the gas mileage I am getting is incredible. I have the 5-speed automatic, too.




I think this is an interesting move by Mercedes. Volkswagen in Europe sells a 1.4-l engine in the Golf that produces something like 170-horsepower and has low emissions and great gas mileage ratings. Looks like Mercedes is working on the same thing. Interesting.

It would be interesting to see how the American luxury consumer responds to this. I think the North American market might actually be ripe (or ripening) for luxury cars with smaller engines. I'm sure there are people out there that just want say a Lexus IS but don't need the performance of an IS250, so an "IS200" would make sense for them as you get the car with a less powerful engine.

Any word on Lexus and if they're planning to offer a smaller engine for the IS in Europe or North America?

 

Nothing new about that. The compact 190 and the C220/230/240 (some as supercharged (Kompressoor) models were sold here for years. ( I remember checking out and test-driving a 1994 C220 my pastor wanted to buy). I've said for years that Mercedes' two biggest mistakes were pulling these models from the American market and letting the electronics in their newer cars go to hell. (Maybe a third one, as well, was dropping the American-market diesels and leaving the market to VW)

 

because nobody wants to drive a 30 thousand dollar car with 4 cylinders. its not on par with brand image

 

Wasn't that the most popular C Class though? I've been in a 2005 C230 loaner when my friends ML was in for service and thought it wasn't bad at all. For a small car like that it had decent pick up and looked good with the sports rims. The car is kind of narrow though. It feels tighter than my E46.

 

DI that business!

 

perhaps it was more of that mentality on benz's side rather than customers.

 

Mike, we may need to start a thread about how gas may affect the next gen of luxury cars. I may even have to re-evaluate my thoughts on this.

It may become a huge issue or luxury car buyers may laugh at high gas prices. We will se..

 

My parents have adopted the stance that they want their luxury cars, but they don't want to penalize others by driving low fuel economy vehicles while they are people out there struggling to fill their Civic with $3.29 a gallon. Keep the hybrids coming Lexus.

 

Don't forget some of those C230 Kompressors had a 1.8 litre supercharger so really it was a C180 Kompressor.. except MB didn't change the name for obvious reasons. Heck, you can get 316i sedans in Europe.

 

Mercedes is considering a four-cylinder C-Class for the U.S. market due to rising fuel costs here and further pressure for low emissions. The company is already testing a 1.4-liter engine.

In Europe Mercedes already sells a four-cylinder version of the C-Class sedan: the entry-level C180 Kompressor powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 154 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. But we can not tell yet if the 1.4-liter under development would replace the European 1.8-liter, or if it would be reserved for the U.S. market only.

A four cylinder version will be priced well under the automatic V6-powered C300, which carries a base price of $33,040

 

Looks and cost will make or break this car