Automotive

Mercedes-Benz unveils DiesOtto - the “future of the gasoline engine”

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The DiesOtto concept in testing
The DiesOtto concept in testing
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July 25, 2007 Don’t count out the petrol engine just yet according to motoring giant Mercedes-Benz, which has unveiled a new gasoline engine offering the high torque and fuel economy of a diesel together with extremely clean emissions. The company is highly optimistic, calling it “the future of the gasoline engine.” The Mercedes-Benz DiesOtto powertrain is a further development of the spark-ignition engine and includes features such as direct gasoline injection, turbocharging, variable valve timing and variable compression and it will be used in conjunction with a hybrid integrated starter/generator module. At its core lies the controlled auto ignition, a highly efficient combustion process similar to that of a diesel. The result is an 1800cc four-cylinder motor producing 238 bhp (175 kW) with torque of 400 nm while delivering 6 l/100 km (47 UK mpg, 40 US mpg) in an S-class.

Optimising the internal combustion engine is one of the milestones on the Mercedes-Benz roadmap for sustainable mobility.

The company’s powerful and economical BLUETEC diesel engine diesel has already been available in the US in the E-Class since 2006, and it will also become available in Europe from the end of this year.

The E 300 BLUETEC will be by far the cleanest diesel in its class, and will meet the requirements of the EU5 exhaust emission standards in full.

"Our next goal will now be to make the gasoline engine as economical as a diesel. All the preconditions for this are provided by our DiesOtto concept, which incorporates the foremost strengths of both the gasoline engine and diesel engine," says Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, Head of Group Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle and Powertrain; Chief Environmental Officer of DaimlerChrysler.

The result of this " marriage " is a four-cylinder unit with a displacement of just 1.8 litres, which combines the strengths of the low-emission gasoline engine with the fuel economy of a diesel.

Despite its considerably reduced displacement – downsizing is one of the major factors for achieving a lower fuel consumption – this compact power unit delivers superior performance together with refinement at the level of the luxury class.

An output of 175 kW/238 hp and a maximum torque of 400 newton metres are achieved together with the hybridisation a fuel consumption of less than six litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. This figure by no means relates to a small or compact car, but to a vehicle the size of the current S-Class, with the level of comfort and safety that is typical of a Mercedes.

" In line with the worldwide success of today's diesel engine, vehicles equipped with gasoline engines will continue to have a long-term attraction for many customers and in many markets. Accordingly we are giving our attention to both engine types – including a full hybrid option for diesel and gasoline vehicles, " says Prof. Kohler. Mercedes-Benz is working on its DiesOtto concept with corresponding emphasis.

Its key technological features are as follows:

* Downsizing with fewer cylinders and a smaller displacement* Turbocharging for superior performance* Direct gasoline injection as a further fuel economy measure* Controlled auto ignition, a combustion process similar to that of a diesel* Variable valve control* A variable compression ratio leading to even better fuel economy and, depending on customer needs and the type of operation,* A hybrid module with an integrated starter/generator, which makes the drive unit even more economical.

When starting and under full load, the fuel/air mixture is ignited by a spark plug, as in a conventional spark-ignition engine (homogeneous combustion). The controlled auto ignition to which the DiesOtto automatically reverts within its working cycle occurs under partial load conditions, i.e. at low and medium engine speeds.The result is the very low nitrogen oxide emissions of homogeneous combustion at reduced reaction temperatures. All further emissions control in the DiesOtto engine is by means of a standard three-way catalytic converter. A highly efficient engine management and control system has also been realised to combine the individual sub-systems into a drive concept.

The current prospects for the future of the internal combustion engine reveal its great potential, and show that the new drive concept is a feasible proposition in the mid-term according to Benz. Some of the intermediate solutions incorporated, e.g. direct gasoline injection, are already in series production at Mercedes-Benz. Others will be gradually integrated into series-production engines until the overall solution has been realised.

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8 comments
Greg Riemer
There is no such thing as an economical Merc! What little you will save on in fuel will be more that sucked away by ridiculous service costs, high rates of depreciation and the most expensive parts on the planet.
PeterMortensen
Seems simplicity is not the strength of this engine. Complex engines usually suffer from inferior reliability, more maintenance issues and more cost of service.
No, the future is rather the opposite.
keith14
Why are Mercedes playing around designing these gas guzzlers. In this day and age they should be putting their research and development teams on to designing engines that do not run on fossil fuels. I'm afraid gasoline engines have there days numbered. Sooner the better really!!
Al Mayberry
Mr Riemer has a point when you consider that an electric engine has one moving part and several bearings. Though an ICE is a beautiful and extremely impressive contraption imagine doing away with cams, wrist pins, piston rings, many variable valves, injection systems, ignition systems, crankshafts and etc. All of the parts require ultra precision manufacturing, metallurgy & etc. It's hard to deny the simple beauty of one moving part!!
Gavin Roe
a million miles to the gallon or a million horse power makes no difference to me if it costs a million bucks
Mirmillion
Ya, I'd have to see it. 240HP 4-banger in an S-Class will have to have a 12-speed transmission to pull that car through its present range of acceleration, inclusive of passing times and effortless 40MPG operation. If anyone can do it, Mercedes can. Sounds, though, like we are positioning this as the range extender for electric vehicles, including light trucks. In the meantime it will pull 5000lb if required.
wahoo
May have worked with the ink-jet printers, but alas this thing isn't a printer.
Esteban Sperber Frankel
It is to late, MB should start to make with electric cars, no more to use investigation's money in Otto or Diesel engines.