Is It Time for a U.S. V6 Mercedes S-Class? Twin-Turbo I6 BMW 7-Series?
The last gen U.S. S-Class lineup included a short wheelbase model with a 240hp 3.7-liter V6. Yes, the S350 was out there. Somewhere. In terms of sales? Nowhere. Hence today's U.S. S-Class consists of the S550 and S600 and variants. But now that federal fuel economy standards are promising nay demanding a higher love, is the time right to offer a new S350 or twin-turbo six-pot 735 to the American market? Overseas, such engine and car combination are, of course, de rigeur. Stateside, Merc and Bimmer have maintained their prestige and justified their high costs by cramming gadgets into the cars and upping standard horsepower again and again. On the other hand, only two years ago the S500 had 300 horsepower; the 3.6-liter V6 in the 2009 Benz SLK350 offers 300+ horses. And BMW's 7-Series launched with 325 horses– a number that's not far removed from the twin-turbo I6' probable output. So why not? Many buyers of vehicles north of $60k just want the best, the most, the top of the line. An engine shared with a puny C-Class or 1-Series? They might just say no thanks. Are the two German automakers between Iraq's impact and a hard place?
Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.
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@Cretinx: Definitely agree with you about the smoothness and progressiveness. But about the torque curve, have you seen the plateau that is the 335i? http://image.automobilemag.com/f/features/news/6689758/0609_c_bmw_335i_dyno.jpg
If I remember correctly, the W140 S-class was offered with an I6. Maybe instead of the V6, Merc can bring back the smaller V8, like the S430, which would probably be S450 now. I heard some rumor about this, but it probably wouldn't work to well, since the fuel economy wouldn't be that much better since it's still a V8. IMHO, all the V12s from Merc and BMW should stop being produced.
A gasoline V6 laboring to move barges that big isn't going to be very frugal, in fact I'd put money on them using nearly as much fuel as the V8. I doubt that people who can afford to purchase cars this expensive can't afford the fuel to operate them (and insure and maintain them).
I'd like S-class smoothness and luxury at a lower price. If that means a smaller engine, ok. I'll take used (S55 AMG?) though.