Mercedes-Benz to debut stratified direct fuel injection on V6 petrol engine; improved fuel economy expected

2017-mercedes-amg-c43-coupe-v6-engine

In the race to chase ever-descending emissions and fuel economy targets, every little bit achieved counts. Mercedes-Benz will launch a petrol V6 engine with a stratified direct fuel injection system, and will make its appearance in an updated model by the end of the year.

Compared to conventional direct fuel injection, which injects fuel during the engine piston’s intake stroke, the stratified fuel injection system allows fuel to be injected during the compression stroke. The company says it allows a much leaner fuel mixture in low load situations, meaning a small gain in fuel economy with “basically no sacrifice in power,” said Bart Herring, Mercedes-Benz USA general manager for product development.

A downside of running very lean fuel mixtures is increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, a major pollutant. Mercedes’ new stratified fuel injection engines will require special NOx traps as a result, and to that end the company said some of its petrol engines will be equipped with particulate filters from 2017. NOx aside, the new fuel system is said to be very similar to current direct fuel injection systems, with updates limited to software and unique fuel injectors.

Quality of fuel used is a major enabling factor for the propagation of stratified direct fuel injection technology. In the United States, all petrol sold in the country must have a much lower sulfur content than before – from 30 parts per million to 10 parts per million – which is a key factor in the introduction of this more precise fuel injection technique, says Herring.

The aforementioned 10 parts per million sulfur content level is in line with the Euro 5 petrol standard. Meanwhile in Malaysia, Euro 5 petrol will only arrive 2025, and Euro 5 diesel is set to arrive in 2020. The currently available Euro 4 standard RON 97 petrol contains sulfur at 50 parts per million.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • seancorr (Member) on Jun 16, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Mercedes could also lower its weight on its model to further boost FC as weight plays a major factor in FC and handling. BMW and Audi are actively cutting down weight and so is Mazda.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on Jun 16, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Sounds like its creating more problems than it solves. Occam’s razor please.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Marques on Jun 16, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    VW is already using stratified fuel injection in its TSI engines

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • VW TSI on Jun 16, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    if the article explains that the stratified fuel injection engine need to be run on low-sulfur fuel, does this explain VW’s TSI (Turbo Stratified Injection) and Audi’s TFSI reliability issue in Malaysia? If this is so, VW owner with TSI engine should at least consider fueling only EURO4 RON97….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • VW TSI on Jun 16, 2016 at 7:11 pm

    does this explain the reliablity of issue of VW’s TSI engine in Malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required