Mercedes twin turbo V6 to be introduced to the UK

A Mercedes twin turbo V6 petrol engine is to be introduced to the UK with the arrival of heavily revised versions of the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet.

It is a 3.0-litre Mercedes twin turbo V6 unit which replaces the turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 in the outgoing models, with significant improvements in fuel economy and emissions.

The new V6 develops 330bhp for the E400 Coupé and Cabriolet. That puts it between Mercedes’ exisiting 3.5-litre single-turbo V6, which develops 303bhp, and the 404bhp of the outgoing V8.

The twin-turbo engine has been tuned to deliver the effortless torque befitting a touring coupé or convertible rather than to masquerade as a pseudo racing engine. Its 480Nm is available between 1,400rpm and 4,000rpm.

The official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the E400 Coupé are 37.2mpg and 177g/km, while for the heavier Cabriolet they are 35.8mpg and 185g/km. These are improvements of up to 5.5mpg and 32g/km over the figures for the V8 models. That’s a very impressive set of figures as an advancement from the old V8 engine’s stats.

Mercedes describes the 3.0-litre V6 engine as “all-new, but with some parts from the 3.5-litre V6”. The original plan was to add a second turbo to the 3.5-litre unit, but Mercedes discovered it could get the performance it wanted with greater efficiency from a smaller-capacity twin-turbo engine.

The 3.5-litre engine will remain in production for customers in other markets who want V6 power at a lower cost, while the V8 remains an additional offering outside the UK. Mercedes says there are no plans to fit the twin-turbo engine to UK versions of the E-Class saloon and estate, which are sold primarily with diesel engines, but that the decision could be revised if there is demand.

Obviously, once released, the new engined Mercedes will be available to buy or lease from OSV.

What do you think of the prospect of a Mercedes twin turbo V6?