Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out a Cross Between a Gas and Diesel Engine

Mercedes-Benz rolled out the intriguing DiesOtto powertrain concept on Tuesday. It's basically a cross between a gas and a diesel engine that "requires no synthetic fuels but can be operated using conventional gasoline." It did not specify a timetable for when such a unit would be available in a production vehicle, stating only that "the new drive concept is a feasible proposition in the midterm."

"Our next goal will now be to make the gasoline engine as economical as a diesel," said Herbert Kohler, Mercedes-Benz head of group research and advanced engineering vehicle and powertrain and DaimlerChrysler's chief environmental officer.

The DiesOtto is a 238-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 295 pound-feet of torque. It features direct gasoline injection, turbocharging and variable compression, along with "controlled auto ignition," which is described as a "highly efficient combustion process similar to that of a diesel." Fuel consumption is said to be "less than 6 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers," or about 39 mpg. Mercedes-Benz said the aforementioned numbers do not apply to a "small or compact car, but to a vehicle the size of the current S-Class." Kohler added that with the market enthusiasm for diesels and conventional gas engines, the automaker is "giving our attention to both engine types — including a full hybrid option for diesel and gasoline vehicles."