Mercedes-Benz is considering the use of a three-cylinder engine in its high-end cars, reports say. 

Bernhard Heil, Mercedes-Benz powertrain chief, told Car & Drive that a three-cylinder unit could perform well with its compact size and ability to be transversely mounted for front-wheel drive vehicles. However, Heil does not find the small engines to be very competent due to vibration, noise and harshness issues.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

However, pairing the small engine with a hybrid powertrain would help exclude a number of issues. If built, the three-cylinder hybrid engine would only be used for front-wheel drive vehicles, including the GLA, A-Class, CLA or B-Class models.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact