NEW 2.8 and 3.2-litre V6 engines are to be launched by Mercedes-Benz and will first appear in the UK in E280 and E320 models built from next month. The new engines, which weigh under 330lbs, are 110lbs lighter than the straight-six cylinder engines they replace and are claimed to be around 20% lighter than competitive V6 engines.

Fuel savings of 13% over the out-going engines are also claimed along with lower emission levels but more power and torque result in the ability to drive the car one gear higher than with the old engine.

The engines also requires 30% less servicing due to ASSYST - Active Service System. A sensor in the engine continually monitors oil quality and informs the driver via an instrument display. As a result oil changes could be extended to 18,600 miles. Mercedes-Benz claims the new V6 engines are the first production engines in the world to use three valves per cylinder and two spark plugs.