08 Aug 07 16:16
DiesOtto to feature in F700
Mercedes-Benz is to unveil a concept car called F700 - a 'radical' proposal for a large luxury car - at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The F700 will showcase Mercedes' innovative DiesOtto engine, a turbocharged 1.8-litre, four-cylinder unit that combines diesel-style automatic ignition with a conventional petrol spark plug system on start-up and under heavy accelerative demands. This engine is capable of a 235bhp output, but with near-40mpg fuel economy.
Mercedes has said that the DiesOtto engine is suitable for use in the S-Class, so it's a fair bet that this F700 is a preview of the next-generation luxury saloon. The company is set to unveil no fewer than 18 new models and concepts at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month; these will include the new C-Class estate, models with the new Bluetec diesel engines, and both diesel- and petrol-electric hybrids.
