Mercedes to share engines

Mercedes will get Renault-Nissan’s new 128bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine as part of the two firms’ recent tie-up, sources in France have revealed. The new engine will make its way into Mercedes smaller models, in particular its new A-class and B-class ranges that will start to appear from next year.

In return, Stuttgart’s 2.0-litre petrol engine and its range of V6 and V8 units will be used for Renault-Nissan group models. The Renault-Nissan brand most likely to benefit from the deal is Infiniti, whose IPL performance models could carry ‘Powered by AMG' badges.

Sources say the IPL version of the M, Infiniti’s 5-series rival, could end up using AMG’s 6.2-litre V8. That would allow the M IPL to undercut the E63 AMG but rival Jaguar’s XFR. The two firms are also working together on a new range of three and four-cylinder petrol and diesels to be used in Mercedes, Smarts, Renaults and Nissans.

Ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 litres, the engines will be engineered by Daimler and built by Renault. They too will be used in the next A and B-class models, as well as next-gen Clios and Meganes.