Mercedes-Benz's M106: Pioneering the V6 Era in Historic Engines
In the latter part of the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz underwent a mechanical revolution by introducing a series of V6 and V8 engines featuring three valves per cylinder. The V6 engines, identified by the M112 designation, replaced the earlier M104 inline six-cylinder engines. In many instances, they retained the same displacements, bore, and stroke dimensions as their predecessors but were characterized by a lighter weight.
These V6 engines marked a historic moment for the company as they were the first of their kind in Mercedes-Benz's history. The M112 series broke new ground, utilizing the V-architecture for six-cylinder engines, a departure from the company's previous inline configurations. However, it's worth noting that the initial V6 engine to bear the Mercedes-Benz emblem was a racing engine that had been developed a few years prior.
M106: Designed for the Successor of the 190 Evo II
The inaugural V6 engine from the German brand, designated as the M106, was crafted in 1994 specifically for racing purposes in an FIA Class 1 homologated saloon based on the C-Class W202. This vehicle took over from the iconic 190E on both road and track.
This racing car served as the successor to the 190E Evo II, which utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. For the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz made the strategic decision to develop a fresh V6 engine, also with a 2.5-liter capacity, suitable for installation in a low-profile car with a rearward-mounted position.
The M106 engine shared close ties with the 4.2-liter V8 M119 used in flagship models like the E-Class 420. Similar to the latter, it featured a 90° angle between the cylinder banks, four valves per cylinder, and twin overhead camshafts. This distinguished it from the subsequent V8 M113 and the previously mentioned V6 M112, both of which featured three valves per cylinder controlled by a single camshaft per bank.
Featuring a short-stroke design with a bore and stroke measuring 90 x 68 mm, the M106 engine was optimized for higher revs. Possessing a compression ratio of 12:1, the engine employed fuel injection. In its initial 1994 version, the maximum output was approximately 365 bhp at 9,500 rpm. However, subsequent evolutions saw an increase to 493 bhp at 11,500 rpm in 1996.
The C-Class V6 DTM, powered by this engine, secured two DTM championships in 1994 and 1995 and triumphed in the ITC in 1995. Notably, it outperformed formidable competitors like the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI and the Opel Calibra DTM.
While the Opel Calibra DTM boasted all-wheel drive, the Mercedes-Benz saloon, whose road-going counterpart lacked 4WD versions until the next generation, featured rear-wheel drive with the gearbox positioned at the rear.
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