Mercedes-Benz Denies Reports That It Will Use BMW Engines

“We have developed our own new family of engines … there is no truth to this,” says Markus Schaefer.

Mercedes-Benz has firmly denied rumors that it will source four-cylinder engines from rival BMW for its future models. The speculation had suggested a tie-up under which Mercedes would use the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of BMW to meet stricter emissions rules and help with hybrid-powertrain development.

During the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Mercedes-Benz CTO Markus Schaefer addressed the reports. He called them “not true” and said that the company has no plans to use BMW-built engines. He emphasized that the company is fully committed to its in-house engine program, called FAME (Family of Modular Engines). This program covers engine sizes from small four-cylinder units through larger six- and even 12-cylinder engines.

Schaefer also announced that Mercedes has redesigned its four- and six-cylinder engines under FAME. They already meet upcoming emission standards such as EU7, China 7, and U.S. regulations. A new high-performance V-8 engine is almost ready. Moreover, V-12s will continue to be offered in flagship models.

The rumors originally stemmed from reports in Autocar, Manager Magazin, and others that Mercedes was exploring using BMW’s B48 engine for some of its models. These included the C-Class, E-Class, CLA, GLA, and possibly the upcoming “baby G-wagen” SUV. The proposed plan aimed to save development costs and speed up compliance with the tougher emissions rules.

However, Mercedes insists that its path forward is to keep engineering its own combustion engines, even as it pushes ahead with electrification. The FAME family allows them to do this and ensures that their internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings will remain competitive and clean, as well as according to the global regulatory demands.