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Daimler exec hypothetically discusses 3-cylinder engines for small hybrids

Is three the magic number of cylinders for Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and its efforts to build smaller powertrains for its compact hybrids? Potentially, yes, the German automaker could see the need for three-cylinder mills, Automotive News reports. The company doesn't have any plans for them as of yet, though. Daimler executive Bernhard Heil talked with Automotive News about the challenges of using four-cylinder engines in a front-wheel-drive setup and said that three-cylinder engines could work in transverse-mounted powertrains for hybrid cars. For now, though, the company doesn't actually have any plans to go in that direction, Mercedes-Benz spokesman Christoph Horn said in an e-mail to AutoblogGreen. Horn wrote that Heil "actually said that if ever MB would use a three-cylinder engine than [it would be] in a configuration where space is restricted, such as when using a hybrid power train in a compact car." Of course, the only compact "hybrid" that Mercedes-Benz has is the 2015 C-Class, but that refers to the "hybrid" body is made of 48-percent aluminum, up from the current nine percent, as well as steel. It has nothing to do with the powertrain. Beyond that, there's always the Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid that the company unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall, but that model, which will debut in Europe later this year and arrive stateside next year, has a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and an 80-kilowatt electric motor that propels the plug-in from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. Not exactly three-cylinder territory, that.

Best car infotainment systems: From UConnect to MBUX, these are our favorites

Declaring one infotainment system the best over any other is an inherently subjective matter. You can look at quantitative testing for things like input response time and various screen load times, but ask a room full of people that have tried all car infotainment systems what their favorite is, and you’re likely to get a lot of different responses. For the most part, the various infotainment systems available all share a similar purpose. They aim to help the driver get where they're going with navigation, play their favorite tunes via all sorts of media playback options and allow folks to stay connected with others via phone connectivity. Of course, most go way beyond the basics these days and offer features like streaming services, in-car performance data and much more. Unique features are aplenty when you start diving through menus, but how they go about their most important tasks vary widely. Some of our editors prefer systems that are exclusively touch-based and chock full of boundary-pushing features. Others may prefer a back-to-basics non-touch system that is navigable via a scroll wheel. You can compare it to the phone operating system wars. Just like some prefer Android phones over iPhones, we all have our own opinions for what makes up the best infotainment interface. All that said, our combined experience tells us that a number of infotainment systems are at least better than the rest. WeÂ’ve narrowed it down to five total systems in their own subcategories that stand out to us. Read on below to see our picks, and feel free to make your own arguments in the comments. Best infotainment overall: UConnect 5, various Stellantis products Ram 1500 Uconnect Infotainment System Review If thereÂ’s one infotainment system that all of us agree is excellent, itÂ’s UConnect. It has numerous qualities that make it great, but above all else, UConnect is simple and straightforward to use. Ease of operation is one of the most (if not the single most) vital parts of any infotainment system interface. If youÂ’re expected to be able to tap away on a touchscreen while driving and still pay attention to the road, a complex infotainment system is going to remove your attention from the number one task at hand: driving. UConnect uses a simple interface that puts all of your key functions in a clearly-represented row on the bottom of the screen. Tap any of them, and it instantly pulls up that menu.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe looks just as banging as big brother

When Mercedes-Benz redesigned the C-Class, the new sedan was crafted as a sort of baby S-Class, both inside and out. So is it really any surprise that with the 2017 C-Class Coupe, MB has once again looked to its flagship model for inspiration? The new C Coupe is, for all intents and purposes, a scaled-down S-Class Coupe, featuring many of the same styling cues that make that big two-door such a stunner. The pert tail is set off by the same kind of duck-bill spoiler integrated into the rear decklid and horizontal taillights. A strong shoulder line emphasizes the aggressive slope of the roof and the high beltline, which if anything is more aggressive than what Mercedes penned for the S-Class Coupe. Up front, a strong grille is flanked by scale model's of the S Coupe's headlights, complete with LED lighting accents. It's a similar story in the cabin, where Mercedes scaled things down but really didn't skimp on style or materials. Expect the C Coupe's mechanicals to mirror those of its four-door counterpart. The C300, the only version of the new two-door to be announced so far, will use the same 241-horsepower, 273-pound-foot, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder as the C300 sedan. We'd expect the rest of the engine range to get fleshed out over time, with the more potent C400, C450 AMG Sport, and C63 AMG coming online. While not specified, a seven-speed automatic should be on hand to funnel power to either the back wheels or to a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, here in the C300. As for optional extras, Mercedes specifically mentions an Airmatic suspension, a vast suite of safety systems, and a 360-degree camera, to name just a few. As with the engine lineup, expect the options sheet to mimic the C-Class Sedan. You can read more about the new C-Class Coupe in the attached press release. We've also embedded a hefty gallery of images at the top of the page. The new C Coupe will make its auto show debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, and will hit dealers in the US next this spring. Related Video: The all-new MY2017 C300 and C300 4MATIC Coupe Seduction of the heart and mind Stuttgart – Athletic and sporty, the vivid, sensual design of the new C-Class Coupe cuts a fine figure on the road and embodies modern luxury. At the same time, its interior raises elegance and style to a sporty level.