Kompressor (stylized as KOMPRESSOR) is a marketing name for forced induction (supercharged) Mercedes-Benz engines. The term is not widely used by other motor manufacturers.
The first Mercedes supercharger was developed in 1921 by a Daimler-Benz team with assistance from Ferdinand Porsche.[1] Mercedes became the first manufacturer to install superchargers on some production models.[2][3][4] The designation "K" on Mercedes usually means "Kurz", or short, but can mean "Kompressor".[5]
Models with Kompressor option
A Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG (W220), the only iteration of the S-Class offered with Kompressor
In 2002 for the 2003 model year, a new family of supercharged four cylinder engines, dubbed M271, debuted for the entire C-Class range. All of them used the same 1.8-litre engine, with different designations according to horsepower levels, including a version powered by natural gas. The C 230 Kompressor variant sported 142 kW (190 hp).[6][7] The newer 1.8-litre was less powerful but smoother and more efficient than the older 2.3-litre engine 141 kW (192 PS) compared to 142 kW (193 PS).
Initial engine options comprised the C 180 (139 PS), C220 (143 PS), C 200 Kompressor, and C 230 Kompressor. In 2003, Mercedes-Benz added the C 180 Kompressor, followed by the C 200 compressor in 2003-2007 (187 hp), and finally the C 160 Kompressor in 2005. The C 230 SportCoupé was powered by a 2.3-litre supercharged, four-cylinder motor. It offered 143 kW (192 hp) and 270 N⋅m (200 lb⋅ft) of torque. However, the supercharged inline-four engine was considered to be coarse and noisy at the high end.[7][8]
"32" 3.2 L V6 Kompressor
Powertrain consists of AMG SPEEDSHIFT black series 5-speed automatic transmission mated to an AMG 3.2 liter V6 Kompressor engine with an output of 260 kW/349 hp and 332 lb⋅ft (450 N⋅m) @ 4,400 rpm. The engine is a special version of the 3.2 L (3199 cc) M112 E32, fitted with a helical twin-screwsupercharger and water-to-air intercooler. The supercharger was developed in conjunction with IHI and features Teflon-coated rotors producing overall boost of 14.5 psi (1 bar). Compared to the standard M112 engine, the AMG version also has a new crankshaft, new con rods and pistons, an oil pump with a 70-percent increased capacity, lightweight camshafts, and stiffer valve springs for a redline of 6200 rpm, an increase of 200 rpm.[9]
While rival BMW M developed the SMG-IIautomated manual for the BMW M3, the C32 and SLK32 have a 5-speed automatic transmission's "Speedshift" system which now has quicker response (up to 35 percent) to accelerator and shift selector movements.[10]
The M113 Kompressor, also nicknamed M113K, is supercharged variant of the M113 V8. It is a 5.4 L V8 engine with a Lysholm type twin screw supercharger and water-to-air intercooler. The supercharger was developed in conjunction with IHI and features Teflon-coated rotors, is found in the rest of the AMG 55 models which are typically midsized or larger vehicles. The published output according to Mercedes varies from 476 PS (350 kW; 469 hp) to 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) and 700 N⋅m (520 lb⋅ft) to 720 N⋅m (530 lb⋅ft), depending on various methods of power measurements and different ECU programming for national legislations. For instance, the E55 AMG's engine was at the low end, nonetheless it was still Mercedes-Benz's fastest sedan at the time,[12] while the SL55 AMG's engine had the top output.[13][14] Mercedes has claimed that a more restrictive exhaust system was responsible for cutting output on the E55 AMG, however some enthusiasts have managed to bump up horsepower to 505 on the E55 by incorporating some parts from the SL55.[15]
The M113K was mated to the Speedshift 5-speed automatic transmission, which has a torque capacity of 796 lb⋅ft (1,079 N⋅m), as the newer 7G-Tronic introduced in 2003 is limited to 542 lb⋅ft (735 N⋅m), not enough to handle the torque from the supercharged V8.[16][17]
The V8 S55 AMG had a comparable output to the V12-powered S600 throughout their production. The S55 AMG (2001–02) was outfitted with a 5.4L 354 hp (264 kW) V8 motor while the later versions (2003–06) sported the same motor, but supercharged to a rated 493 hp (386 kW). The S600 (2001–02) was outfitted with a 5.8L 362 hp (270 kW) V12 engine while the later versions (2003–06) sported a twin-turbocharged (or Bi-Turbo) 493 hp (368 kW) 5.5L V12. The justification for having two models with the same power is that the S55 AMG is sportier and more responsive, while the costlier S600 is more luxurious with a smoother ride.
AMG phased out the supercharged 5.4 L engines in favor of the new M156 V8 beginning in 2006, which was paired with 7G-Tronic. However, some enthusiasts were disappointed because the M156 produces less torque than the supercharged M155.[18]
^A Complete Guide to Street Supercharging - Page 21 Pat Ganahl - 2009 One of the first companies to use superchargers for automobiles in Germany was Daimler (which made the Mercedes cars, later to merge with Benz in 1926). With the assistance of Dr. Porsche, who worked for Daimler at the time, ...
^Standard Catalog Of Mercedes-Benz - Page 12 Jim Luikens, Mary Hedberg - 2009 -"Early in the 1920s, Daimler (Mercedes) became the first manufacturer to install a supercharger on a production model. Supercharging was first used on the 6/25/40 1.6-liter four and also on the 10/40/65 2614 cc engine.
^Alan Allard - Turbocharging & supercharging 1986 "As a result of this success with their first supercharged model, Mercedes designed a supercharged 1 '/j-litre sports car which competed in the 1922 Targa Florio. All the early Mercedes supercharging systems employed a roots-type blower, ..."
^Jeff Hartman - Supercharging Performance Handbook - Page 9 2011 "In 1921, a supercharged 28/95 Mercedes developed by a Daimler team with assistance from Ferdinand Porsche ... "
^Mercedes-Benz - Page 1922 Dennis Adler - 2008 "A car with a "K" suffix can also denote a supercharger, which is the more common usage.) First seen in 1927, the S series models were the first all-new cars to come from Daimler-Benz (although the cars would be called Mercedes- Benz)."
