BMW Engines in Mercedes Cars = Bad Idea

A star is unborn

Author

Sergiu Tudose
August 24th, 2025

Welcome to the latest issue of autoevolution weekly!

Let’s start by discussing the rumors about Mercedes planning to put BMW in their upcoming ICE cars and why that should never (ever) happen.

Next, a list that you should be very aware of as an EV owner (or prospective buyer): the 10 EVs that will depreciate the most over the next 5 years.

We continue our in-depth look at popular pickup truck trims with a comparison of the Ford Super Duty Godzilla vs the Ford Super Duty Power Stroke. Which one is right for you? We’ll help you decide.

You probably heard about the new Lamborghini Fenomeno, now let’s find out if the car lives up to its name.

Monterey Car Week 2025 wrapped up recently, so it’s time to look back at the highlights and winners. Interestingly enough, some of those aren’t even real (yet!)

Finally, a look at this week’s most interesting spy photos, starting with the off-road trim of the Ford F-150 Lightning.

PS: if this newsletter was forwarded to you, here’s a handy link if you’d like to subscribe yourself.

Table of Contents

Editorial: BMW Engines in Mercedes Cars Would Be a Bad Idea, Here’s Why

By: Sergiu Tudose

It’s been reported that Mercedes is in advanced talks with BMW to use the Bavarian carmaker’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline units on future ICE models. My first reaction was astonishment. Then I sort of understood the logistics and reasoning behind it. But now, about 24 hours since the story first broke, I’m fully convinced they should absolutely go back to the drawing board on this one.

This report is actually more of a rumor. What separates a report from a rumor? There’s only one source behind the latter, and while the news story has been aggregated by several outlets, the source remains one and the same – it has yet to be confirmed by anyone, let alone two parties.

As far as we know, there’s absolutely no smoke here, let alone fire. It’s how agents for professional athletes sometimes put out feelers to see which teams might be interested in their clients, and you’ll get to read about how team X and Y wants to trade for or sign player Z and it’s all just a smokescreen.

But for the sake of argument, let’s take it a step further though and assume there’s at least some truth to this rumor – it could simply be a negotiation tactic. The very thought of Mercedes importing core ICE units from its fiercest German rival is sensational enough to perhaps move conversations on price or industrial footprint with various suppliers.

Here’s another plausible scenario. Being Euro 7 compliant is going to prove very costly for carmakers, and so is hybridization, in general. Using power units such as BMW’s excellent B48 is very clever from a packaging and flexibility standpoint, seeing as how Mercedes’ own M252 engine is optimized more for mild hybrids rather than PHEV duty – that's where the BMW engine comes in.

Then there’s tariffs. In a world where Mercedes and BMW could perhaps share a production hub (potentially in the U.S), and where the focus is now on software and electrified drivetrains, an internal combustion engine in a plug-in hybrid vehicle could very well be the least damaging place to share hardware. Would customers even notice?

As for why it doesn’t make sense, well, the optics are terrible, for one. People really didn’t like Mercedes using the Renault co-developed M282 engine in its compact cars, even if the execution was solid. Yes, BMW is also a premium brand, but this could impact Mercedes even worse than the Renault deal specifically because it’s BMW. Enthusiasts wouldn’t see this as a synergy play, but rather some type of capitulation in the face of your no.1 rival.

Secondly, Mercedes is at a crossroads. They’re simultaneously trying to convince buyers that its hybrids are refined, efficient and quintessentially “Benz-like”, while also recalibrating its EV strategy. Taking on an outside engine, let alone one from BMW, could undermine that clarity. I mean, would AMG buyers ever accept a performance model where underneath the hood lies a BMW heart? Can’t believe I’m even typing those words together. It all sounds absolutely mental.

Thirdly, integration isn’t cheap. Yes, the B48 is a flexible and modern powertrain, but you’re basically trying to marry another OEM’s combustion architecture with Mercedes’ plug-in hybrid system and gearbox. Such a project would be a multi-year exercise, costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Would it really be cheaper than Mercedes working out their own issues?

And lastly (and my personal favorite), such a deal would risk Mercedes ceding long-term ICE know-how to its main rival. If the Stuttgart carmaker starts importing four-cylinder engines from BMW while focusing its combustion expertise on twin turbo V8 engines, the company might lose expertise in the very engine class that underpins the highest global volumes.

Note: this is an abridged version, you can find the full article on our site.

The 10 EVs With the Worst Resale Value After 5 Years

By: Cristian Agatie

Note: this is an abridged version of the full article that you can read on our site.

Despite predictions that electric vehicles will become dominant by the end of the decade, the recent market trends suggest this will not be the case. The EV sales have slowed down in 2024 and are now going into reverse. The third quarter might be the outlier, as people rushed to buy an EV while the federal tax credit is still available, but the fourth quarter will show a different picture.

These EVs resale value is… not great

There are several causes for this, and one of the most important is Elon Musk's falling from grace with the liberals. These are, coincidentally, the most likely buyers of electric vehicles. Many people rallied to boycott Tesla, and some sold their cars at a loss to make a statement. Then there was vandalism and shaming that made some reconsider their purchases.

If you think they turned to other EV brands, you are partly right, but many bought a gas or hybrid car instead. This is obvious because other EV brands have not absorbed all Tesla's losses, and the sales of hybrids have taken off. Moreover, people selling their Teslas for cheap caused a spillover into the pre-owned market, with used prices falling across the board.

Unsurprisingly, electric vehicles are among those that depreciate the fastest, a new reality confirmed in a recent iSeeCars study. While the average car in the US loses 45.6% after five years, EVs lose 58.8% on average. Meanwhile, hybrid vehicles retain the most value after five years, with a 40.7% average depreciation. Out of 25 car models with the worst depreciation after five years, six are powered by electricity.

It's worth pointing out that depreciation is the single largest factor affecting the cost of ownership, even though this is not immediately obvious. People have to confront it only when they try to sell or trade in their cars and notice they lost a lot compared to other makes and models. That's why you should be cautious when buying one of the EVs in our roundup, which are known to incur high depreciation after five years.

The full list of most-depreciating EVs:

  1. Audi Q8 e-tron

  2. Cadillac Lyriq

  3. Rivian R1S

  4. Tesla Model S

  5. Ford Mustang Mach-E

  6. Nissan Leaf

  7. Tesla Model X

  8. KIA EV6

  9. Tesla Model Y

  10. Tesla Cybertruck

For a lot more info (including prices) into EV depreciation and the rationale behind the list, please continue reading on our site.

Ford Super Duty Godzilla vs. Ford Super Duty Power Stroke: Which Engine Is Best for You?

By: Mircea Panait

Easily the most capable heavy-duty truck family in the United States of America, the Super Duty line offers a plethora of configurations to satisfy the needs of as many customers as possible. Said configurations include no fewer than three engine choices with different advantages and weaknesses from each other.

Torque favors the Power Stroke, and torque matters a lot more than power when it comes to pulling a trailer. The Godzilla isn't shabby either, not when other automakers don't have anything to match the 7.3-liter pushrod V8 that Ford assembles in Windsor, Ontario.

Although it does not have a name, the base 6.8-liter gas V8 can be described as a short-stroked version of the 7.3-liter Godzilla mentioned just earlier. To whom it may concern, General Motors and the Ram brand couldn't do better than 6.8 and 6.4 liters, respectively, for the gas engines in their heavy-duty trucks.

This puts the Super Duty at an advantage in this particular space, but as it happens, the Super Duty's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 also has the upper hand over the rivaling 6.6-liter Duramax and 6.7-liter Cummins used by Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram. Which engine is better suited for what in the F-Series Super Duty?

Before answering that question, let's dig a little deeper into each of the three lumps. Because the Godzilla predates the 6.8 and happens to be more affordable than either version of the Power Stroke, we are kicking this off with the larger gasoline-drinking mill.

 Note: this is an abridged version of the article, for the full explainer and the rationale behind the conclusions that follow, see the full text on our site.

So which engine option is best for your Ford Super Duty truck?

To answer this question, one first has to ask oneself if they're getting a Super Duty for work or regular use, including as a family vehicle. Also consider whether your primary need is payload or towing. And furthermore, yearly mileage should be considered as well.

Starting with customers who intend to drive more than the average person does in a single year, the diesel is a good call. On the other hand, the Power Stroke is more expensive upfront and to maintain. Power Stroke is the way to go for towing duties as well. Its maximum 40,000-pound rating puts it well above rival diesels.

The maximum towing capacity of the competing 2025 Ram HD with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbocharged inline-six engine is 36,610 pounds or 16,606 kilograms. The Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD from General Motors both top 36,000 pounds or 16,329 kilograms with 6.6-liter Duramax V8 oomph.

Customers in the market for a dual-purpose Super Duty should consider the SuperCrew XLT at the very least, while those who intend to use it as a family vehicle first and foremost are better off with the better-equipped Lariat or snazzier trim levels of the heavy-duty pickup.

As highlighted earlier, the 6.8 offers the most available payload for model year 2025. The quoted 8,000 pounds are nothing compared to the maximum 15,140 pounds (6,867 kilograms) of the F-600 Chassis Cab with dual rear wheels and rear-wheel drive. To achieve said 15,140-pound rating, customers have to select the 7.3-liter Godzilla over the 6.7-liter Power Stroke.

Those going for the Chassis Cab are further presented with a Line-Drive power takeoff provision. Only available with the 7.3-liter Godzilla and 6.7-liter Power Stroke, the PTO flaunts mobile mode and up to 300 pound-feet (407 Newton-meters) of torque.

Is Lamborghini's New Supercar a Real Phenomenon?

By: Cristian Gnaticov

Lamborghini's latest toy for a tiny chunk of the world's one percenters is called the Fenomeno. It premiered at the Monterey Car Week this month, and while we already covered it when it first appeared, we decided to take another look at it. After all, it's not like the Raging Bull comes out with 'few-off' supercars on a daily basis, right?

In plain Lamborghini fashion, this exotic vehicle is indeed named after a famous fighting bull, as we initially suspected. According to the Sant'Agata Bolognese-based exotic auto marque, the bull fought in Morelia, Mexico, back in 2002, and was actually pardoned "for the exceptional qualities it demonstrated" during a fight "between two 'toreros.'”

Lamborghini Fenomeno

'Fenomeno' stands for 'phenomenon,' but does that apply to the actual supercar? Well, let's see, starting with the exterior design, as this is the thing people first see when it rolls up. It is instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini and stands out from the Revuelto, on which it is based, by featuring a coachbuilt body. That's right, the coachbuilding tradition still exists today, and Lamborghini isn't the only company committed to it.

Compared to the Revuelto, the new Lamborghini Fenomeno has a less pointy nose and different headlights with a fresh DRL signature. The front bumper looks more intricate and the front hood is more aggressive, though for what it's worth, we think the Revuelto wins in this aspect. The same goes for the profile, which looks kind of busy on the Fenomeno, and the back end, which sort of has that 'unfinished' look to it. The taillights still have a Y shape, though they are now mounted vertically instead of horizontally on the Revuelto.

For a multi-million dollar machine, the cockpit doesn't look that special compared to its more mainstream sibling. In fact, it seems that everything carries over, from the dashboard panel to the steering wheel, and from the center console, digital gauges, and central screen to the passenger display. Nevertheless, it's not like those who are intended to buy it will find this annoying, as they will get one of the rarest and coolest cars on our planet.

 For more about the Lamborghini Fenomeno, please continue reading on our site.

Monterey Car Week 2025: The Absolute Winners Aren't Even Real (Yet)

By: Aurel Niculescu

Teasers started flowing two weeks before the actual start of the Monterey Car Week, three weeks if you also consider the most important events (The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance) kicked off during the final weekend of the automotive party.

There was also something for everyone – from a new Shelby Mustang (not Ford's, the real Shelby American) to a fresh Range Rover Sport and from three wild new Infiniti concepts to one-offs by Bugatti or Bentley. Do we even need to remind you of them? The Bentley Batur Convertible may have started as a familiar Bentley model, but it's extra-special, and the Bugatti created a custom hypercar as the first installment of the new Programme Solitaire.

Chevrolet Corvette CX Concept

Of course, we also need to discuss the highlights – the legendary Gordon Murray practically resurrected the McLaren F1 GTR in the form of a modern spiritual successor, the GMA S1 LM, the first ultra-low-volume special model, crafted specifically for a very affluent customer who's got a passion for the McLaren F1's victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But it wasn't the only one.

The famed Ringbrothers brought a 'lady' to the party – Octavia is actually an Aston Martin DBS restomod featuring 805 horsepower and looking like it could easily teach a Ford Mustang GTD a lesson or two about acting like a true muscle car. Lexus brought a Sports Concept that isn't electric – the resulting production model will most likely be electrified and fight the hybrid offerings from Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, or Corvette.

We loved the Lucid Gravity X because of how it looks, the Acura RSX because of its promises, Cadillac's Elevated Velocity concept because it doesn't forget to have fun, and appreciated how the Ford Mustang GTD went bareback with full carbon fiber attire instead of paint. Of course, there was also the Lamborghini Fenomeno, which is pretty darn loud both in terms of looks and sound, plus extra-expensive at $3.5 million a pop, but the Americans beat it to the punch: Hennessey launched the bespoke Maverick division with the one-of-one Venom F5 Revolution LF. 

Note: For the full review and conclusions, please continue reading on our site.

Ford F-150 Lightning Getting Off-Road Trim (spy photos)

By: Mircea Panait

The internal combustion F-150 offers both off-road packages and off-road trim levels. Not long now, the F-150 Lightning will follow suit with a go-anywhere specification of its own. Although it features both Tremor and Rattler goodies, the electric truck spied by autoevolution's carparazzi seems to lean more into the Tremor grade than the discontinued Rattler option.

Visually different from other versions of the F-150 Lightning by means of a horizontal blue strip on the front grille, the new kid on the block also packs Tremor-inspired running boards, 18-inch alloy wheels mounted with 275/65 all-terrain rubber boots, and slightly beefier rear suspension componentry. Don't look forward to more power and torque, though.

Ford F-150 Lightning off-road trim level (Tremor/Rattler?)

The spy photographers also managed to get up close and personal with the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder on public roads in the United States of America. A three-row crossover with a lot going for it, the front-biased sport utility vehicle should be revealed by the end of 2025 with minor stylistic and interior upgrades.

Across the pond, European automakers are busy in their own right. Mercedes, for example, has recently started testing its electric C-Class at the Nurburgring. Believed to be called C-Class with EQ Technology, the compact executive sedan will drop in 2026 for model year 2027 with 800-volt goodies, rear- and twin-motor powertrains, and a purported maximum range of 870 kilometers (540 miles) in the WLTP.

While on the subject of European manufacturers, Porsche is likely going to upset a great deal of Neunelfer enthusiasts with the 992.2 phase of the 911 GT3 RS. Based on the test vehicle's heavily modified rear end with two central exhaust pipes and two lesser pipes that are barely visible at the sides of the diffuser, we might be in for a turbocharged makeover.

Under the full-width rear light bar and above the rear license plate, the prototype in question almost certainly hides a ventilation grille for the cooling requirements of a turbocharged boxer. In addition to forced induction, Porsche may also discontinue the current 4.0-liter engine for a new version of the 3.6 that premiered in the 992.2-series 911 Carrera GTS.

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