I was wondering, does Chrysler or Mercedes have any type of variable valve timing or lift device(VTEC, VVTL-i, Vanos, etc.) in their cars or on the drawing board? I am wondering because nearly all of the other foreign car makers are incorporating these into their cars, Honda/Acura being the first with VTEC and VTEC-E, Toyota with VVT-i and VVTL-i, and BMW with Vanos (I think that is what it is called). The american car manufacturers dont look like they are going to have it any time soon. I am just wondering. Thanks for your input.

pezzy the '94/95 E320's
 

have vvt on one of the cam's.
Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV

yes,self-hydraulic lifters.

MB started using varible intake cam timing in 1989 on the 500SL & 300SL. Now they are using multiple spark & varible spark timing with 3 valve @ cylinder technology. MUCH less $$$ to build & maintain.

So the cars w/ 3 valves per cylinder have timing on the intake valves only, not the exaust valves as well, right ? I think with the new engines coming out in a couple of years MB will use timing on both the intake and exaust valves, don't you think ?

unlike Honda's VTEC, MB does not have variable lift - only variable timing.

but Honda's system is not continuously variable - it cuts in only at a specified RPM/load, using a separate set of cams. MB's is continuously variable, i believe.

From 1998 MB engines DON'T have variable cam timing, but use variable SPARK timing. All are 3 valve @ cylinder. The SLK230K still uses 4V @ cyl with variable intake timing.

VVTi in MB
 

I thought I read in the S-Class brochure that the S600 does ave variable valve timing..

Yes, the older v-12 does (2000 and back). As of the newer one, it does not from what I gather.