here is link to the diamler employee blog w/ the post from the Mercedes Benz engineer that lead the Mercedes team that designed/developed the "suprex" engine. he even explains the origin of the name "Suprex".
Ten Years After: Projekt smart-Motor Daimler-Blog: Einblicke in einen Konzern
just in case the link degrades over time, below is an english translation of his post.......
"02
10.2009
Ten Years After: smart engine project
Ralf Kaufmann in Mercedes-Benz Cars
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10 years smart City-Coupé anniversary is also an occasion to recall once more the vehicle concept. Be honest, who knows something about the driving source of the city runabout, which has held from the start of production on the title of the consumption and CO2 world champion.
Even the packaging goes beyond the usual expectations. Hidden for many hardly be found, the rear engine is transversely and strongly inclined, where he is needed at the rear. Small displacement sports car, the rear motors are nestled in petrol and diesel run almost to the driver's seat. This "lowered" unit character and the standard turbocharger led to the term "Suprex" engine, a word created from the contents of "sub" as underground and ... "prex" as the ending of compressor names. When in May 1995 asked my boss if I wanted to take engine sizes in the development of micro-compact-car (short mcc, the former name), I did not think long and said to just determined.
What followed were three entertaining and exciting years. Coming from the segment of the 12 - and later six - and finally, four-cylinder engines, the development of the world's smallest mass-produced passenger car engine (3 cylinder), a major task and challenge - despite falling numbers of cylinders chronic personally ;-). "Reduce to the max" was not just an advertising slogan, but the motor program and tender at the same time.
For the first time the combustion principle of "Downsizing" is implemented consistently and without restrictions. This began with engine capacity of only 600 cc went through all-aluminum structure of the hood to the oil pan, bedplate design, market-unmatched lightweight components (crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons) to Twin-Spark and benchmark with friction, fuel consumption and - you marvel - even when the specific output per liter (in the top-variants). The unusual conditions and the creative atmosphere led almost inevitably to technical innovations, often in the form of patent applications.
Small and compact was the motto for the project structure. For the first time a staff, professional and spatially concentrated development team has been installed, which was characterized by short and efficient decision-making and working ways. The successful model was later - and is used in variations to the present - with the engine at new developments.
From this perspective, the smart project as a unique product but also in the internal organization can bring sustained momentum. The smart II as a modern evolution of the original sets this way with success."
This article was written by Ralf Kaufmann. In this blog, write Daimler employees and a few guest authors. Our authors come from different areas of the group and write about their own impressions, stories, and her own and thus give insight into the group. Why we do this, please see our page on the blog.
If you still think a company named "Suprex" was involved, why not send an email to Ralf and ask him?
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