"Mercedes to Launch New 'BlueEfficiency' Diesel " Green Car Advisor

Mercedes to Launch New 'BlueEfficiency' Diesel

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

More good news on the diesel front: Mercedes-Benz says it will launch a new generation of super-efficient diesel engines later this year, starting with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder "BlueEfficiency" powerplant.

The new diesel engine will debut in a limited production C-Class sedan to be called the "C 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Prime Edition."

(And while the engine may be efficient, the nameplate sure isn't. Imagine how much energy is consumed stamping out badges with all that verbage on 'em!)

The turbocharged engine, which uses high-pressure, common-rail direct injection, churns out 204 horsepower (150 kilowatts) and, as is a diesel's tendency, tons and tons of torque - 369 pound-feet, or 500 Newton-meters.

That's enough for a 7.0-second acceleration time from zero to 62 mph (100 kilometers per hour) and a top sped of 155 mph (250 kph), according to Mercedes.

Overall fuel economy is estimated at 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers or about 45 miles per gallon on the European test cycle, which typically gives vehicles higher mileage than they'd achieve under the EPA test in the U.S.

And the reason we're providing the stats in metric measure is that the car will be aimed first at European markets and only 5,000 will be produced.

There's no word yet on whether the new engine will ever show up in the U.S., but Mercedes drops a hint by saying that while not yet meeting tough U.S. diesel emissions standards, the 250 CDI "has the potential to comply."

Mercedes said in a release today that it believes the engine is powerful and responsive enough to be "a sensible alternative to the higher-displacement six-cylinder engines in future."

The automaker said its compact new engine can be mounted lengthways or crossways, can be tuned for several different power and torque configurations and initially will replace four of the company's existing diesel powerplants.

In addition to its use in the C-Class, it will be installed in various E-Class and GLK-Class models and in the forthcoming E-Class Coupe.

Using the engine in the heavier E and GLK models will help Mercedes lower its overall carbon footprint by improving the vehicles' fuel economy.

For you gear-heads, Mercedes offers the following engine stats:

Maximum ignition pressure of 200 bar, or 2,900 psi;

Fourth-generation common-rail diesel injection technology with a rail pressure increased by 400 bar to 2,000 bar, or 29,000 psi;

A new piezo-injector with direct nozzle needle control for greater flexibility in injection timing;

Larger, variable oil spray nozzles;

Variable water pump;

Dual-stage supercharging;

Camshaft drive positioned at the rear to help designers comply with European pedestrian safety standards that call for increased crush zones between the top of the hood and the engine surfaces beneath it.

The limited editon BlueEfficiency Prime Edition package also includes airflow-enhancing exterior-mirror housings and smooth underbody cladding for improved aerodynamics; newly developed low rolling-resistance tires; and an energy-management system with adaptive power steering that closes down the power-steering pump when it is not required.

The six-speed transmission includes a dashboard display telling the driver the best points at which to change gears for maximum fuel efficiency.

And all this for a mere 40,638 euros - which works out to $57,048 at today's exchange rate.