The range topper is a new 204hp 2.1L unit with a peak torque of 500Nm – as much twist-force as a petrol V8. Despite the increase in power and torque, the new four-cylinder diesel burns substantially less fuel than its predecessor and as a consequence CO2 emissions are reduced by as much as 13% and are now in line with future EU5 emissions standard.
The extra performance comes from several tweaks to the injection and common-rail system, now in its fourth generation, as well as an increase in fuel pressure, higher turbo boost from new twin-stage turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers and exhaust recirculation and improved fuel and water pumps.
The new engine lineup will initially be offered in the C-Class sedan. It will come in three guises: 250CDI with 204hp, 220 CDI with 170hp and the 200CDI with 136hp. There are also plans to put the engine into SUV's, as well as install it in hybrids and possibly combine it with Mercedes' BLUETEC technology. The top of the line 250CDI will accelerate from 0-60mph in about 7.7 seconds and still return fuel economy of 46mpg.
Reader Comments
Thu Apr 10 2008 2:12 PM
chris says
wouldnt this also be a base engine in the E class? specially the 250 version with 200 hp.
This little thing is spectacular, and to think that in about 5 years, many manufacturers will start with sparkless petrol, and you can expect petrol engines to perform to this standard,... simply incredible. and then you put on ford's ecoboost... Yeah I can see the 2018 focus with 60mpg... very easily. I already get 40mpg with mine.
Thu Apr 10 2008 8:43 PM
CK says
Spectacular? It is just normal progression. Even Ford's holy child ecoboost isn't a new idea at all. When it comes to small engines the big three have slept very long.
Fri Apr 11 2008 10:56 AM
chris says
CK;it's spectacular to think that mechanical systems like this are progressing as fast as they are. in the computer age we've come to expect doubling results every 18 months, whether something should become 2x cheaper, 2x more efficient, etc...
what IS spectacular is that you can redesign an engine and get 13% fewer emissions and much more power out of just one generational redesign.
what's spectacular is that something as crude as putting an explosive into an open ended container and then capping it could actually be redesigned after over 100 years of this idea being worked on and improved on and you can still pull a 13% gain out of it.
You're talking about gaining 40 hp, while consuming less gas, and getting 13% better emissions? you realize how long it took for 2L engines to even MAKE 40hp, let alone GAIN 40 ADDITIONAL hp over "last year's model"?
I'm sorry but when Ford takes their 2L petrol and bumps it from 140 hp to 170 hp, while making it consume less gas, and burning cleaner, you WILL see me do cart wheels.
Fri Apr 11 2008 11:45 AM
admin says
CK, Chris is right. We have been very impressed with the way the German manufacturers are pushing the boundries of diesel engines. 46mpg is very very impressive for an entry level luxury car.
Also note the 204hp and 400Nm diesel from BMW - http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/400nm-four-banger-diesel-from-bmw/
Looks like Mercedes is saying "anything you can do we can do better."
:)
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