News

Mercedes-Benz Debuts High-Tech Diesel Car for U.S. Market


Quiet, Powerful Engine to Change Perceptions About Diesel

DETROIT, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz, the company that invented
the diesel car, is debuting a new diesel-powered car for the U.S. market.
Beginning this spring, the company will market an E320 CDI, a highly
fuel-efficient diesel version of its successful E-Class sedan. The new
E-Class diesel is on display during the North American International Auto Show
at the Cobo Center in Detroit, January 10-19, 2004.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040105/NYM005-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040105/NYM005-b )

Electronic Fuel Injection's the Key

The new high-torque diesel engine is quiet and gets impressive fuel
mileage, also achieving lower exhaust emissions than previous diesels. The
turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant will feature full electronic fuel
injection, considered technically impossible on a diesel until only a few
years ago. CDI stands for Common-rail Diesel Injection -- a term denoting the
fuel line loop supplying constant, very high fuel pressure (up to 23,000 psi)
to each of the six solenoid injector valves. Relying purely on the heat of
highly compressed intake air to ignite the fuel, diesel engines operate
without spark plugs or other ignition parts.
The leap to electronic fuel injection means that the E320 CDI engine can
be cleaner, quieter and more powerful than conventional mechanically-injected
diesel engines. Diesel powerplants inherently produce 30 percent lower carbon
dioxide emissions and significantly lower carbon monoxide than gasoline
engines, but historically, diesels have produced more oxides of nitrogen and
soot or particulates. However, with precise electronic control of fuel
delivery, hand in hand with an oxidation catalyst, the E320 CDI can pass
current 45-state emissions standards. When low-sulphur diesel fuel becomes
available in the U.S. late 2006, Mercedes-Benz engineers are optimistic that
the CDI diesel can meet emissions standards in all 50 states.

The Global Leader in Diesel Cars

Mercedes-Benz debuted the world's first diesel passenger car -- the
260D -- in 1936, and on a global basis, diesel engines power about 40 percent
of Mercedes cars around the world. In the 1980s, more than 75 percent of the
Mercedes-Benz cars sold in the U.S. market were diesel-powered, but in the
1990s, diesel cars became a smaller and smaller part of the company's product
mix. Mercedes-Benz last offered a diesel car -- the E300 Turbodiesel -- in
1999.

Over 30 Percent Better Fuel Mileage

Diesel engines consistently provide more than 30 percent better fuel
efficiency than comparable gasoline engines, which means that a full-size
luxury sedan such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class can achieve more than 30 miles
per gallon on the highway and cruise about 700 miles before refueling.
The latest generation of electronically-injected CDI engines is likely to
change consumers' dated perceptions about diesel engines. With surprisingly
good performance, low exhaust emissions and great fuel economy, electronic
control of diesel fuel injection even makes it possible to soften the power
pulses and help make the diesel nearly as quiet as a gasoline engine, even
during idle conditions.
CDI diesel technology will help expand the company's already broad product
portfolio in the U.S. market. In addition, Mercedes-Benz' pioneering role in
alternative powertrain development means that its modern diesel engine is
likely to play a key role in the company's future products that could include
hybrids and fuel cells as well as advanced piston engines.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA is responsible for sales and marketing in the U.S. of
all Mercedes-Benz cars and sport utility vehicles as well as the Maybach
super-luxury sedan. Headquartered in Montvale, NJ near New York City, MBUSA
employs approximately 1,500 people in 20 locations across the U.S. The
company sold 213,225 vehicles in 2002 through a nationwide network of over
300 retailers in the U.S., setting an all-time sales record.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz

__________________
'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

2 stupid questions

1. what effect will low surfur diesel do to older cars?

2. if my car is not electronic fuel injection, what is it then? mechanical fuel injection?

__________________
Jennifer
90 350sdl

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

1. Good question. Am wondering that myself.

2. Mechanical.



Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

1. Since the IP is lubricated by engine oil, supposedly nothing from what i've heard. Low sulfur diesel isn't going to arrive until 2007, though.

2. Correct. Mechanical fuel injection it is. No computers, no distributor, just crank that oil-burner up, take out the battery or altenator or whatever, it will still run as long as there's fuel.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Those questions aren't stupid at all.

1. The process to remove sulphur from the fuel has the side effect of reducing fuel lubricity. Some people are concerned about injection pumps and injectors wearing because of this. However, I think the refineries will address this issue with an additive since the last thing they want is to be accused of ruining all the diesel engines in the U.S. In Europe, where they've had low sulphur diesel for years, all the pump diesel actually contains 5% biodiesel, which provides the necessary lubrication. I run a 20% biodiesel mix right now, so don't have any worries.

2. Lil Pete is mechanically injected. Everything about that engine is mechanical once it's started. You could take the battery out of the car and it would keep humming along.

Edit: geeze, I guess I'm a slow typist. I started when there were no replies to Jen's questions.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

There was a recent thread/debate about low sulphur fuels.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I think I saw such an additive for sale at the Love's Truck Stop at
the intersection of I-10 and U.S. 183 in Luling, TX closest major
cities: (59 miles EB from San Antonio, about 142 miles WB from
Houston, and about 44 miles SB from Austin.) I can't remember what it said exactly, but I think it said it was to add fuel lubricity to low sulphur diesel fuel, which is coming to Texas soon, or in some cases, already here. Has anyone else seen this yet? It was a thick, gold/yellow liquid in a sort of large, plastic bottle.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Howes Diesel Fuel Conditioner?

I think certain gas stations already have Low Sulfur Diesel. I know some Arco locations do in California. Speaking of biodiesel, is it safe to use in a 87 300D? Or do I need to replace all the fuel lines first? I'm talking about the biodiesel from the pump by the way, not pure vegetable oil.