E320 Cdi
 

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

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?

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

1. Good question. Am wondering that myself.

2. Mechanical.



Scott

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.

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. :o

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

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

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.