Mercedes Introduces New E-Class With Up To 23% Reduction in Fuel Consumption; BlueZERO Concept in Detroit

13 January 2009

Mercedes-Benz introduced its new E-Class vehicles in Detroit on the eve of the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The range of engines available for the new E-Class comprises four-, six- and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 100 kW/136 hp to 386 kW/525 hp. The new E-Class models offer reductions in fuel consumption of up to 23% compared to their predecessors

The four-cylinder engines are newly developed direct-injection units, which develop a higher output and torque than the comparable V6-engines of the preceding series despite a smaller displacement. The strategy is to replace to replace large, naturally aspirated engines with turbocharged units.

Diesels. The E-Class line-up offers three completely newly developed four-cylinder engines. The engines feature latest-generation common-rail direct injection, fast piezo-electric injectors, improved exhaust gas recirculation and an innovative twin turbocharger, making for fast responsiveness and good performance characteristics.

The E 250 CDI with 150 kW/204 hp and 500 Nm develops a 25% higher torque than the previous V6 diesel engine, but uses around 23% less fuel at only 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers (combined NEDC consumption). The new four-cylinder diesel engine also powers the E 220 CDI with 125 kW/170 hp and the E 200 CDI with 100 kW/136 hp, also with a fuel consumption of only 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

The top model in the new E-Class diesel range is the six-cylinder E 350 CDI with an output of 170 kW/231 hp, which uses 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers less fuel than the previous E 320 CDI. From autumn 2009 the V6 diesel will also be available as a BlueTEC model. The E 350 BlueTEC develops 155 kW/211 hp and meets the EU6 exhaust emission standards planned for 2014. All the other engine variants in the new E-Class meet the EU5 limits.

Gasoline engines. The E 200 CGI and E 250 CGI are equipped with the newly developed four-cylinder direct-injection engine with a displacement of 1.8 liters, turbocharging and variable intake and exhaust camshafts. The E 200 CGI (135 kW/184 hp) is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the ECO start/stop function as standard, and consumes only 6.8 liters of premium gasoline per 100 kilometers (35 mpg US) (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). This equates to 159 grams of CO₂ per kilometre.

In the E 250 CGI(150 kW/204 hp), which has a five-speed automatic transmission as standard, maximum torque is now 310 Nm, which represents an increase of more than 26% over the previous V6-engine. At the same time the NEDC fuel consumption is reduced by more than 20% to 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers, equating to 175 grams of CO₂ per kilometre (provisional figures).

As before, the E 350 CGI with direct gasoline injection (215 kW/292 hp) and the top-of-the-line E 500 (285 kW/388 hp) are included in the range of engine variants in the new E-Class. Detailed improvements have reduced the fuel consumption of these V6/V8 models by up to 0.6 liters per 100 kilometers. As a product from Mercedes-AMG, the new high-performance E 63 AMG develops 386 kW/525 hp.

The V6 and V8-models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission and steering wheel selector lever as standard.

The new E-Class will comes to the US market with V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines, as well as the 50-state Tier2 Bin 5 (50-state) 3.0-liter BlueTEC diesel (launching in CY 2010).

BlueEFFICIENCY. Apart from the engines, the BlueEFFICIENCY package for the E-Class contributes to the fuel savings. Engineers from every development department have worked together to optimize assemblies and components, to save fuel by means of reduced weight, a new form, improved functioning or efficient energy management.

Extensive wind tunnel work resulted in a drag coefficient of only 0.25, making the new E-Class the world’s most aerodynamically efficient luxury saloon. It betters the Cd figure of the preceding model by another four percent, which represents a fuel saving of around 0.25 liters per 100 kilometers when driving at a highway speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).

The aerodynamics are improved by variable fan louvres, which control the airflow to the engine compartment in line with requirements.

Other BlueEFFICIENCY measures include newly developed tires with up to 17% lower rolling resistance, energy-saving control of the generator, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor and power steering, and the ECO start/stop function.

Displays in the speedometer inform the driver how much fuel is being consumed (per 100 kilometers), and when he or she should shift to the next higher gear in the interests of an economical and environmentally conscious style of driving.

BlueZERO. Mercedes-Benz also presented its production-ready BlueZERO concept. (Earlier post.) Based on a single vehicle architecture, the modular concept allows three models with different drive configurations: the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a range of up to 200 km (124 miles); the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of more than 400 km (249 miles); and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with electric drive and internal combustion engine as range extender. The BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS has an overall range of up to 600 km (373 miles) and can cover a distance of up to 100 km (62 miles) using electric drive alone.

The three BlueZERO variants were realized on the basis of the unique sandwich floor architecture, which Mercedes-Benz introduced ten years ago for the A-Class and later also the B-Class, also with a view to the integration of alternative drivelines. The benefit of the redeveloped construction is that the major drive components are built into the vehicle floor, which is lowers the center of gravity, saves space and provides them with the best possible protection.