Mercedes engineers worked to enhance the output from their four-cylinder diesel engines in the E 200 CDI and the E 220 CDI. More than 90 components in the CDI engines are new or further developments. While fuel consumption remains at 6.3 l/100km (37.3 mpg US), the output of the E 200 CDI has increased by 10 kW/14 hp to 100 kW/136 hp. Maximum torque has been increased from 270 to 340 Nm.

The new E 220 CDI develops a maximum output of 125 kW/170 hp and maximum torque of 400 Nm, around 14 and 18 percent respectively more than the outgoing model. Fuel consumption remains at 6.3 litres per 100 kilometers.

The new six-cylinder diesel engine in the E 320 CDI (165 kW/ 224 hp) now provides even more torque: 540 Nm up from 510 Nm. The new E 320 will be the platform for the BLUETEC emissions technology in the US. (Earlier post.)

The E 320 BLUETEC will be the world’s cleanest diesel, using 20 to 40 percent less fuel than comparable gasoline-engined vehicles. In Europe, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch BLUETEC in a passenger car model by 2008.

For the gasoline engines, Mercedes focused on enhancing the output of the four- and eight-cylinder variants. The four-cylinder engine in the E 200 KOMPRESSOR delivers 12.5% more output than before: 135 kW/184 hp. At the same time, maximum torque has been increased to 250 Nm.

From mid-2006, the E-Class engine range will be headed by the newly developed 5.5-liter eight-cylinder engine from the S-Class with an output of 285 kW/388 hp.

Compared with the previous V8, the new engine delivers 26% more output and 15% more torque.