| New engine range | Mercedes-Benz CDI |
Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rudolf Diesel with the launch of a new range of four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. Diesel was the man who pioneered the engines that took his name and now Mercedes has developed its new 2,143cc turbodiesel to produce as much as 204bhp and 369lb.ft of torque.
The new engine is up to 25% more powerful than the unit it replaces in Mercedes' range of cars, which will include the C- and E-Class models. It is also more fuel efficient and cleaner.
In top of the range 204bhp form, found in the C 250 CDI, the engine is capable of returning 52.2mpg and 143g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. Go for the 170bhp C 220 CDI and economy rises to 55.3mpg, while emissions drops to 136g/km - in comparison to the outgoing car's 156g/km.
Mercedes claims this takes the four-cylinder turbodiesel models' performance into territory previously the preserve of larger V6- and V8-powered machines. The C 250 CDI will crack 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds. Expect to see the new turbodiesel model on sale in the next few months
Mercedes also says the turbodiesel engine is only the start of a new project. By combining the engine with other fuel-saving measures, such as hybrid technology and stop-start systems, the German firm believes there are significant reductions in fuel consumption yet to be made.
Alisdair Suttie - 11 Apr 2008