☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasts new amg sport package E320 BLUETEC Shares Spotlight with High-Performance E63 AMG

The highly successful E-Class line of full-size sedans and wagons features an impressively broad and versatile range of models for 2008. Spanning from the thrifty, super-clean E320 BLUETEC diesel to the 507-hp E63 AMG, the E-Class offers the perfect car for an equally diverse range of consumer needs. The E320 BLUETEC luxury sedan delivers up to 32 miles per gallon (highway cycle), while at the other end of the product spectrum, the high-performance E63 AMG can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in an eye-popping 4.3 seconds.

New AMG Sport Package Offered

To complement its popular sport package (comprised of lowered sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, a sport rear bumper with dual chrome exhaust pipes, blue-tinted glass and white gauges), the E350 and E550 models are now available with an optional AMG Sport package that includes deeper front and rear aprons with dual exhausts, 18-inch AMG wheels and an AMG steering wheel that's complete with manual shift 'paddles.'

PRE-SAFE Gives the E-Class Fast Reflexes

Among its industry-leading safety features, the E-Class line is now offered with PRE-SAFE as standard – the world's first system that can sense and take protective measures before a crash. The innovative PRE-SAFE system first tensions the seatbelts if the car senses an impending collision.

PRE-SAFE uses resettable electric tensioners in addition to the existing pyrotechnic belt tensioners. What's more, if the front passenger seat is overly reclined or forward, PRE-SAFE moves it to a more favorable crash position. If the seat cushion angle of the front passenger seat is too shallow, it is also re-adjusted to help prevent submarining. Finally, if the vehicle skids (often a precursor to rollover), the system can automatically close the sunroof and side windows. If a crash is averted, the electric belt tensioners automatically relax and are ready to deploy again.

If necessary, PRE-SAFE reacts to fishtailing (or oversteer) as well as 'plowing' (or understeer) by using existing sensors for ESP stability control to measure steering angle, vehicle yaw and lateral acceleration. Emergency braking can also trigger PRE-SAFE, which monitors sensors for the Brake Assist system as well.

Four Versatile Engines For The E-Class

The E350 uses the latest four-valve-per-cylinder V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, and the E550 model is powered by a 32-valve 5.5-liter V8 delivering 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. The high-performance E63 AMG is powered by the first engine developed entirely by AMG – a 6.3-liter V8 that produces 507 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. One of the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8s ever, the new engine boasts a wealth of exciting features derived from AMG's highly successful racing efforts.

The cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders. Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy, the new 6.3-liter features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket tappets (rather than rocker arms) and a variable intake manifold.

The E63 AMG can be ordered with the performance package option that allows a 186-mph top speed instead of the usual 155-mph speed limiter. Other features in the package include AMG modified Airmatic sport suspension, 19-inch 2-piece alloy wheels, larger front discs (15.4- inch diameter), a limited-slip differential and a leather and alcantaner-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel.

BLUETEC – A Blueprint For The World's Cleanest Diesels

Combining several technologies to minimize diesel exhaust emissions, The E320 BLUETEC starts with a purpose-built 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that includes four valves per cylinder, centrally located piezo-electric injectors, third-generation CDI direct injection, a turbocharger with variable nozzle turbine and exhaust gas recirculation.

Building on this foundation of advanced engine design, the E320 BLUETEC incorporates four after-treatment units in the exhaust stream – an oxidizing catalytic converter, a particulate filter, a SCR catalytic converter and a 'denox' storage converter that absorbs nitrogen oxides temporarily. During brief regeneration pulses of a richer fuel-air mixture, nitrogen oxides are released, reacting with other exhaust gas to form harmless nitrogen. These regeneration pulses also raise temperatures in the particulate filter, which burns off the accumulated deposits. The result – BLUETEC can make a diesel as clean as a modern gasoline engine.

BLUETEC depends on the use of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel (less than 15 parts per million) that became available in the U.S. just last year. Sulfur is a natural element in most mineral oils that increases particulate emissions and has a corrosive effect on engine parts as well. The availability of very low-sulfur fuel enables the use of reliable particulate filters and efficient nitrogen-oxide after-treatment.

by Mercedes-Benz

by Mercedes-Benz

MERCEDES-BENZ E320 BLUETEC DECLARED '2007 WORLD GREEN CAR' International Award Recognizes BLUETEC Clean Diesel System at New York International Auto Show

The Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC was named the '2007 World Green Car' today at a breakfast awards ceremony during the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC, distinguished as the world's cleanest diesel technology, is able to meet the world's most stringent emissions regulations. The BLUETEC concept utilizes state-of-the-art diesel technology featuring common-rail direct injection. Fuel consumption in these diesel vehicles is 20 to 40 percent lower than in cars equipped with a comparable gasoline engine, and torque, the key indicator of engine power, is 30 to 50 percent higher.

BLUETEC- A Modular Technology

BLUETEC is a modular concept that utilizes several coordinated technical measures to minimize emissions within the engine and also provide for effective exhaust gas treatment downstream. The process involves consistently reducing all relevant emission components to a minimum. The system for passenger cars includes an oxidation catalytic converter and a particulate filter in addition to new techniques for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.

BLUETEC technology is especially important for lowering nitrogen oxide emissions, which is the last type of exhaust gas that's higher in diesel vehicles than gasoline engines. Until recently, the only real remaining disadvantage of diesel engines as compared to gasoline engines was in the area of particulates and nitrogen oxides. However, Mercedes-Benz set the standard for modern diesel drive systems in the fall of 2003, when it introduced the maintenance-free particulate filter in Europe as part of the EU4 emission standards. Despite reducing diesel emissions by 75 percent over the past 15 years, the company is going further.

The E320 BLUETEC achieves significantly better fuel mileage and longer cruising range (up to 700 miles) than a comparable gasoline-powered luxury car, but more important, it does it without the usual tradeoffs of diesel ownership. Additionally, the E320 BLUETEC is an impressive performance car, powered by 3.0-liter V6 with 208 horsepower and 400 lb-FT. of torque accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds.

World Green Car Criteria

To be eligible for the 2007 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new or substantially revised, in production, and for sale, in at least one major market during 2006. Either the vehicle or the green technology could be experimental or a prototype with near-future application, provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of ten or more during 2006.

The World Car of the Year Awards program is initiated by, organized by, and conducted by, automotive journalists from around the globe. A non-profit association guided by a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America administers the awards program.

by Mercedes-Benz

by Mercedes-Benz

MERCEDES IS FIRST TO BRING DIESEL BACK TO CALIFORNIA

E320 BLUETEC Makes Market Debut in Los Angeles at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios

On the runway at this week's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) unveiled a version of its E320 BLUETEC, a diesel sedan that will immediately be available in limited numbers to California customers through a special two-year/24,000-mile lease.

California's stringent emissions requirements have kept new diesel automobiles models off the California market for the better part of a decade. The new E320 BLUETEC – distinguished as '2007 World Green Car' by an international panel of journalists earlier this year – changes all that.

BLUETEC denotes state-of-the-art engine and exhaust technology which produces the cleanest diesels available on the market today. Utilizing this technology, the V6-powered E320 BLUETEC diesel is able to provide the powerful torque of a large V8 engine with the low fuel consumption of a four-cylinder compact.

'In order to be able to provide the power and economy of diesel technology throughout the world, we had to make the diesel version as clean as the gasoline model. With BLUETEC, nitrogen oxides can be reduced to such an extent that our diesel vehicles will satisfy the strictest emission regulations in the world – even in the future. This makes Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer in the world to fully bring all exhaust gas components under control,' said Dr. Leopold Mikulic, head of powertrain development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Beginning October 15, MBUSA will offer its E320 BLUETEC to customers under a two-year/24,000 mile lease program through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The E320 BLUETEC is lease-priced on a par with its gasoline sibling, the E350.

The special limited-mileage lease program is the first step in the company's plans to offer consumers diesel alternatives in all 50 states. MBUSA will offer 50-state diesels across its SUV model lines (M, GL and R-Class) late next year and will continue to add to its alternative powertrain offerings.

According to Tom Cackette, executive director for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), 'The E320 is testimony to demanding nothing but the cleanest vehicles for California. Mercedes-Benz has developed a diesel emission control system that results in a car as clean as comparable gasoline vehicles being sold here. This vehicle has shed the reputation of diesel as a dirty technology. And we hope California has shed its anti-diesel reputation by certifying this vehicle as the first diesel passenger car to meet the most stringent smog emission standards in the world.'

MBUSA, which has sold diesels here in the United States for 40 years, believes diesels are an ideal solution for today's luxury car buyers because they yield a significant increase in fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or interior room. The E320 BLUETEC can go nearly 700 highway miles on a single tank of fuel.

'We're breaking new ground here as we pave the way for the return of the diesel to California,' said Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of MBUSA. 'BLUETEC is the most promising technology for customers who want to get up to 20-40 percent higher fuel efficiency without sacrificing the performance and the driving characteristics they're used to.' According to Lieb, the California market plays a critical role in the comeback of the diesel: 'In addition to being one of the top automotive markets in the world, California has tremendous influence. We know we have quite a few loyal diesel buyers there who have been waiting for the opportunity to get back into a diesel, but we also want to tap into a new group of buyers who are interested in making their dollar go farther without compromising performance or their personal style.'

Beyond their fuel efficiency, from an environmental standpoint, BLUETEC vehicles are the cleanest diesels available in the world today. Since diesels inherently burn less fuel than gasoline vehicles, they also produce significantly lower emissions of carbon dioxide (C02). Also, in BLUETEC vehicles particulate levels are reduced to levels comparable – or better than – that of gasoline-powered vehicles. Similarly, NOX emissions are reduced to meet the most stringent exhaust limits in the world.

The California lease program will function as a bridge as MBUSA prepares to begin phasing in 50-state BLUETEC vehicles nationwide starting in 2008. The first step will be the extension of the special lease program to other states which do not currently allow sales of new diesel automobiles in January 2008. Later in 2008, Mercedes will introduce another BLUETEC system on its M-, R- and GL-Class vehicles. This system utilizes AdBlue injection, a process that adds precisely measured quantities of a urea-based solution into the exhaust stream which enhances long-term emissions performance sufficient to meet the stringent BIN 5 standards.

by Mercedes-Benz

by Mercedes-Benz