The E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition that is available from March 2012 is simply one of the most economical cars in its segment. Thanks to a bundle of efficiency-boosting measures, including an Aerodynamics package, electric power steering (EPS), a longer final-drive ratio and size 205/55 R 16 tyres with low rolling resistance, the model emits just 119 g CO2/km – that is ten grams or nearly eight percent less than before and equates to 4.5 litres of diesel per 100 km. The E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition has an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol unit is the brand new entry-level engine for the C-Class. With fuel consumption of 5.8 l/100 km and a CO2 figure of 136 g/km, the improvement compared to the previous C 180 when similarly equipped is as much as 21 g/km, or just under 1 l/100 km. This makes the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY one of the very first petrol models to be ranked in energy efficiency class B. The 115 kW (156 hp) engine is very light when compared to its competitors and delivers impressive agility from standstill – peak torque of 250 Nm is on tap from just 1250 rpm all the way up to 4000 rpm.
Consumption per hp halved: efficiency has doubled in twelve years
The tremendous efficiency potential held by petrol engines is illustrated by a look back over the entry-level petrol models for the C-Class and its immediate predecessor, the 190 (W201 model series). This was launched in 1982 with an output of 66 kW (90 hp) and consumption of 8.5 litres/100 km based on the Euromix formula used at that time. When the W203 model series debuted in 2000, the output of the entry-level C 180 climbed to 95 kW (129 hp), while fuel consumption measured according to the new NEDC standard was 9.4 litres/100 km. Twelve years later, the entry-level C-Class from the W204 model series generates a powerful 115 kW (156 hp), but burns just 5.8 litres of fuel per 100 km. This means that output has increased by 21 percent while fuel consumption has been lowered by 37 percent since 2000. Or to put it another way – instead of 0.0729 litres of fuel per hp, today’s C-Class consumes just 0.0372 litres per hp, making it almost twice as efficient as its predecessor from 2000.
BlueDIRECT technology from the luxury segment becomes widely available
The technology of the Mercedes-Benz combustion system, which was first introduced in 2010 on the new V6 and V8 engines, has now made its four-cylinder debut with the launch of the new engine. At its core is third-generation spray-guided, homogenous direct injection with centrally positioned, fast-switching injectors, where fuel is injected at a pressure of up to 200 bar. A single-plunger pump with a flow control valve integrated into the pump module serves as the high-pressure pump. This is supplemented by multi-spark ignition, turbocharging and the ECO start/stop function.
Compared to the engine it replaces, internal engine friction has been reduced by 16 percent, while engine weight has been lowered by 18 percent, thereby setting a benchmark amongst comparable four-cylinder units.
Low friction losses and on-demand control of ancillary units both help to further enhance the engine's energy efficiency. Oil is supplied via a two-stage, variable-speed vane pump. An electronically controlled thermostat in the coolant circuit provides for map-controlled regulation of the warm-up phase, with no coolant flowing through the cylinder head when the engine is cold. The water pump is controlled in such a way that the passenger compartment can be heated up as soon as possible.
The key data at a glance:
Credits: Daimler AG
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