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Mercedes-Benz has added two new model derivates to its heartland E-Class range, the E 200 CGI and E350 CDI, both aided by BlueEfficiency dynamics.
Fleshing out Merc’s W212 range the additional engines subscribe to a design ethic of high efficiency forced-induction.
Turbocharging right through
Buyers who prefer their direct injection feeding petrol into the combustion cycle will hardly be blown away by the E 200 CGI BlueEfficiency 1.8l in-line four’s power figures (135kW/270Nm), yet the frugality is hugely impressive.
E 200 CGI, at 1.6t, is not exactly dainty. Despite this, Merc claims the new entry level petrol E-Class will return 7.5l/100km in the combined cycle. Impressive.
Dynamic performance is swift instead of powerful, with 0-100km/h up in 8 seconds from standstill and 230km/h available at the long end of the five-speed automatic transmission’s ability.
Turbodiesels too
Buyers who prefer compression ignition power for their E-Class motoring will be heartened by the availability (finally) of the E 350 CDI, which carries over Merc’s excellent 3l turbodiesel V6 from the previous W211 range.
Although its forced-induction regime is spooled to boost by a single turbocharger (instead of a dual-unit set-up), the 3l V6 is able to generate 170kW at 3 800Nm and 540Nm of peak rotational force at 1 600r/min.
Impressive numbers indeed and enough to run the 1.8t E 350 CDI past 100km/h from standstill in 6.8 seconds.
Driving the rear wheels via Merc’s fabled 7G Tronic automatic transmission consumption is claimed to be an entirely reasonable 6.8l/100km. Acceleration from 60-120km/h (the only performance figure worth any applicability in the real world) in third gear is an eye widening 6.1 seconds, whilst top speed is limited to 250km/h.
The E250 CDI, a 2 000bar Piezzo injected 2.1l twin turbo, will only go on sale very early next year.
Boasting output numbers of 150kW and 480Nm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.8 seconds and returning under 6l/100km it could well be the pick of the E-Class range.
As neat as the new engine options are, adding frugal (yet by no means slow) alternatives to the E-Class range of naturally aspirated engines, the BlueEfficiency moniker - and associated design embellishments - is the real story.
With nearly 10% of a car's drag due to the grille and engine bay airflow regime, Mercedes-Benz has introduced active louvres on the new E-Class BlueEfficiency models.
Maybach glass?
Most of the changes ushered in by the BlueEfficiency package are aerodynamic in nature.
Sealed headlight units, revised underbody airflow management and an electropneumatically controlled fan shutter (shutting the grille’s louvers when the engine does not require optimal cooling) all do their bit in lowering drag coefficient to 0.25.
A thinner – yet stronger – windscreen (borrowing laminate technology from the Maybach range) and reduction of sound deadening material in areas where acoustic intrusion in not an issue (the boot and spare wheel stowage space) help trim mass.
Mechanically the BlueEfficiency package also features the usual host of electrically assisted pump and flow systems, ensuring power steering and most ancillaries only tax the engine’s efficiency when necessary.
Friction to heat energy generated by actuation of the brakes are recuperated and converted into electrical energy, charging the battery.
The 7G-Tronic transmission also sports a standstill decoupling function, which engages neutral when the car is stuck in traffic or idling at a traffic light, reducing engine load.
BlueEfficiency aerodynamic embellishments nearly impossible to spot with the eye, yet they're there, doing their bit to starve off greedy government emission tax penalties.
Score in principle, not at the pumps?
When all these BlueEfficiency measures are tallied up, they don’t equate to much. The saving measured in fuel consumption is still on the decimal side of the l/100km scale...
In principle though, it’s a departure point – you can’t buy a forced induction E-Class which does not features the suite of BlueEfficeincy technology. Call it one of the better instances of coercive marketing if you wish.
You’ll be grateful too, especially when government’s emission taxes roll around sometime next year…
Pricing:
E200 CGI R471 000
E350 CDI R617 000
E300 R558 000
E350 R634 000
E500 R788 000
Fleshing out Merc’s W212 range the additional engines subscribe to a design ethic of high efficiency forced-induction.
Turbocharging right through
Buyers who prefer their direct injection feeding petrol into the combustion cycle will hardly be blown away by the E 200 CGI BlueEfficiency 1.8l in-line four’s power figures (135kW/270Nm), yet the frugality is hugely impressive.
E 200 CGI, at 1.6t, is not exactly dainty. Despite this, Merc claims the new entry level petrol E-Class will return 7.5l/100km in the combined cycle. Impressive.
Dynamic performance is swift instead of powerful, with 0-100km/h up in 8 seconds from standstill and 230km/h available at the long end of the five-speed automatic transmission’s ability.
Turbodiesels too
Buyers who prefer compression ignition power for their E-Class motoring will be heartened by the availability (finally) of the E 350 CDI, which carries over Merc’s excellent 3l turbodiesel V6 from the previous W211 range.
Although its forced-induction regime is spooled to boost by a single turbocharger (instead of a dual-unit set-up), the 3l V6 is able to generate 170kW at 3 800Nm and 540Nm of peak rotational force at 1 600r/min.
Impressive numbers indeed and enough to run the 1.8t E 350 CDI past 100km/h from standstill in 6.8 seconds.
Driving the rear wheels via Merc’s fabled 7G Tronic automatic transmission consumption is claimed to be an entirely reasonable 6.8l/100km. Acceleration from 60-120km/h (the only performance figure worth any applicability in the real world) in third gear is an eye widening 6.1 seconds, whilst top speed is limited to 250km/h.
The E250 CDI, a 2 000bar Piezzo injected 2.1l twin turbo, will only go on sale very early next year.
Boasting output numbers of 150kW and 480Nm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.8 seconds and returning under 6l/100km it could well be the pick of the E-Class range.
As neat as the new engine options are, adding frugal (yet by no means slow) alternatives to the E-Class range of naturally aspirated engines, the BlueEfficiency moniker - and associated design embellishments - is the real story.
With nearly 10% of a car's drag due to the grille and engine bay airflow regime, Mercedes-Benz has introduced active louvres on the new E-Class BlueEfficiency models.
Maybach glass?
Most of the changes ushered in by the BlueEfficiency package are aerodynamic in nature.
Sealed headlight units, revised underbody airflow management and an electropneumatically controlled fan shutter (shutting the grille’s louvers when the engine does not require optimal cooling) all do their bit in lowering drag coefficient to 0.25.
A thinner – yet stronger – windscreen (borrowing laminate technology from the Maybach range) and reduction of sound deadening material in areas where acoustic intrusion in not an issue (the boot and spare wheel stowage space) help trim mass.
Mechanically the BlueEfficiency package also features the usual host of electrically assisted pump and flow systems, ensuring power steering and most ancillaries only tax the engine’s efficiency when necessary.
Friction to heat energy generated by actuation of the brakes are recuperated and converted into electrical energy, charging the battery.
The 7G-Tronic transmission also sports a standstill decoupling function, which engages neutral when the car is stuck in traffic or idling at a traffic light, reducing engine load.
BlueEfficiency aerodynamic embellishments nearly impossible to spot with the eye, yet they're there, doing their bit to starve off greedy government emission tax penalties.
Score in principle, not at the pumps?
When all these BlueEfficiency measures are tallied up, they don’t equate to much. The saving measured in fuel consumption is still on the decimal side of the l/100km scale...
In principle though, it’s a departure point – you can’t buy a forced induction E-Class which does not features the suite of BlueEfficeincy technology. Call it one of the better instances of coercive marketing if you wish.
You’ll be grateful too, especially when government’s emission taxes roll around sometime next year…
Pricing:
E200 CGI R471 000
E350 CDI R617 000
E300 R558 000
E350 R634 000
E500 R788 000
