.

.

Web autointell.com

March 02, 2005
.
This Week:

• Dodge Reveals Global Concept Car

• New Hummer H3 Arrives In Europe

• World premiere of Toyota AYGO at the Geneva Motor Show 2005

• BMW Kicks Off Series Production At The Leipzig Plant

• Honda Unveiled Civic Concept at The Geneva Auto Salon

• Maybach Super-Luxury Brand Launches 57 S Model

• Land Rover's Record February Sales Driven By The All-New LR3

• Strong Demand for Porsche Sports Cars in North America

• Nissan Plans Fourfold CVT Increase Over Three Years

• Head of Mercedes Car Group Dr Eckhard Cordes Announces That the Diesel Particulate Filter is to be Made Standard Equipment

© 1998 - 2005 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.net

.
Head of Mercedes Car Group Dr Eckhard Cordes Announces That the Diesel Particulate Filter is to be Made Standard Equipment

Photo: DC

GENEVA, Switzerland - From summer 2005 Mercedes-Benz is to be the world's first automobile manufacturer to equip all its diesel passenger cars with a particulate filter as standard. The diesel initiative initially applies in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. This was announced today by Dr Eckhard Cordes, the Head of the Mercedes Car Group, at the start of the Geneva Motor Show.

"From summer this year we will equip all diesel car models from the A-Class to the forthcoming S-Class with a diesel particulate filter as standard in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland", Cordes said in Geneva. A total of 30 different models are thus involved. The particulate filter system developed by Mercedes-Benz is maintenance-free and operates without additives. The filter is regenerated by appropriate adjustment of various engine functions.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is emphasising its technological leadership in the field of car diesel engines. "Nowadays our diesels are as powerful and sporty as the very latest petrol units. At the same time they offer more torque and are particularly economical, environmentally friendly and smooth", Cordes stated, referring to diesel technology as a core area of competence of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Cordes: "At present around 56 percent of all Mercedes passenger cars in Western Europe are ordered with a diesel engine - that is a new record in the history of our brand."

The world's first car diesel engine entered series production at Mercedes-Benz exactly 70 years ago. To mark this anniversary, the Stuttgart manufacturer is presenting seven models from all its vehicle categories in Geneva, providing an interesting insight into current and future diesel technology and showing the versatility of the modern compression-ignition engine. This presentation includes two fascinating sports car studies: an SLK 320 CDI with a 210-kW/286-hp triturbo diesel engine (630 Newton metres) and the Vision SL 400 CDI with a new eight-cylinder engine which is soon to enter series production at Mercedes-Benz. With an output of 231 kW/315 hp and a torque of 730 Newton metres, this future V8 engine is the world's most powerful car diesel unit. Cordes: "This engine shows that the future of the diesel has only just begun."

The new diesel models by Mercedes-Benz also include the CLK 320 CDI Cabriolet, which will be available from the fourth quarter of 2005.

(Mar 1, 2005)