With the E 320 BLUETEC, Mercedes-Benz is
launching a new era in diesel technology the USA
Photo: DaimlerChrysler
Spiralling fuel prices have also
increased the demand for economical, clean cars in the USA.
Mercedes-Benz is launching the new E 320 BLUETEC on October 15,
timed to coincide with the introduction of low-sulphur diesel
fuel in the USA. This model is also one of the most economical
vehicles in its class and is regarded by experts as the pioneer
of a new diesel era.
“BLUETEC power is about to
win many friends in North America as soon as US
customers get behind the wheel of a car like the E 320
BLUETEC”, says Dr Thomas Weber. “Our 208 hp three-litre
V6 develops eight-cylinder-like torque of 400 pounds
feet (540 Nm) combined with the sort of economy you get
from a four-cylinder engine in everyday use.” The
combined consumption of just 6.7 l/ 100 km (35 miles per
US gallon) provides a range of 700 miles (around 1200
km) without having to refuel.
Ultra-modern diesel vehicles
provide their owners with assured, clean and economical driving
pleasure and can potentially – given a sufficiently large uptake
– make national economies less dependent on oil imports. An EPA
study dating back to 2004 confirmed the enormous potential
savings inherent in diesel. Margo Oge, Director of the Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, came up with the following
calculation: if just a third of the light-duty vehicles in the
USA were state-of-the-art diesel vehicles, we would be looking
at saving 1.4 million barrels a day, the equivalent quantity of
oil the USA imports from Saudi Arabia every day.
With no end in sight to soaring fuel
prices, experts predict a greater uptake of diesel around the globe. The
recent J.D. Power study “Global Outlook For Diesel” forecasts that the
current global diesel market share of 18 percent is set to reach around
30 percent in 2015: diesel vehicles are expected to account for over 15
percent of new registrations in North America.
Additional BLUETEC models in the USA and
Europe by 2008
Against this background,
Mercedes-Benz intends to systematically broaden its BLUETEC
portfolio. Dr Weber: “In addition to the E 320 BLUETEC we aim to
have another three BLUETEC models in the line-up as early as
2008 that meet the 50-state BIN 5 standard in the R-Class,
ML-Class and the GL Class.” Following its launch in the USA,
Mercedes-Benz intends to successively roll out BLUETEC in other
markets. At present the technology is being adapted to European
market requirements and other Mercedes Benz models.
The company’s European customers should
have the option of BLUETEC in a passenger car by 2008 at the very
latest. Meanwhile the Jeep Grand Cherokee BLUETEC concept is a perfect
example of how other DaimlerChrysler brands can also leverage BLUETEC.
BLUETEC is a modular emission control
system that reduces nitrogen oxides. Diesel engine design means
nitrogen oxide is currently the only emissions constituent that exceeds
the equivalent figure for a petrol unit. Mercedes-Benz has developed
BLUETEC in two versions: in the E-Class an oxidation-type catalytic
converter and particulate filter are combined with an improved,
extremely durable NOx trap system and an additional SCR catalytic
converter. The second BLUETEC version is even more efficient. Here,
AdBlue, a non-toxic aqueous solution, is injected into the exhaust-gas
stream, causing ammonia to be released. In the downstream SCR catalytic
converter the ammonia then converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen
oxides into the harmless natural products of nitrogen and water. The
specific vehicle concept and weight as well as the deNOx requirements
determine which BLUETEC system is used. In principle, BLUETEC is capable
of meeting the world’s most stringent exhaust emission standards.
