February 14, 2003

Mercedes-Benz debuts new V8 diesel engine in E400 CDI

Stuttgart, Germany - The Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be available in a version with the world's most powerful V8 passenger car diesel engine. The bi-turbo unit with common rail direct injection, together with other high-tech innovations, is capable of developing 260 horsepower from a displacement of 3996 cubic centimetres. Through specific detailed improvements to the engine, the charge-air cooling and the exhaust system, the Mercedes engineers have managed to achieve an increase in power output of 10 horsepower over the V8 diesel engines in the S, M and G-Class.

The maximum torque of 560 Newtonmetres, available between 1700 and 2600 rpm, is also among the best for a diesel-powered passenger car. As a result, the car is capable of swift acceleration and powerful intermediate bursts of speed: the E 400 CDI reaches 100 km/h from a standing start in just 6.9 seconds, while taking just 6.7 seconds for its acceleration from 60 to 120 km/h.

The EUDC combined consumption figure is only 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, thus allowing the E 400 CDI to cover more than 850 kilometres on one 80-litre tank of fuel.

In Europe, the arrival of the new top-of-the-range CDI model means that there are now five state-of-the-art direct injection diesel engines in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon range. Their output ranges from 90 kW/122 hp in the E 200 CDI to 191 kW/260 hp in the E 400 CDI. As well as a five-speed automatic transmission, the standard equipment of this most powerful of diesel-powered passenger cars includes the electronically controlled air suspension system AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control), the four-zone luxury climate control system THERMOTRONIC, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and speed-sensitive power steering.

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