At the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz has launched two new BlueEfficiency versions of the C and E class. Both cars are powered by Mercedes' 2.2-liter inline-four diesel engine which has been revised for improved efficiency. The crankshaft mass has been reduced by cutting the number of counterweights from eight to four. Improvements to the oil pressure regulation and turbochargers have also cut parasitic losses. Both models also get an automatic start-stop system for the first time with an automatic transmission.
The smaller C220 CDI gets a 170 horsepower version of the diesel with 295 pound-feet of torque. The E250 CDI gets the beefier 204 hp version with 369 lb-ft of torque. The C220 is now rated at 52.3 miles per gallon (U.S.) with CO2 emissions at 119 g/km. The E-class gets up to 48 mpg (U.S.) with a CO2 rating at 129 g/km. Both new variants go on sale in Europe this fall. U.S. availability? Surely, you jest!
