German Car Forum

Autobild sampled the new E300 Bluetec and became the first German magazine to do so.

It's the same engine as the 3.0 V6 CDI found in the regular E320 CDI, except this motor has been modified with small spray nozzles and injectors and a lower compression - all of which for some reasons lowers the emissions, but at the cost of some horsepower.

Basically, they were very pleased with the car. Although slightly slower than an E320 CDI, you don't really notice or feel it (see scans for 0-100 km/h times etc.) they claimed. Fuel consumption was slightly higher than the E320 CDI and for a good reason. The E300 Bluetec tested is an American-spec version which has lower gear ratios biased towards acceleration. The European version will receive different gear ratios that are biased towards fuel economy.

One of the disadvantages to this engine is that it can't be sold in some Eastern European markets where they have high sulphur content diesel fuel. The engine is capable of running with poor quality / high sulphur for at least "two tank stops", but after this will require cleaning. An expensive process as can be imagined.

Overall, they were very impressed with the performance and the emissions. The E300 Bluetec is currently the cleanest diesel on the market.



The Scans

It's interesting to see that the new Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec has higher test values in regards to the CO2 emission and fuel consumption than the regular and slightly more powerful Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI.
Which is strange as Bluetec is all about reduction of emission and fuel consumption in my point of view.
Maybe they accidently switched the numbers in Autobild?

Thanks for the scans!
Would you also like to scan the short test about Maybach 62 S, Bentley Arnage RL and Rolls Royce Phantom? The article would perfectly fit to this thread: http://www.germancarforum.com/pit-gen...y-maybach.html

This E300 Bluetec according to Autobild was an American-spec model with gear ratios tuned more for acceleration rather than fuel economy, hence the higher consumption and more emissions than a Euro E320 CDI.

I'll do that tomorrow.

Ok, yesterday I came up behind a Mercedes E320 Turbo Diesel while it was running. I didn`t want to make myself noticed by the driver so as I got closer,
I slowed down. I asked myself.. is this car really running?? (I walked even slower as I approached the front)

lOl, I sware I didn`t here Diesel-Clatter from this machine, just a gentle hum
just like a V6 gasoline engine. I said to myself, my God.. Mercedes sure have mastered this technology!! Idle time is worst noise a Diesel engine can ever make.

US-spec Mercedes' diesels get extra engine compartment sound absorbing materials. It also helps that the new 3.0 V6 CDI is a very refined and quiet engine.