Autocar First Drive - Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEfficiency

[Merc1]

The greenest C-class yet. The C250 CDI BlueEfficiency, to give it its slightly convoluted full name, which uses a brand-new twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder common-rail diesel engine.

Don’t believe the badge on the boot: the C250 does not run a 2.5-litre engine. Rather the ‘250’ nomenclature indicates that the engine sitting up front is the most powerful version of Merc’s four-cylinder, twin-turbocharged 2143cc common rail diesel engine. The new powerplant delivers 201bhp at 4200rpm, along with a prodigious 369lb ft from just 1600rpm.


Full Review: Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEfficiency - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk


M

 

[bum-man]

" Impressive enough, although we saw an indicated 70.6mpg showing on the trip computer after a motorway run."

 

[warot]

" Impressive enough, although we saw an indicated 70.6mpg showing on the trip computer after a motorway run."

That's not that hard to do, if you are on a highway and just reset the counter. I can get mine to say 45 ish mpg, which obviously isn't happening.

However, when they mention that it can get 54.3 mpg combined (according to MB), now that's impressive. I wished these things would get to the States already.

OT: Has the price of diesel followed the price of gas (aka dropped) in your area anyone? In Greenville, it hasn't last time I checked...

 

[bum-man]

I don't know if it's dropped yet all the diesel stations are out of my way. I'll check the kerosene prices since the prices are similar to diesel around here. Regular finnally dipped under $3.00 here.

 

[warot]

I don't know if it's dropped yet all the diesel stations are out of my way. I'll check the kerosene prices since the prices are similar to diesel around here. Regular finnally dipped under $3.00 here.

Isn't it great? Last Sunday, there were a few places offereing unleaded for 2$2.75 per gal. If it hovers around there, but diesel is still at over 4 bucks a gallon, these cars will be harder to sell. However, if they follow the price of gas, and hopefully it stays in the low $3 area, these cars will be gone before they even touch the dealerships. I feel like it's only a matter of time until diesels explode like the way they did in Europe.

 

[bum-man]

Yeah, I do hope diesel succeeds but I think we are going to need some good advertising. So far I've seen squat from both Mercedes and BMW, I can't even recall any VW commercials. I still feel that the only people here in America that are aware of how far diesel has come are the enthusiasts. Now is a good time for BMW to Blair all over TV how fast their 3.0L diesel can go while achieving better mileage than a economy car. That would certainly perk peoples interest that had no clue about diesels to begin with.

 

[tennmb]

Diesel is at $3.37 here in Knoxville Tennessee.

 

[Dante_JoseCuervo]

Hmmmm, a benz that I like.... ooooo, manual trany, great fuel economy, lots of torque.... I LOVE IT! Now... MB, bring it to the US!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Interesting. Autoexpress found the refinement impressive, and I wouldn't expect anything less from Benz, whereas Car didn't.

 

[Merc1]

Diesel is at $3.37 here in Knoxville Tennessee.

How is the take on diesels at your dealership?


M

 

[tennmb]

Diesels do pretty well around here considering Mercedes has done nothing to promote diesel ownership in the US. We are completely on our own to educate the consumer. Many people rule out diesel as soon as you mention it. Mainly because their perception is wrong. They think of a 70s smoke monster, clattering down the road.

I am driving a E320 Bluetec and I love it. I'll love it more when diesel prices get where they are supposed to be. We are getting gouged bad over here.

No doubt the 4cyl diesel in the C-class would sell. 40+ mpg, good power and great engineering. In fact, MB, BMW, Audi and VW could have sent hybrids to their grave if each had pushed for cyl diesels. Clean, efficient and cheaper than a hybrid. Come on.

It just shows you that people making millions to be execs are not the in touch.

I heard SMART also pulled their plans for a diesel in the US. RETARDED. They are going to get eaten alive when Toyota and others start hitting that market. They'll have that crappy powertrain and maybe an electric, and they will die. Watch and see.