CLS-Class (C219) Reviews: Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI

[Untertürkheim]

The market for the W211 E400 CDI was also very small. I remember seeing an Auto Motor und Sport E-Class Market Share chart which was dominated by the E220 CDI with over 50%. The E55 AMG and E400 CDI made up together only 2% of the total E-Class sales in Europe. That's incredibly small.

Overall the E400 CDI was a decent car but it wasn't that economical and virtually a car that was bought by "prestige-freaks", who wanted the badge and exclusivity of an E400 CDI. There is a guy in Mühldorf I know that has a white W211 E400 CDI Avantgarde. He's in his early 70s and I often see him and his wife taking trips with the car (that town is a small place, you see people you know often). When I had a summer job at Mercedes I would see him at least once a week when he'd bring his car in for a carwash. He would be in the showroom checking out the E-Class and S-Class models mainly and talking to some of the salesmen. One of them then told me that this dude is mainly interested in V8 diesels, which means the E400 CDI, S400 CDI (S420 CDI), G400 CDI and ML400 CDI.

I would have to say it is all a matter of perspective. Considering the CLS is itself a relatively limited production model, and the chassis has already been developed for this engine, it seems only logical to offer it.

Keep in mind that the 420CDI may not seem efficient compared to the smaller diesel engines, but it is still more efficient than any of the gasoline engines in the CLS worldwide, and more efficient than any MB engine sold in the US with the exception of the E320 Bluetec.

I think if marketed properly (which should be easy since this engine has more torque than the AMG 6.2 and uses less fuel than any gasoline engine offered), it would be a huge success in the US, and should still be a preferable offering to the other high performance engines offered elsewhere.

 

[coolraoul]

^^ Emission rules are slowly killing those kind of motors. The V6 cdi will certainly get a two-stage turbo to reach the 300hp mark in the future. Lighter, cleaner, more efficient, as powerful, and often more refined.

Downsizing is the key now, a 4.2l V8 diesel is out of sync those days.

V8 diesels are dead for BMW and Mercedes, only Audi still sticks to giant diesels.
I remember reading somewhere that the 400 and 420cdi were/are slower sellers than the AMGs...

 

[Untertürkheim]

^^ Emission rules are slowly killing those kind of motors. The V6 cdi will certainly get a two-stage turbo to reach the 300hp mark in the future. Lighter, cleaner, more efficient, as powerful, and often more refined.

Downsizing is the key now, a 4.2l V8 diesel is out of sync those days.

V8 diesels are dead for BMW and Mercedes, only Audi still sticks to giant diesels.
I remember reading somewhere that the 400 and 420cdi were/are slower sellers than the AMGs...

The V6 will most probably be updated to produce more power especially since BMW has the 35d engine, but I still would opt for the 420 engine myself were it available in the US. The S320CDI BlueEfficiency and the S420CDI both have the same EU4 rating for emissions, so I do not see how the latter is more affected by emissions restrictions. It would seem that it should be able to meet higher emissions restrictions with some modification.

Comparing the 420CDI to a 250CDI is not very useful when considering fuel economy, in order to see why the 420CDI is great, it should be compared to the gasoline engines, which it clearly outshines while delivering outstanding performance.

 

[bmer]

The V6 will most probably be updated to produce more power especially since BMW has the 35d engine, but I still would opt for the 420 engine myself were it available in the US. The S320CDI BlueEfficiency and the S420CDI both have the same EU4 rating for emissions, so I do not see how the latter is more affected by emissions restrictions. It would seem that it should be able to meet higher emissions restrictions with some modification.

Comparing the 420CDI to a 250CDI is not very useful when considering fuel economy, in order to see why the 420CDI is great, it should be compared to the gasoline engines, which it clearly outshines while delivering outstanding performance.

I don't doubt it's technically possible for them to make a V8 diesel that meets the future emission standards but the question is, is it financially reasonable to direct a lot of resources to the development of an engine that will not be very popular choice among the customers? The answer: probably not. Especially as similar performance can be achieved with V6 engines and advanced turbo-technology. This also cuts a lot of development costs as they can use a single V6-diesel engine as a base for many power-versions (similarly as e.g. 2,1-liter I4 diesel engine --> 200 CDI, 220 CDI & 250 CDI versions or 1,8-liter I4 petrol engine --> 200 CGI & 250 CGI versions)

 

[Untertürkheim]

I don't doubt it's technically possible for them to make a V8 diesel that meets the future emission standards but the question is, is it financially reasonable to direct a lot of resources to the development of an engine that will not be very popular choice among the customers? The answer: probably not. Especially as similar performance can be achieved with V6 engines and advanced turbo-technology. This also cuts a lot of development costs as they can use a single V6-diesel engine as a base for many power-versions (similarly as e.g. 2,1-liter I4 diesel engine --> 200 CDI, 220 CDI & 250 CDI versions or 1,8-liter I4 petrol engine --> 200 CGI & 250 CGI versions)

Keep in mind that the US is by far the largest consumer of the higher powered models, 80% of AMGs being sold in the US. The 420CDI engine was never offered in the US, which has a taste for both large engines, and diesel engines.