Wolfgang

Mercedes-Benz Leads the Way for a Diesel Future

- Record Attempt to Demonstrate Reliability and Efficiency in 100,000 Mile Drive -

LAREDO, Texas, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz, inventor of the
world's first diesel car, is setting out to establish a new endurance record
for diesel passenger cars. To help showcase the latest in advanced clean
diesel technology, three Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI (Common-Rail Direct Injection)
diesel sedans will each complete a 30-day, around-the-clock 100,000 mile
endurance drive on Sunday, May 1.
Since commencement began on April 1, 2005, the landmark diesel endurance
record attempt is being conducted at the DaimlerChrysler Proving Grounds near
Laredo, TX and measured in accordance with FIA (Federation Internationale de
L'Automobile) regulations. The drive is designed to emphasize the reliability
and efficiency of the diesel engine in real world driving conditions, as
participating drivers will maintain highway speed during the duration of the
test. The test also provides an extreme test bed for advanced particulate
filter technology, which helps diesel engines comply with stringent emissions
laws worldwide.
This historic event follows last year's successful return of the Mercedes-
Benz diesel engine to the luxury brand's lineup. Introduced in May 2004, the
E320 CDI exceeded sales expectations by more than 38 percent with 4,158 units
sold. Boasting strong acceleration, excellent fuel economy and low noise
levels, the latest generation of electronically-injected CDI engines is
helping to changed U.S. consumers' dated perceptions about diesel powertrains.
The E320 CDI achieves 27/37 mpg for city and highway driving, respectively,
translating to up to 30 percent better fuel economy than comparable gasoline
engines. A showcase for the latest in diesel engine technology, the 3.2-liter
diesel engine can propel the E320 CDI from 0 to 60 in just 6.8 seconds and
cruise up to *** 780 miles!!! *** on a single tank of fuel.

Source: MBUSA

midget fidger

that'll be like 385 tanks of fuel so around 8,108 gallons of diesel. wow thats a lot! i wonder what they're gonna do about oil...haha those engines might be useless after 100k without a change

Wolfgang

Yes, a lot of diesel. Here's the article:


World Record for Mercedes E 320 CDI

100,000 miles at an average speed of 224.823 km/h

Record distance equal to four times around the world

Extreme endurance test for the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI, 30 days of relentless, round-the-clock punishment

Proof of the outstanding performance of the diesel particulate filter

World-record run under constant FIA* supervision

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...id/2050502.003

Wolfgang

E320 CDI world record in Laredo Texas

Double Eagle

This remarkable accomplishment appears to be getting more press abroad than here in the US.

Here is a great article from the UK.


FORMATION FLYING: The trio of Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI diesel sedans on their way to world endurance records.

Merc diesels claim world endurance records

May 3, 2005

Laredo, Texas – Three Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI sedans have just shown a still-sceptical American public that diesel-powered cars are not only reliable and economical to run but also fast by each covering 100 000 miles (160 934km) in 30 days.

The cars' average speed for the four-times-around-the-world run, monitored by the FIA, on a high-speed test track near Laredo in Texas was 224.8km/h but no major faults occurred and they underwent only normal maintenance according to their service indication computers.

The 165kW, V6 diesels will replace all Mercedes five and six-cylinder in-line diesel engines by the middle of 2005
The 165kW, V6 diesels will replace all Mercedes five and six-cylinder in-line diesel engines by the middle of 2005
.

Among those who gained new respect for diesel engines was Brendan Gaughan, a driver in the American Nascar series: "For a diesel to manage a distance of four times round the world at such a high average speed is fantastic.

"What impressed me, in addition to this sporting achievement, was its great smoothness and comfort - both were on a par with a V8 gas engine."

The vehicles were driven by three teams of six drivers, including former DTM contestant and current FIA Formula 1 safety-car driver Bernd Mayländer, each person driving for about two hours and 10 minutes between fuel stops.

Each driver did 20 000 laps and the cars stopped 966 times in temporary pits alongside the track for refuelling and visual checks – each stop taking about two minutes.

Servicing, including the replacement of operating fluids and wear parts, was performed using the customary service interval indicator in the ****pit
'What impressed me, in addition to this sporting achievement, was its great smoothness and comfort' - Nascar driver Brendan Gaughan
. Each vehicle required 10 service stops when the 26-strong team of mechanics changed oil, air and diesel filters.

Project manager Jochen Haab said: "Our vehicles ran like clockwork. Our mechanics likewise completed the routine servicing and maintenance in a record-breaking time, contributing in no small part to this magnificent achievement."

In addition to the vast distance and dramatic variations in climatic conditions, Mercedes said, the vehicles' suspension, chassis and electronics were subjected to particularly severe and relentless punishment from the vibrations generated by the uneven road surface.


The world-record run took place under the supervision of the FIA, which sets strict rules for tests of this kind. The participating vehicles were selected at random, sealed and shipped to the US. Before, during and after the run, the test vehicles were monitored continuously by the FIA until the world record was recognised.

No major faults occurred during the run and FIA representatives had access to all areas.

Wolfgang

Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI: World record holder and fuel miser

Stuttgart/Tallahassee, May 20, 2005

Having established their much-publicised diesel world records, the three standard Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI models have continued to make headlines. Following their 30-day, non-stop trial on a five-mile oval circuit in Laredo, Texas, the saloons achieved a new record during a fuel consumption test drive to Tallahassee, Florida, which was certificated by the USAC**. Without stopping to refuel each of the unmodified CDI models covered a distance of 1039 miles (1672 km), which corresponds to a fuel consumption of 4.75 litres per 100 kilometres. That's 49.9 MPG!!!

TPAbnz

Probably cruise set on highway at 45 mph, higher (more than 40) cetane fuel, and no A/C. Super fuel economy nonetheless.

I know these were US spec cars but note the European license frame underneath the Texas temp tag.

ed-E300TD

- How does a car with a 3.2L engine set "22 international records for diesel-powered passenger cars with displacement of 2500 to 3000 cc's"?


- Does the Euro version of the pictured E320CDI come with a different engine than the US version?

Wolfgang

These E320 CDIs have the new V6 turbodiesel with 3.0 liter displacement, the OM642 DE30 LA. They also had particle filters fitted as standard like all MB passenger diesels in Germany since about October 2003.

ed-E300TD

So these were Euro spec diesels, with a 3.0L engine, but wearing the US model designation of the 3.2L in-line six that was sold in the US that MY?

Ed

Wolfgang

Yes, that model with the 3.0 liter OM642 DE30 LA is badged E320 CDI in Europe and will be badged E320 Bluetec here starting October 15, 2006 when the new very low sulfur diesel becomes available.

csumt76

Interesting.... wonder if they had extra tires already mounted on wheels.

I'm sure all the other Eclass owners in the world wish they got that kind of life out of the brake pads.. hahahahha 100,000 miles on pads and rotors.

jimbo1mcm

Did they bring their own ULSD fuel with them?

Wolfgang

Yes they did. Although in the press release it doesn't say so explicitly. But it does mention "clean diesel".




Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI: World record holder and fuel miser

Stuttgart/Tallahassee, May 20, 2005

Having established their much-publicised diesel world records, the three standard Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI models have continued to make headlines. Following their 30-day, non-stop trial on a five-mile oval circuit in Laredo, Texas, the saloons achieved a new record during a fuel consumption test drive to Tallahassee, Florida, which was certificated by the USAC**. Without stopping to refuel each of the unmodified CDI models covered a distance of 1039 miles (1672 km), which corresponds to a fuel consumption of 4.75 litres per 100 kilometres.

Apart from the minimal fuel consumption on the drive to Tallahassee, it was especially the exhaust system with its maintenance-free particulate filter that proved its worth during the world record breaking 30-day run. As already demonstrated in numerous laboratory tests and practical trials, Mercedes-Benz has once again shown that the series production diesel particulate filter operates perfectly over high mileages in day-to-day motoring.

Under the supervision of the USAC**, which had already continuously monitored the world record breaking run on behalf of the FIA*, the unmodified vehicles drove from Laredo on the Mexican border to Houston, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Tallahassee. At the start of this tour through the five US states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, USAC** employees sealed the full 80-litre standard fuel tanks of the three vehicles. In addition the experienced test monitors calibrated the speedometers and supervised the 2-day economy drive along the speed-controlled American highways in accompanying vehicles. The result was that on just one full tank, the three E 320 CDI models covered a distance of 1039 miles corresponding to a range of 1672 kilometres. The average fuel consumption of all three vehicles was under 4.8 litres of diesel per hundred kilometres, the best figure being 4.75 l/100 km. However, the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI also puts on a convincing performance during day-to-day driving in the very varied conditions of central Europe – here the NEDC combined consumption is an extremely modest 7.3 litres of diesel fuel per hundred kilometres.

Outstanding world records

On April 1, 2005 Mercedes-Benz lined up three cars for a world record breaking attempt on the high-speed circuit in Laredo, Texas. All of them completed 100,000 miles without problems, providing triple proof of the reliability of the E-Class. Each of the record-breakers covered 20,000 laps, testing the powertrain, suspension, electronic components and body structure to the utmost. In addition to 22 international records in their class, the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI models established world records by covering 50,000 miles (80,467 kilometres) at 225.456 km/h, 100,000 kilometres at 225.903 km/h and 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometres) at 224.823 km/h.*

Full range of diesel models with a particulate filter

Modern diesel engines with a diesel particulate filter and an EU-4 exhaust emissions rating are both economical and environment-friendly, and are outstandingly suitable for all vehicle classes, as a look at the current range of diesel models by Mercedes-Benz will confirm. The range begins with the 60 kW/82 hp A 160 CDI and extends right up to the new E 420 CDI with 231 kW/314 hp. From summer 2005, 40 Mercedes-Benz CDI models in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland will be equipped with this technology as standard. A particulate filter will be available as optional equipment for up to 35 diesel models in all the other diesel markets. This means that Mercedes-Benz offers more vehicles with a diesel particulate filter than any other manufacturer. In autumn 2003 Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer worldwide to offer a diesel particulate filter in combination with the EU 4 exhaust emission standard.

A promising future in the USA

The savings resulting from a more widespread introduction of diesel engines in the USA would be gigantic. An increase in the market share held by diesel-powered cars and light commercial vehicles - from the current one percent to 50 percent as in western Europe – would reduce the annual level of American oil imports by approx. 133 billion litres! Diesel models by Mercedes-Benz are increasingly gaining the attention of American buyers. As a clear indication of growing interest, the annual sales figure of 3000 vehicles envisaged for 2004 was already reached after five months. The most convincing attributes for these customers are the sporty and agile performance, the excellent fuel economy and the high level of comfort. The recent record-breaking run will give additional emphasis to the low fuel consumption of diesel models – 49.9 mpg is a phenomenal figure which many American consumers have previously considered to be absolutely impossible in this vehicle class. The diesel engine is set to gain further impetus from recent initiatives by the Bush administration. In view of dramatically increasing fuel prices, the American President has announced a programme to encourage economical, low-emission vehicles. In the coming years "Clean Diesel" models like the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI and hybrid-drive vehicles are to be supported with a tax incentive of 2.5 billion dollars.


*subject to FIA recognition
**United States Auto Club

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