E55 KEV

"M-B will offer diesel E320

By Jim Henry
Automotive News / January 13, 2003

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC is expected to announce on Tuesday, Jan. 14, that it will add a diesel-powered E-class sedan next year, the first time it has offered a diesel since the 1999 model year.

The E320 CDI sedan will have a turbocharged, six-cylinder engine that in Europe produces 204 hp and gets 34 mpg. U.S. performance figures may vary. In the United States, the E320 CDI could be a late 2004 or early 2005 model."

Dema

Good news, it should be my next car.

northbenz

Also curious if the diesel variant will have the air suspension and otherwise be available with all the other E options such as panorama roof, etc..?

bagwell

uh...isn't that a bit sarcastic!!??...diesel exhaust is a known carcinogin..and I don't think ANY diesel engine is ranked as ULEV.

jabo

The common rail injection systems available these days are far more effective at reducing emissions and properly fueled do not spew the black cloud that we so often see. Problem is, the sulphur content is US diesel fuel is far higher than that of Europe and contributes a great deal to the pollution generated. A reduction in the level of sulphur in our diesel fuel would make the market for diesels here more attractive.

marc777

I drive an E270 cdi here in England, and the car is terrific. It has all the options you get on a petrol, mine is Avantgarde, full grey leather, pano roof, auto, 6 CD, split rear seats, with sports suspension and 17" wheels from E500.

The most surprising thing about the deisel (this is my first, although my 5th Merecedes) is the acceleration and massive torque. The torque os not far short of the E500 and when the turbo kicks in to give same accelaration times as CLK320 petrol, at 8 secs to 60, and so it really is a practical alternative in a country where fuel is nearly $6 gallon.

I would have had the E320 has it been released - but I couldn't wait!

Fuel consumption? 33 mpg over the past 3500 miles which is pretty good considering the fact that its commuting. On a warm engine a trip will acheive 45mpg +.

mrfu

I am excited to gear that the diesel engines MB are coming to North America. The diesel technology has improved so much that not only that the engine is powerful and torquey than gasoline engines, it is in fact more cleaner than the gasoline engine.

The only thing I am concerned is that there are not that many gas stations that carry diesel fuel anymore, at least where I live. It would be scarry if the gas tank is almost empty and you can't find a gas station that carries diesel.

My choice would be the 3.2L. But as far as I know, in 2005, there will be new V6 configurations in 2.5L and 3.0L to replace the existing 5 and 6 in-line engine. Too bad, since in-line 6 would be better than V6.

yipikaye

I dont think diesel engine will different with my E320 engine. IT SOUND LIKE A DIESEL!!!!!!!!!!

saintvir

Mine, too! The dealer said that's the way it normally sounds. Not the words I wanted to hear; but, I should have caught it during the test drive.

etenn

I am surprised to hear that about the E320. Some of us had the "ticking" noise (somewhat like a diesel-more like lifters) that were corrected with new motor mounts.

What is the E-320 noise? Did they do this in previous years?

Ed

jim256

Like the "high pitched brake noise", I may just be deaf, but my V6 is very quiet at idle, no ticks or noises, and under hard acceleration it has a solid exhaust rap(favorable, not bad). I've had this engine in my last 3 cars and I think it's very quiet. The '98 intro year had a little more noise at idle, the last 2 have not.

hpilot

I Agree. My 2000 E320 is very loud at idle and on acceleration. There is nothing wrong with the engine - that is the way it is. I just don't understand how people can say it is quiet

Brian WH

My new car due in March is the E320 CDI Avantgarde.
It is faster than the E320 Petrol: -

E320 CDI official figures from MB are:-
204hp
500 Nm/rpm Torque ------Yes 500
151mph max
0-62.5 = 7.7 sec
40.9 average mpg.
207 g/km CO2 emission

I can't wait