New technology powers Bluetec
DOWNTOWN With diesel prices hovering around $5.20 a gallon, the cost of fuel lingering on most minds of late, it seems odd for Mercedes-Benz to come out with a new line of autos born from the work of the late Rudolf Diesel. Not only does Mercedes have to combat the diesel stereotype of being a slower, louder and dirtier technology meant for blue-collar hauling and digging, they must also deal with the ever-increasing fears of an energy crisis with drivers lined up at the pumps, fueling up on only odd days of the month. No longer do SUVs dominate. Consumers are looking for fuel efficiency over power, savings instead of luxury.
It’s a daunting task, at least at first glance. But once a driver steps inside an E320 sedan equipped with Bluetec, Mercedes answer to the hybrid, it all becomes clear. Mercedes- Benz has risen to the challenge with Bluetec, creating the cleanest, highest-performing diesel engine available, environmentally friendly enough to comply with California’s strict emissions standards. A V-6 deisel engine with a catalytic converter that drastically reduces harmful emissions, Bluetec is what many luxury car buyers are looking for.
Bluetec starts off with clean fuel, meaning low-sulfer diesel, pumped into a common rail setup, then injected into an all-aluminum, turbocharged and intercooled 3.2 liter V6. At every stage of compression and combustion, the engine works at full efficiency.
When the spent gases hit the catalytic converter, that’s where the real work begins. A catalytic converter is what collects the harmful pollutants created by combustion and creates chemical reactions that neutralize these gases. Bluetec’s converter has multiple steps that convert most of the exhaust into harmless nitrogen and water, around 80 percent, making all cars equipped with Bluetec eligible for the same federal income tax credits as hybrids, at least until 2010.
Make no mistake, this isn’t your grandpa’s 1979 300 D, a tank of a four-door sedan that acted lethargic when hitting the accelerator. The Bluetec engine has pick-up, and plenty of it. It runs nearly as smooth as a regular V6, with only hints of the rattling or knocking of other diesels. The torque is incredible, pulling drivers back into their seats, which come in peanut-butter leather with lush wood grain accents that make the car both sexy and sophisticated. It’s a comfortable ride, especially if equipped with the satellite radio, superior sound system, DVD/CD player and state-of-the-art navigation.
Bottom line: A Mercedes means quality. Bluetec is made for those who are feeling eco-conscious and are looking to make that change but still crave that luxury and style that hybrids just don’t have yet. A Toyota Prius is a lot different than a Mercedes coup. You are going to pay a little more for a Bluetec than you would a regular ride, but those who can afford a Mercedes will not worry about the price tag, which is good considering the price of diesel doesn’t look like it will fall dramatically anytime soon. It’s solid technology that shows what can happen when states enact stricter standards. Mercedes has a great car, consumers have another option and the environment will be better for it.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 28, 2008. Read the original PDF.