170 HP and 295 Ft-Lb’s of torque and this Euro lux super-diesel achieves 41 miles/gallon with amateurs behind the wheel. [xfloat=right]http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_MB_220_CDI.jpg[/xfloat]Popular Mechanics - Jan. 23, 2008 MB 220 CDI - Just another reason why everything should be a consideration for the new super-diesels. -- Ed. PARIS — A standard-issue hybrid might be the weapon of choice for stop-and-go commuting in the United States, but clean diesel is coming soon. And it's hard to beat diesel's efficiency for longer, high-speed hauls—especially in Europe, where some of the limits are well north of even our speediest 75-mph interstates. So we decided to see what a modern clean diesel could do on its home turf, landing here in France and grabbing the keys to a Euro-spec 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. The C220 CDI model, which is not yet available in the U.S., uses a turbocharger and a common-rail, high-pressure fuel injection system to produce a compression ratio of 17.5:1. Its 2.2-liter inline Four pumps out 170 hp, but that lackluster number is countered with an impressive torque figure: 295 lb.-ft., which peaks at a mere 2000 rpm. That's more torque than the top (non-AMG) 3.5-liter V6 we get in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class here. During startup, the Benz gives you a touch of that “knock-knock” diesel noise if you're standing outside the car. But slide inside, and all is quiet. Europeans don't have to deal with annoying legalese agreements on their nav systems like we do. The systems just work the moment you twist the key. And unlike the sometimes dubious traffic updates we get in the States, the system on our Benz could fairly accurately foresee major highway delays. Torque picks up almost immediately from idle. And our CDI's smooth-shifting six-speed manual didn't spend long in each gear, since the engine is happiest at lower rpm. … [rm]http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4246024.html[/rm]
Just when GM is starting to make some headway with theirs caddys they will be destroyed by the euro diesels. They should be doing something about this now, but so far it sounds like they're jsut going to try and ignore it.
Probably cost is the main thing, both diesel and hybrid engines are 1 - 4 grand more expensive, when you combine the 2 of them you've taken an economy car into luxury car price range. The car makers probably don't believe there is a market for fe vehicles at those price points. I would tend to agree with them until gas hits maybe 4 dollars.
Hi Koreberg: ___GM is working on a 2.9L for the Caddy’s and such and a 4.5 for their P/U’s? Why a 4.5 is anyone’s guess??? ___MB has 2 Diesel Hybrids being readied for the US ($50K plus again). One with a small IMA like assist and stop/start and another using 2-Mode, both with their wonderful large displacement (unfortunately) new Blutec diesels. ___BMW has the 1-series with Stop/Start and regen braking to a 12V with their 2.0 turbo-diesel available in Europe right now. ___Ksstathead, Koreberg is right. The price of fuel has to begin to make up for the $5 - 7K + for both the diesel and the hybridization before we will bite. By the time you include the two, you are approaching that of an EV and then what is the point? ___In my mind, Ford, Chrysler, GM, Honda and Toyota -- just give us the **** diesels already for god’s sake! Audi/VW, BMW and even MB are going to have a field day with the super-diesels allowing almost the same FE as a Ford Focus/Chevrolet Aveo w/ a stick all the while having 0 – 60 times in the 6’s and 7’s in a heavy weight lux vehicle! Of course the Europeans are concentrating on the 3.0L V6’s for us while they have a ton of 2.0 and 2.2L turbo-diesels for their home market. Watch VW’s upcoming 2.0L in the Jetta for a taste of things to come. ___If gasoline hits $5 + in the near term, you can bet the European’s will be fitting their lux vehicles with the 2.0 and 2.2L diesels for the US and laugh even further when their heavyweight lux vehicles are running around with Prius like FE and the US lux vehicles achieve half the FE and sit on the lots going nowhere fast ___Good Luck ___Wayne
Cost is probably the main reason. Peugeot has a 307 HDi Hybride concept which they hope to sell by 2010. The price is one of the key points holding it back. koreberg, GM does seem to be doing something, just very slowly. I have read a bit about GM's 2.9 V6 diesel for the European CTS and it doesn't sound too bad. The 4-cylinder diesels like the C220 will destroy it but it sounds competitive with the C320 CDI, A4 3.0 TDI and 330d.
I have heard that GM will not sell the 2.9 here, probably because they don't want to deal with the extra emissions stuff.
Wasn't Detroit yammering on a week ago about how much the American Consumer was going to have to compromise with the brutal 35 MPG mandate ?
