Comments on: Dubspeed Driven Road Test - The Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI: Diesel Power - trumping the hybrid hype http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/ Covering the latest in Automotive News, Events, and Trends Mon, 12 May 2008 10:38:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Greg http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8659 Greg Wed, 27 Sep 2006 03:23:47 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8659 I have a e320 CDI and love it. I get 35 mpg at 80 mph on trips I have a e320 CDI and love it. I get 35 mpg at 80 mph on trips

]]> By: Sindelfingen, GER http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8573 Sindelfingen, GER Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:33:11 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8573 Close, but.....the current process pioneered by DaimlerChrysler AG requires a complex system and heavy add-ons to generate ammonia from urea-based additives, other manufacturers currently have methods that generate and store ammonia within a two-layer catalytic converter to turn nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen. Mercedes needs to get on board... MBZ next-generation diesels are scheduled for a 2008 launch... 2007 CL500 Close, but…..the current process pioneered by DaimlerChrysler AG requires a complex system and heavy add-ons to generate ammonia from urea-based additives, other manufacturers currently have methods that generate and store ammonia within a two-layer catalytic converter to turn nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen. Mercedes needs to get on board… MBZ next-generation diesels are scheduled for a 2008 launch…

2007 CL500

]]> By: John Pauley http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8503 John Pauley Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:51:38 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-8503 I own it. I love it. finest piece of technology ever driven and i've owned mb cars for 25 years. I own it. I love it. finest piece of technology ever driven and i’ve owned mb cars for 25 years.

]]> By: Joe Casale http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-7396 Joe Casale Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:53:29 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-7396 I very much enjoyed your article. I have had two M.B. deisels over the years. I am now in my tenth year with a 1997 S420. It has 173,400 miles on it, and runs superbly. The fuel mileage on the road at 80 mph is close to 25 mpg. I AM WAITING FOR THE BLUE TECH DEISEL MODEL BEFORE I GIVE UP MY S CLASS. Do you have any idea when it will be available? Also in New York you can't refister a deisel unless it already has 7500 miles on it. Will the new low particulate fuel( now available) change that? Thanks. I very much enjoyed your article. I have had two M.B. deisels over the years. I am now in my tenth year with a 1997 S420. It has 173,400 miles on it, and runs superbly. The fuel mileage on the road at 80 mph is close to 25 mpg.

I AM WAITING FOR THE BLUE TECH DEISEL MODEL BEFORE I GIVE UP MY S CLASS.

Do you have any idea when it will be available? Also in New York you can’t refister a deisel unless it already has 7500 miles on it. Will the new low particulate fuel( now available) change that? Thanks.

]]> By: david http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-6614 david Mon, 07 Aug 2006 16:45:25 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-6614 Just traded a 2006 CLS500 for a 2006 E320CDI. (I know, two very different cars. The CLS -- for me, at least -- while beautiful standing outside looking at it, was just not beautiful enough when behind the wheel. Ride too stiff and rough, and noisy, all thanks probably to the Z-rated tires, which I had to replace -- the rear ones -- at just 10,000 miles.) Anyway, the CDI is a revelation. Yes, I feel "smarter" as I drive past the pumps. Yes, it has a much more comfortable ride, and easier to get in and out of, as well. But the eye-opener is the useful power. It is a fact that the 303hp V8 in the CLS and the 202hp in-line six in the CDI produce the identical pound-feet of torque: 380. And I can report that the diesel has comparable pickup and performance to the CLS. Where it really shines is the passing acceleration range, from 50 to 80. I drove a 1990 300CE for 12 years, and loved the low-end torque of the in-line six, the old MB "iron horse". I'm delighted to be reunited with this worthy engine block in the CDI. Just traded a 2006 CLS500 for a 2006 E320CDI. (I know, two very different cars. The CLS — for me, at least — while beautiful standing outside looking at it, was just not beautiful enough when behind the wheel. Ride too stiff and rough, and noisy, all thanks probably to the Z-rated tires, which I had to replace — the rear ones — at just 10,000 miles.)

Anyway, the CDI is a revelation. Yes, I feel “smarter” as I drive past the pumps. Yes, it has a much more comfortable ride, and easier to get in and out of, as well. But the eye-opener is the useful power. It is a fact that the 303hp V8 in the CLS and the 202hp in-line six in the CDI produce the identical pound-feet of torque: 380. And I can report that the diesel has comparable pickup and performance to the CLS. Where it really shines is the passing acceleration range, from 50 to 80.

I drove a 1990 300CE for 12 years, and loved the low-end torque of the in-line six, the old MB “iron horse”. I’m delighted to be reunited with this worthy engine block in the CDI.

]]> By: Donan Iacovone http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-6233 Donan Iacovone Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:37:35 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-6233 I own one diesel, a Volkswagen, that gets 45 mpg. I am planning on buying another diesel. I am happy to see more choices entering the U.S. marketplace. I am awaiting the hybrid diesel to make it to the public. I expect cars achieving 65-80 mpg with such technologies combined. I would venture a guess to say that there will be such a vehicle sold in the U.S. by 2010. I own one diesel, a Volkswagen, that gets 45 mpg. I am planning on buying another diesel. I am happy to see more choices entering the U.S. marketplace. I am awaiting the hybrid diesel to make it to the public. I expect cars achieving 65-80 mpg with such technologies combined. I would venture a guess to say that there will be such a vehicle sold in the U.S. by 2010.

]]> By: Bart http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-4876 Bart Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:06:51 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-4876 The problem in the US is that the emission rates have to be very low for diesel cars. In Europe you see a lot of diesel powered car, they are very competitive with there petrol equivillants for example the BMW 535d. The problem in the US is that the emission rates have to be very low for diesel cars. In Europe you see a lot of diesel powered car, they are very competitive with there petrol equivillants for example the BMW 535d.

]]> By: CCCheung http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-1298 CCCheung Thu, 27 Apr 2006 19:16:34 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-1298 I had a 1999 Jetta TDI, chipped and driven like crazy. 40 mpg city, 50 mpg highway with no problem. Sold it for half price after 4 years. The buyer took it to Portugal or somewhere. The 2006 is a must buy for diesel loving Americans. This is the last sensible Benz without the new for 2007 "triple converter", urea injected Blue Tec with the turbo sitting in the valley of a 100% alloy V6! The design is flawed. To get at the engine you have to remove the turbo. Can you imagine the repair costs for the 3 filters and urea filling in a Mercedes dealership? They are talking also about disabling the engine and/or turbo to obligate new diesel owners to fill up their urea tanks. Big Brother diesel technology. I have a lot of urea for them in the form of human urine. I had a 1999 Jetta TDI, chipped and driven like crazy. 40 mpg city, 50 mpg highway with no problem. Sold it for half price after 4 years. The buyer took it to Portugal or somewhere.

The 2006 is a must buy for diesel loving Americans. This is the last sensible Benz without the new for 2007 “triple converter”, urea injected Blue Tec with the turbo sitting in the valley of a 100% alloy V6! The design is flawed. To get at the engine you have to remove the turbo. Can you imagine the repair costs for the 3 filters and urea filling in a Mercedes dealership? They are talking also about disabling the engine and/or turbo to obligate new diesel owners to fill up their urea tanks. Big Brother diesel technology. I have a lot of urea for them in the form of human urine.

]]> By: jimmy dean http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-639 jimmy dean Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:41:18 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-639 Errr... I wouldn't say diesels are CLEANER than gas counterparts. Cleaner than the gasoline engines of several years ago yes. But emissions are a moving target and diesels have difficulty with particulates and NOx even with all the current tech. That being said the newer generation of catalysts being developed promises to make the EPA happy and match the emissions of gasoline motors. And using biodiesel drops pollutants even further. I drove the C-class diesel in Europe and achieved a Prius like 42mpg average no matter how hard I mashed the throttle. Even though it has less power than the tested E320 it was still a hell of a lot more fun to drive than a Prius. And not that much more expensive! Now if only M-B would bring those smooth shifting 6-speed manuals they put on their European offerings.... HELLO! Errr… I wouldn’t say diesels are CLEANER than gas counterparts. Cleaner than the gasoline engines of several years ago yes. But emissions are a moving target and diesels have difficulty with particulates and NOx even with all the current tech.

That being said the newer generation of catalysts being developed promises to make the EPA happy and match the emissions of gasoline motors. And using biodiesel drops pollutants even further.

I drove the C-class diesel in Europe and achieved a Prius like 42mpg average no matter how hard I mashed the throttle. Even though it has less power than the tested E320 it was still a hell of a lot more fun to drive than a Prius. And not that much more expensive!

Now if only M-B would bring those smooth shifting 6-speed manuals they put on their European offerings…. HELLO!

]]> By: mike hardage http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-492 mike hardage Thu, 23 Feb 2006 03:24:01 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-492 Zerin I drove one of these for a month; amazing car! Great power; I got about 32mpg at 90mph highway on trips; about 26-27 around the neighborhood with a lead foot. The car would spin the rear tires when I jumped on the throttle to get out of someone's way. Good article Zerin

I drove one of these for a month; amazing car! Great power; I got about 32mpg at 90mph highway on trips; about 26-27 around the neighborhood with a lead foot. The car would spin the rear tires when I jumped on the throttle to get out of someone’s way.

Good article

]]> By: dan gabor http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-478 dan gabor Tue, 21 Feb 2006 01:47:07 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-478 the best one everrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 the best one everrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

]]> By: Daniel Abranko http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-469 Daniel Abranko Mon, 20 Feb 2006 03:02:54 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-469 I'm happy that more americans are discovering and showcasing the fact that modern diesel powered vehicles (cars in particular,) are an excellent alternative to gasoline only and even gasoline hybrid cars for fuel efficient, environmentally friendly transport. Modern emissions reduction and computer controlled engine technology has enabled a new generation of diesels which not only run quieter than ever, but the newest diesels even produce lower emissions than their gasoline counterparts. I'm sad though, that Toyota, Honda and other manufacturers which sell extremely efficient diesel powered compact cars in europe. Hopefully these manufacturers will come around soon... I’m happy that more americans are discovering and showcasing the fact that modern diesel powered vehicles (cars in particular,) are an excellent alternative to gasoline only and even gasoline hybrid cars for fuel efficient, environmentally friendly transport. Modern emissions reduction and computer controlled engine technology has enabled a new generation of diesels which not only run quieter than ever, but the newest diesels even produce lower emissions than their gasoline counterparts.
I’m sad though, that Toyota, Honda and other manufacturers which sell extremely efficient diesel powered compact cars in europe. Hopefully these manufacturers will come around soon…

]]> By: Shaan http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-468 Shaan Mon, 20 Feb 2006 02:56:14 +0000 http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/02/19/dubspeed-driven-road-test-the-mercedes-e320-cdi-diesel-power-trumping-the-hybrid-hype/#comment-468 It is certainly nice to see an attractive and powerful sedan powered by a diesel here in the states. Now if we can get the twin turbo Audi A8 diesel and get these emissions issues taken care of I will be totally happy. It is certainly nice to see an attractive and powerful sedan powered by a diesel here in the states. Now if we can get the twin turbo Audi A8 diesel and get these emissions issues taken care of I will be totally happy.

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