New Engines For Mercedes E-Class

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Mercedes will expand the engine range of the E-Class. The revised model, which will be available from June 10th, will also receive diesel variants with the new Bluetec filter process.

Mercedes is planning further engine variants for the revised E-Class. As the automaker announced at the presentation of the series in Munich, the five diesel and gasoline engines and the natural gas model will not remain in the long term. For example, other diesel variants with the new Bluetec filter process and additional gasoline engines with new direct injection are possible.

The revised E-Class starts with a modified design, expanded safety equipment and modified chassis on June 10th for at least 36,424 euros.

From 2008 Bluetec models in Europe

In the fall, the E-Class will also be launched in the USA as the E 320 Bluetec. According to research director Thomas Weber, this compression-ignition engine is the “cleanest diesel in the world” thanks to additional catalysts to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and, according to company sources, it will also make its way to Europe. There is no exact date for this yet. But Mercedes confirmed at the event that the first Bluetec models will also be sold in Europe by 2008 at the latest.

According to information from company circles, a second eight-cylinder below the E 500, as used in the GL 450 off-road vehicle, is also planned for the medium term for the E-Class. This engine with 250 kW / 340 PS could provide a new boost in sales in the further life cycle, they say. This also applies to the second generation of gasoline direct injection, which Mercedes is now introducing in its sister model, the CLS 350 CGI. According to Weber, the V6 engine with 215 kW / 292 hp used there also fits into the E-Class. "If customers ask about it, it is easy for us to offer this engine in sedans and station wagons as well."

Hybrid only for the next generation

On the other hand, according to Weber, the use of hybrid technology from the research cooperation with BMW and General Motors is rather unlikely in this generation of the E-Class. The so-called “two mode” hybrid does not require more installation space than the seven-speed automatic and it does fit into the vehicle.

But because the battery also has to be accommodated and therefore has to be intervened more deeply in the basic structure, the integration of the technology is probably only expected for the next generation of models.

Rejection of biodiesel

Weber also rejected special variants for the use of biodiesel or bio-ethanol, for which the injection systems and tanks in particular would have to be modified. "Instead of converting individual models to a high proportion of these fuels, we are relying on a growing admixture of biodiesel and ethanol in conventional diesel or gasoline," said Weber in Munich. (dpa)