Our first sampling of this engine was in a C-Class fitted with the seven-speed automatic found in the gas-powered cars. An intercooler reducez the temperature of the compressed air, further enhancing performance. Like its predecessor, the V6 diesel is outfitted with a variable nozzle turbine turbocharger that reacts quickly to changes in engine speed by electrically adjusting the pitch of the guide vanes based on engine speed. The old inline engine made 201 hp at 4200 rpm and 369 lb-ft at 1800 to 2600 rpm. The mill makes 221 hp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque from 1600 to 2800 rpm. Metallurgical magic aside, improvement is down to the third-generation of Mercedes CDI (Common-rail Direct Injection) technology. Aluminum is also used for the cylinder heads and other engine components, such as the water pump, oil sump and pistons. Mercedes claims a world’s first in offering a diesel engine with an aluminum crankcase and cast-in grey iron cylinders. The E320 CDI that went on sale here last year ( AW, May 3, 2004) powered by a turbocharged, inline 3.2-liter six-cylinder diesel, will be fitted beginning next year with an all-new, aluminum turbocharged 3.2-liter V6. > The C-Class cars aren’t the only Mercedes-Benz vehicles scheduled to get a new powerplant. More horsepower, greater torque and better fuel economy, at about the same price. Prices for the new models will be released closer to the on-sale date in late June or early July, but Mercedes officials say prices should be similar to the outgoing models. Engineers also managed to give the exhaust note a pleasing performance rumble not quite a muscle-car V8 sound, but a potent, satisfying noise nonetheless. Time was spent tuning the engine’s sounds by using a woven nylon material-rather than a smooth plastic-for the intake manifold (it absorbs sound, greatly reducing intake noise). To ensure smooth operation, the engine has a balancer shaft running between the cylinder banks and rotating at the same speed but in the opposite direction of the forged crankshaft. Steering-wheel-mounted shift buttons allow you to make your own gear changes, snapping them off nearly as quickly as you can press the buttons. The automatic, outfitted with the latest electronics, quickly downshifts to keep the engine in the sweet spot, better utilizing all the available power. And because of the wide powerband, Mercedes says the seven-speed automatic-equipped C350 takes just 6.1 seconds to get from 35 to 75 mph. That line seems to be blurring.Ī 0 to 62 mph sprint takes just 6.4 seconds, 1.3 seconds quicker than the previous model. The old C320 sedan never felt slow, but you wouldn’t confuse it with a sports car either. On our test drive, this stronger pulling power was quickly evident, and much appreciated. This output is up from 215 hp at 5700 rpm and 229 lb-ft at 3000 to 4600 revs. The weight saving from conventional cast-iron liners is more than one pound per cylinder.įrom this springs an engine producing 268 hp at 6000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 2400 to 5000 rpm. The engine uses the latest in metallurgy, with the crankcase and cylinder heads made of aluminum the pistons are iron-coated aluminum with steel connecting rods and the cylinder liners are aluminum-silicone lined. While no official EPA figures are yet available, M-B says fuel efficiency is increased 12 percent despite the bigger displacement and improved output. The engine uses variable cam timing for the 24 intake and exhaust valves, improving efficiency significantly from the 3.2-liter unit it replaces. The 3.5-liter V6 is same unit we first saw in the SLK released last year ( AW, March 29, 2004). The Sport package comes standard with a six-speed manual, while the seven-speed auto is optional. A standard seven-speed automatic transmission comes in the Luxury model while the 4Matic, awd version comes with a five-speed auto. The C350 will replace the C320 and will be available in Sport and Luxury trims. The top of the line models are now fitted with the company’s new 3.5-liter V6 and a new seven-speed automatic transmission. If you need more evidence, consider that the C-Class was all-new just four years ago, had an exterior freshening along with changes in suspension and steering last year and this year the car gets a serious powertrain upgrade. Mercedes sold 69,251 C-Class models last year in the States, accounting for 31 percent of the 221,610 vehicles sold here wearing the three-pointed star. The C-Class is the smallest sedan Mercedes-Benz sells in the United States (for now) but it’s also the biggest seller, so an argument could be made that it’s the most important vehicle in the portfolio.
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