Mercedes Vision C 220 Bluetec at Geneva

Mercedes-Benz has recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show its environmentally-friendly BLUETEC technology which is combined for the first time with a fuel-saving, four-cylinder engine. The Vision C 220 BLUETEC is also created to meet even the stricter EURO 6 emission standard which is expected to be applied to all-new vehicles in Europe starting 2015.

The Vision C 220 BLUETEC delivers an output of 125 kW or 170 hp and a potent torque of 400 Nm. It consumes an average of 5.5 liters of diesel per hundred kilometers. The Vision C 220 BLUETEC provides a glimpse of what to expect out from such initiative. The BLUETEC initiative was launched in the US last autumn with the E 320 BLUETEC.

The introduction of the BLUETEC initiative also coincides with the launching of low-sulphur diesel in North America. The E 320 BLUETEC records a fuel consumption of 6.7 liters per hundred kilometers making this car as the most economical vehicles in its class in the US.

Mercedes-Benz will be offering three V6 BLUETEC models namely the R-Class, M-Class and the GL-class---all with BIN 5 certification which the 50 states in US impose as early as 2008. It was at the Detroit Auto Show when Mercedes-Benz has demonstrated how suitable clean, economical, high-torque engines are for large cars and SUVs. The V8 diesel engine in the Vision GL 420 BLUETEC which made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show can produce an output of 216 kW/290 hp with a peak torque of 700 Nm and a fuel consumption of 9.8 liters per hundred kilometers.

The first four BLUETEC models of Mercedes-Benz illustrate the versatility of this type of innovative technology. After the launching of the BLUETEC initiative in the US, Mercedes-Benz also plans to introduce the BLUETEC in other markets in the world. The BLUETEC technology that is currently being developed is adapted to the European market requirements and scheduled for release starting 2008. The BLUETEC models that Mercedes-Benz will develop would make use of quality Mercedes auto parts such as the Mercedes brake booster which is a vital part of any Mercedes vehicle. Mercedes brake boosters amplify the pressure that a driver applies on the brakes of the car.

BLUETEC an exclusive DaimlerChrysler technology
The BLUETEC initiative is developed by DaimlerChrysler with the objective of reducing harmful diesel emissions, in particular nitrogen oxides which is high in concentration among diesel engines compared to their petrol counterparts. This is also one of the reasons why Mercedes-Benz engine engineers have focused in the engines and their combustion processes.

The Vision C 220 BLUETEC is equipped with a sophisticated four-cylinder powerplant and just like any standard production-engines the C 220 is fitted with four valves per cylinder, a turbocharger with variable nozzle turbine and exhaust gas recirculation. It also possesses a highly sensitive electronic engine management unit which reacts to a wide range of operating conditions which in turn optimizes the combustion process.

The BLUETEC technology in the Vision C 220 also includes an oxidizing catalytic converter and a particulate filter that reduces the level of carbon monoxide emissions as well as unburned hydrocarbons. A custom fitted durable NOx storage catalytic converter plus a patented on-board ammonia generation is combined with an additional SCR catalytic converter that reduces nitrogen oxides. Such exhaust-gas after treatment process does not in any way calls for additives.