What Is It?
2004 Mercedes Benz E 400 CDI
What's Special About It?
Billed as the most powerful diesel-engined production car in the world, the E400 CDI promises excellent performance to go along with its range-topping fuel mileage. Mercedes engineers managed to get an extra 10 horsepower out of the twin turbocharged 4.0-liter power plant over previous versions for a total of 260 horsepower. Being a diesel, however, its real performance comes in the way of massive amounts of torque — in this case 405 pound-feet worth. Mercedes claims that not only does the ample horsepower give the midsize sedan a 0-to-60 time of 6.9 seconds, the prodigious amount of torque gives it enough midrange punch to go to from 37 to 75 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Even with such impressive performance the common rail diesel engine still returns excellent mileage with a full tank (20 gallons) allowing for a range of 527 miles. The car is equipped much like a standard gasoline-engined E-Class with an air-controlled suspension, four-zone climate control and 17-inch light alloy wheels and tires.
Why Should You Care?
Normally a diesel-engined Mercedes wouldn't be cause of much concern here in the States, but this oil-burner from Germany stands a good chance of being shipped to the U.S. market sometime next year. With performance on par with its gasoline-engined stablemates and a range of 527 miles on a single tank, this Mercedes could be the start of a growing awareness in the U.S. of just how far diesel engines have come since the "dark" days in the late '70s and early '80s.
2004 Mercedes Benz E 400 CDI
What's Special About It?
Billed as the most powerful diesel-engined production car in the world, the E400 CDI promises excellent performance to go along with its range-topping fuel mileage. Mercedes engineers managed to get an extra 10 horsepower out of the twin turbocharged 4.0-liter power plant over previous versions for a total of 260 horsepower. Being a diesel, however, its real performance comes in the way of massive amounts of torque — in this case 405 pound-feet worth. Mercedes claims that not only does the ample horsepower give the midsize sedan a 0-to-60 time of 6.9 seconds, the prodigious amount of torque gives it enough midrange punch to go to from 37 to 75 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Even with such impressive performance the common rail diesel engine still returns excellent mileage with a full tank (20 gallons) allowing for a range of 527 miles. The car is equipped much like a standard gasoline-engined E-Class with an air-controlled suspension, four-zone climate control and 17-inch light alloy wheels and tires.
Why Should You Care?
Normally a diesel-engined Mercedes wouldn't be cause of much concern here in the States, but this oil-burner from Germany stands a good chance of being shipped to the U.S. market sometime next year. With performance on par with its gasoline-engined stablemates and a range of 527 miles on a single tank, this Mercedes could be the start of a growing awareness in the U.S. of just how far diesel engines have come since the "dark" days in the late '70s and early '80s.
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