As part of the company's ongoing engine developments, aerodynamic production principles and use of lightweight construction methods, Mercedes has announced today that the 2008 C-Class throughout its life span will consume up to 17 percent less fuel than the previous generation C-Class as well as produce 15 percent less carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the new C also manages to drastically reduce both nitrogen oxide emissions and hydrocarbons, with each noting reductions of 20 percent and 12 percent throughout their life span, respectively.

The findings, which were verified by the German technical inspection authorities (TÜV), came after an exhaustive Lifecycle Assessment which involved analyzing both material and component production phases as well as an operating mileage of 200,000 kilometres and subsequent recycling.  In total, some 40,000 individual processes were evaluated during the project.  As a result, the new C-Class is the only vehicle in its market segment to possess an environmental certificate, a clear indicator of the environmentally-compatible development of the new model.

To learn more about the 2008 C-Class and its Lifecycle Assessment, you can find more info the complete press release below as well as in the above photo (click to enlarge).

Enjoy.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


New C-Class with positive environmental Lifecycle Assessment: carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 15 percent

Stuttgart, Feb 08, 2007
By virtue of further engine developments, the concerted use of lightweight construction methods and good aerodynamics, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class consumes up to 17 percent less fuel than the preceding model introduced in 2000. Verified by the German technical inspection authorities (TÜV), the Lifecycle Assessment of the new saloon has confirmed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been reduced by 15 percent in the C-Class.

The results of this Lifecycle Assessment demonstrate the remarkable progress that Mercedes-Benz has achieved in product-oriented environmental protection in recent years. Compared to the preceding model introduced in 2000, environmental specialists have calculated a reduction of 125 gigajoules in the overall energy requirement for the new C-Class. This corresponds to around 3800 litres of fuel. Carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by nine tonnes (15 percent) per vehicle since 2000.

The reduction in exhaust emissions is just as impressive: compared to the previous model of 2000, the cutting-edge technology of the new C-Class has made possible a 20-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a twelve percent reduction in hydrocarbons according to the Lifecycle Assessment.

The particulate emissions of the diesel models have been lowered by more than 90 percent thanks to the fitting of a maintenance-free particulate filter as standard equipment.

When producing the Lifecycle Assessment, the specialists based their findings on the material and component production phases, as well as an operating mileage of 200,000 kilometres and subsequent recycling. Up to 40,000 individual processes were analysed during the project. The new C-Class is the world’s only car in this market segment to possess an environmental certificate, which confirms the environmentally compatible development of the saloon.

The information provided in the environment-related product description was also verified by TÜV. This information is published on the internet by Mercedes-Benz at www.daimlerchrysler.com/sustainability.

Copyright © 2007, DaimlerChrysler AG