New petrol engines and an optimised powertrain make the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class the standard for efficiency in its segment. With a combined fuel consumption of only 6.8-7.0 litres and 8.9 litres * of premium petrol per 100 kilometres, the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY excel as the most economical models in their respective performance classes. Following the introduction of the new BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 models, all petrol and diesel engines in the E-Class now feature direct injection. The reduction in fuel consumption by up to 20 percent is also due to the standard ECO start/stop function and the improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which is now also available for the four-cylinder variants**.

“E” for “Efficiency”: this is the well-proven success formula with which the E-Class is again raising the bar, and showing how the intelligent interaction between technical innovations throughout the powertrain can reduce fuel consumption even further. For example, in the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY a combination of third-generation BlueDIRECT injection, the new 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function has led to a decrease in consumption by 20 percent compared to the preceding model, although peak output has increased by 10 kW/14 hp to 215 kW (306 hp). This high-tech V6 petrol engine is happy with 6.8-7.0 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 159-164 g/km. The new E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

A comparable leap in efficiency is achieved by the new E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY. Despite a significantly smaller displacement (4633 cc, previously 5461 cc), the biturbo eight-cylinder with BlueDIRECT technology has gained in both output (300 kW/408 hp, previously 285 kW/388 hp) and torque (600 Nm, previously 530 Nm). At the same time its fuel consumption has fallen by around 17 percent from 10.8 to 8.9 l/100 kilometres * (NEDC combined). This too is the top figure in this perfor mance class – and is accompanied by superior performance: the new E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.2 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

Lower fuel consumption: ECO start/stop function and 7G-TRONIC PLUS

This leap in efficiency for the BlueDIRECT engines is assisted by the standard ECO start/stop function, which is now included ex factory in the four-cylinder petrol and diesel models as well. Thanks to direct-start technology, the Mercedes-Benz system for petrol engines operates both immediately and quietly.

The automatic transmission exclusively available for the E-Class in future is 7G-TRONIC PLUS **. This comprehensively improved 7-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment in the E 250 BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and

E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY. The features of this latest evolutionary stage include a new torque converter with reduced slip, an ECO shift programme with an improved ratio spread and an auxiliary oil pump to maintain the operating pressure during automatic stops. Low-friction components and low-viscosity fluid help to reduce the operating pressure.

Major leap in efficiency: the four-cylinder diesel engines in the E-Class

Particularly in the four-cylinder variants of the E-Class, the ECO start/stop function and 7G-TRONIC PLUS make for a considerable increase in efficiency. The engine specialists have also optimised the oil pressure control and belt drive, and equipped the turbocharger with a self-regulating compressor.

Result: In the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (125 kW/170 hp) and E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp) the NEDC consumption CO2 emissions in combination with the 6-speed manual transmission are now only 5.0-5.3 l/100 km and 130-139 g/km. In the automatic version they have fallen by 16 percent to 4.9-5.3 l/100km and 129-138 g CO2/km*. This makes the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY the most efficient diesel model in its performance category in the luxury class. Both the

6-speed manual and 7G-TRONIC variants of the 100 kW (136 hp) E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY entry-level diesel now have a combined NEDC fuel consumption of only 5.1-5.4 litres per 100 kilometres (134-141 g CO2/km).

Petrol engines at their finest: E 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 BlueEFFICIENCY

Updating the powertrain has also led to more fuel efficiency in the four-cylinder petrol engines. The 135 kW (184 hp) E 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with 7G-TRONIC PLUS now has an NEDC consumption of only 6.5-6.9 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres (152-160 g CO2/km). The figures with the manual 6-speed transmission are 7.1-7.4 l/100 km (169-176 g CO2/km).

Exclusively equipped with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission, the E 250 BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp) has a 13 percent lower NEDC fuel consumption than before at 6.6-7.0 l/100 km. CO2 emissions have fallen to 154-162 g/km. This means that the E 250 BlueEFFICIENCY is likewise at the top of its class with respect to efficiency.

Luxury class with bivalent natural gas drive: E 200 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY

The E 200 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY with bivalent natural gas drive rounds off the comprehensive update to the engine range for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The 120 kW (163 hp) four-cylinder in the Saloon can be operated on both premium petrol and natural gas. In addition to the petrol tank, three natural gas tanks are safely accommodated in the only bivalent natural gas model in the luxury class – one behind the rear seat backrest and two under the boot floor.

They have a combined capacity of 121.5 litres of natural gas, corresponding to 19.5 kilograms. In natural gas operation, the combined NEDC consumption of the E 200 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY has fallen by 0.6 kilograms to 5.5 kilograms per 100 kilometres. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 149 grams per kilometre. In petrol mode the combined consumption has been reduced to 8.1 l/100 km.

* provisional figure for Saloon ** except E 200 NGT

Effective immediately, Mercedes-Benz is combining the V6 diesel engine in the S350 BlueTEC with an ECO start/stop function. As a result, the fuel consumption of the luxury class saloon has been lowered to 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres or 1.6 gallons per 62 miles (NEDC combined). The S 350 BlueTEC is also one of the world’s cleanest diesel models.

The V6 diesel engine in the S 350 BlueTEC develops an output of 190 kW (258 hp) from a displacement of 2987 cc, and generates 620 Nm of torque. It also comes with excellent fuel consumption and emission values as standard. Thanks to BlueTEC with AdBlue exhaust treatment, the S-Class model – which made its debut in 2010 – currently already fulfils the emission values planned for 2014 in accordance with the EU6 standard, and as such is one of the world’s cleanest diesel vehicles. The new ECO start/stop function fitted as standard now helps to improve the efficiency of the luxury class saloon even further. With a combined consumption of 6.2 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, the S 350 BlueTEC improves on the figures of its predecessor by 0.6 litre, or nine percent. CO2 emissions have dropped from 177 to 164 grammes per kilometre.

The ECO start/stop system developed by Mercedes-Benz switches the engine off when the vehicle comes to a standstill – for example at traffic lights. The engine then immediately starts again as soon as the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal. Thanks to the intelligent control system, all of the vehicle’s functions and comfort systems continue to operate during the stop phase.

The increase in efficiency was also achieved, among other things, through the use of TWAS(twin-wire-arc-sprayed) coating technology.

AMG has been using TWAS coating technology since 2005 in the 6.3-litre V8 in all model series, including the new SLS. Based on the positive experiences gained, Mercedes has now also developed this technology further for diesel engines. It is currently being introduced in the new Mercedes V6 diesel engine.

The benefits are impressive. Taking the diesel engine as an example, the potential savings are around 3%. At the same time, the weight has been reduced by 4.3 kg.

The price of the Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC remains unchanged at 76,517 euros, inclusive of 19% VAT.