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.

The world’s first tuned car to meet the new EURO VI exhaust emission standard comes from BRABUS . Equipped with the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit the new Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC delivers an additional 55 hp (54 bhp) / 40.5 kW of power and a peak torque of 690 Nm (509 lb-ft). This tuning kit also makes BRABUS the first tuner to meet the strict limits of the EURO VI emission standard that won’t go into effect until 2014. In emission testing required for certification the S 350 BlueTEC with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S remained below the EURO VI limits by 30 percent. Special versions of the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit are also available for all four body styles of the Mercedes E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model and for the new CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.

For more than three decades now engine tuning ‘made by BRABUS’ has stood for enormous performance combined with durability and suitability for daily use beyond reproach. Just as important for the engine specialists in the BRABUS engineering center in Bottrop has always been the perfect symbiosis of high performance and excellent eco-friendliness.

Already back in 1986 BRABUS presented the first tuned car that was equipped with a catalytic converter, the Mercedes 190 E with AB1 tuning kit. One year later the entire BRABUS engine range was converted to eco-friendly emission control by means of catalysts.

Sizeable investments into the development of high-performance metal catalysts culminated in 1999 in the presentation of the BRABUS 5.8 high-capacity engine based on the Mercedes 500.294 The V8 engine delivered 400 hp (394 bhp) / 294 kW and already undercut the Euro IV emission standard that didn’t go into effect until 2005. In emission testing required for homologation the engine bested the new standard’s permissible emissions by up to 56 percent. That qualified the Mercedes CL 500 equipped with this engine even in California as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

At the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA 2001 the BRABUS E V8 CDI, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class of the time, celebrated its world premiere. At that time this sedan was the only diesel car in the world equipped with a diesel particulate filter and De-NOx catalysts. It was the first diesel engine to successfully pass Euro IV emission tests that didn’t become law until four years later. Incidentally, the E V8 CDI was also the most powerful diesel car available anywhere in the world at the time.

The BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6 BLUE power kit for the Mercedes E 300 BLUETEC set another milestone on the path to increasingly cleaner high-performance automobiles in 2007. It made BRABUS the first tuner to meet strict EURO V exhaust emission limits, which go into effect in 2011. In emission tests BRABUS-tuned engines remained below permissible limits by up to 65 percent.

The Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC is one of the first diesel-powered cars on the market that meets the EURO VI emission standard. For a reputable tuner it also raises the bar to new unfamiliar heights. In contrast to almost all other tuners BRABUS has its own engine development department equipped with state-of-the-art test-bench technology and emission laboratory.

For the V6 turbodiesel engine with common-rail direct injection the engineers developed the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S module for the electronic engine management system of the S 350 BlueTEC. The auxiliary control unit can also be installed in the 4MATIC four-wheel- drive model. It is designed as a plug-and-play device and is integrated into the CAN data bus of the luxury sedan. The BRABUS mapping was adapted specifically to the eco-friendly BlueTEC concept that uses AdBlue® SCR technology.

The BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S kit comes with a very special feature. The extent of the performance increase is dependent on the selected shift mode of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. In ‘Eco’ mode the maximum power output of the engine remains unchanged but peak torque jumps from standard 620 Nm to 690 Nm (457 to 509 lb-ft), on tap between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm. Upon switching to ‘Manual’ or ‘Sport’ mode the increase in torque is accompanied by an increase in maximum power output from 258 hp (255 bhp) / 190 kW to 313 hp (308 bhp) / 230 kW at a low 3,600 rpm.

In this configuration the tuned S 350 sprints from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds, half a second faster than the production car. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h (155 mph).

The BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit is also available for all four body styles of the Mercedes E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and for the new CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model. The engine parameters are identical. Maximum power output for these models also jumps to 313 hp (308 bhp) / 230 kW at a low 3,600 rpm and peak torque grows to 690 Nm (509 lb-ft).

On the road the 2.987-ccm (182.3 cubic inches) V6 with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S tuning and the standard seven-speed automatic gearbox delivers excellent performance. But that’s not all: The increase in torque results in further improved pulling power, which benefits fuel economy. Depending on driving style, fuel economy of all models can be further improved over their production counterparts.

Like all BRABUS components the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit is backed by the BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers / 62,000 miles (see BRABUS warranty conditions, as of November 2006).

The perfect complement to the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for all model series is the custom-tailored BRABUS sport exhaust system with four polished tailpipes. The fully stainless-steel exhaust systems lend the common-rail engine a more powerful exhaust note and further optimize power yield.

The new S 350 BlueTEC which is now available from Mercedes-Benz is the most efficient and safest S-Class ever. And thanks to AdBlue® emission control it also offers one of the cleanest diesel models in the world. With combined fuel consumption of just 6.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (NEDC) – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 177 grammes per kilometre – the new diesel model is eleven percent more economical than its predecessor. At the same time, the power output is up ten percent at 190 kW (258 hp) and torque is 15 percent higher at 620 Newton metres. In addition, the S 350 BlueTEC already complies with the emission levels which are planned for 2014 with the introduction of the EU 6 standard. Other new features for the S-Class of model year 2010 include Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

The new S 350 BlueTEC combines outstanding safety and comfort plus performance on a par with an eight-cylinder vehicle with the excellent fuel consumption and emission values of a mid-size model. At 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres, the S 350 BlueTEC undercuts its predecessor model by 0.8 litres. CO2 emissions have similarly dropped by eleven percent, from 199 to 177 grammes per kilometre. At the same time output characteristics have improved, maximum power output rising from 173 kW (235 hp) to 190 kW (258 hp) with the current V6 engine and torque hitting a massive 620 Newton metres. The highly efficient and clean V6 diesel engine assures the luxury saloon of impressive performance, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).

BlueTEC is a technology developed by Mercedes-Benz to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, in particular nitrogen oxides. To this end AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution, is injected into the exhaust flow. This releases ammonia, which converts up to 80 percent of nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter. As a result, the S 350 BlueTEC already complies with the emission levels which are planned for 2014 with the introduction of the EU 6 standard. The AdBlue® tank is installed under the luggage compartment floor and has a capacity of 25.7 litres. The tank is replenished at the regular maintenance intervals every 25,000 kilometres. The price for the new S 350 BlueTEC stands at € 76,279.00.

Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist

In parallel with the CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also introducing two new safety systems for the S-Class which can help to avoid dangerous situations and accidents. When the wheels pass over a broken lane marking, the system activates an electric motor in the steering wheel which triggers brief vibrations – a subtle but effective warning signal. Active Lane Keeping Assist takes effect when the vehicle unintentionally passes over a continuous line to the right or left of the lane. In this case it gently brakes the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle to counteract the drift away from the lane. Active Lane Keeping Assist employs the ESP® electronic stability programme for this purpose.

Active Blind Spot Assist is now available as a further new feature for the S-Class. This system warns the driver by means of a red signal in the glass of the exterior mirror when it detects that changing the lane may lead to an accident. Close-range radar sensors scan the area directly alongside and behind the car for this purpose. If the driver ignores the warnings and a vehicle in the neighbouring lane comes dangerously near – when cutting in after overtaking, for example – gentle corrective braking intervention will take place via ESP® on the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle. This results in slight yawing of the saloon around its vertical axis as a result of the varying brake force distribution.

Where an accident is nevertheless unavoidable, braking intervention by Active Blind Spot Assist helps to reduce the severity of impact. Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are available for the S-Class now as part of the Driving Assistance package PLUS.

New leather appointments with stitching

To personalise the interior of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also offering new, high-quality leather appointments which underscore the luxury saloon’s exclusive character. A defining feature is the contrasting stitching on the PASSION leather package and the Exclusive PASSION leather package (standard for S 600). Colours and scope of appointments vary according to upholstery and package contents.

The PASSION leather package features the stitching on the fine leather of the seats and armrests as well as on the top and bottom of the instrument panel support and the door panelling, all of which are finished in ARTICO, a man-made leather which is pleasant to the touch. The Exclusive PASSION leather package features seats, armrests, instrument panel support, door linings, ruffled pockets and a rear shelf in fine leather with contrasting stitching. Alcantara is used for the roof liner and to cover the A-, B- and C-pillars.

Tailor-made high-end sound system

The new Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system tailored to the luxury saloon’s interior is available as a further new feature for the S-Class (standard for S 65 AMG). A combination of 15 loudspeakers and two amplifiers with a total output of 1200 W ensure a thrilling quality of sound from this high-end system. The algorithm of the digital sound processor allows a choice between high-end studio sound and surround sound, and the audio output can be focused exactly on the seat positions of the driver, front-passenger, rear seats or the centre of the interior.

Music can be enjoyed on long trips without tiring the listeners, thanks in particular to the dynamic compensation of driving noise: a microphone integrated in the roof lining between the gullwing doors provides a continuous supply of data on the current interior noise level. The digital sound processor analyses all the frequency bands and increases the volume according to the vehicle’s speed – via individual adjustment of each loudspeaker and the different frequency ranges.