wheel32
12-31-2007, 09:00 AM
IMES CHANGE, AND HOW! A FEW YEARS ago, to assume that all diesel engines are smoky, powerless, unrefined and lethargic was common sense. In a span of about 7-8 years, the new generation common rail technology has completely altered the way people look at diesel engines. What used to be the 'dirtier fuel' when compared with petrol is now unbelievably 1 refined, very environment friendly, offers incomparably more pulling power and is substantially more economical to run.
39
Mercedes- Benz has historically been at the forefront of diesel engine technology. Right from the time when Rudolph Diesel patented the diesel engine on z8 February 1892, to the successful development of the first series-production four-cylinder diesel engine for passenger cars in November 1934, to 'If the modern day super refined, super quiet and amazingly torquey engines, Mercedes-Benz has a legendary history of oil burning mills. Even today, the company leads the diesel revolution with its next generation engines incorporating astonishing technologies like Bluetec and its unique petrol-diesel hybrid technology called Diesotto, soon to be incorporated in the company's production cars. To showcase its excellence in diesel technology, Daimler Chrysler India Limited organised a drive for automotive experts across the country. The drive, named as The India Trail featured the best exponents of the company's advancements in diesel engine technology. All the diesel cars of the company,the S320 CD!, the E280 CD!, the M320 CD!, the Viano van and both the usual and the bio-diesel variants of the C220CDI were there for the auto-journos to experience and relish. The inaugural section of the drive, meant exclusively for the print media comprised of a route from Pune to Bangalore via Goa and Belgaum.
38
While all the featured cars had already been reviewed at CAR India, and I had a fair hang of the remarkable capabilities of the mills powering them, driving them over long distances offered an opportunity to understand and appreciate the qualities of these fabulous engines even more. While the show stealer for me was clearly the E280 CDI with its stomping performance and equally adept handling, the engines on other cars too were no less a hoot to drive. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel powering the S320 CDI and the M320 CDI handles a weight of more than two tonnes with effortless elan, endowing the two cars with amazing swiftness and agility. A smaller 2148cc in-line four diesel powers the lighter C220 CDI and lends the car enough spunk for a sporty character. Amazingly, the bio-diesel variant of the car which was running on 1000/0 bio-diesel (no mineral diesel mixed) ran as smoothly and effortlessly - seems like the concept of herbal fuels in cars is not far from reaching reality in actual operation. The 2.2-litre engine in the Viano too amazed everyone with its load carrying talents and high-speed cruising abilities on open highways.
It truly was a fascinating experience to drive all these cars, perched at the pinnacle of diesel engine technology. We know, it's not possible to know how it feels to drive a Merc, till the time, err, you actually drive one, but we've tried to share our experience as much as possible through pictures, so have a look and enjoy.
39
Mercedes- Benz has historically been at the forefront of diesel engine technology. Right from the time when Rudolph Diesel patented the diesel engine on z8 February 1892, to the successful development of the first series-production four-cylinder diesel engine for passenger cars in November 1934, to 'If the modern day super refined, super quiet and amazingly torquey engines, Mercedes-Benz has a legendary history of oil burning mills. Even today, the company leads the diesel revolution with its next generation engines incorporating astonishing technologies like Bluetec and its unique petrol-diesel hybrid technology called Diesotto, soon to be incorporated in the company's production cars. To showcase its excellence in diesel technology, Daimler Chrysler India Limited organised a drive for automotive experts across the country. The drive, named as The India Trail featured the best exponents of the company's advancements in diesel engine technology. All the diesel cars of the company,the S320 CD!, the E280 CD!, the M320 CD!, the Viano van and both the usual and the bio-diesel variants of the C220CDI were there for the auto-journos to experience and relish. The inaugural section of the drive, meant exclusively for the print media comprised of a route from Pune to Bangalore via Goa and Belgaum.
38
While all the featured cars had already been reviewed at CAR India, and I had a fair hang of the remarkable capabilities of the mills powering them, driving them over long distances offered an opportunity to understand and appreciate the qualities of these fabulous engines even more. While the show stealer for me was clearly the E280 CDI with its stomping performance and equally adept handling, the engines on other cars too were no less a hoot to drive. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel powering the S320 CDI and the M320 CDI handles a weight of more than two tonnes with effortless elan, endowing the two cars with amazing swiftness and agility. A smaller 2148cc in-line four diesel powers the lighter C220 CDI and lends the car enough spunk for a sporty character. Amazingly, the bio-diesel variant of the car which was running on 1000/0 bio-diesel (no mineral diesel mixed) ran as smoothly and effortlessly - seems like the concept of herbal fuels in cars is not far from reaching reality in actual operation. The 2.2-litre engine in the Viano too amazed everyone with its load carrying talents and high-speed cruising abilities on open highways.
It truly was a fascinating experience to drive all these cars, perched at the pinnacle of diesel engine technology. We know, it's not possible to know how it feels to drive a Merc, till the time, err, you actually drive one, but we've tried to share our experience as much as possible through pictures, so have a look and enjoy.