Mercedes S-class to get 4-cyl 201bhp diesel in 2010

Mercedes will add a cheaper variant to the highly successful present-generation S-class next year. This is in keeping with the green theme of the car and possibly reduce the average emissions of its fleet.The new model with sport a 1.8l diesel with 201bhp.

Together with keeping itself green, we feel that this will be the best S-class yet for chauffer driven owners as its got adequate power and in the end this is an S-class so you will get the endless list of options as well. What’s more, its a diesel which means it will be easy on the wallet as well.

To be called as the S300 CDI, it will come with the E250 CDi’s 1.8L 4-cylinder with an amazing 201bhp and more than 470Nm of torque, and don’t forget that this is an oil-burner after all, so these figures sound unreal. The E-class does 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds on to a top speed close to 250kph. The S-class being heavier will be slightly slower but still no slouch with 100kph in around 8.5-9 seconds and a top of 235kph.

Although engineering a small 4-pot into the massive engine bay of the S-class sounds simple, Mercedes’ R&D boss Thomas Weber says, it was quite the opposite. He admits that downsizing the S-class diesel was an engineering challenge. “The issue is NVH [noise, vibration and harshness],” he said. “Getting refinement to S-class levels was difficult and we had to change engine mounts and add body stiffness”.

We hope Mercedes introduces this engine in India. It will be a whole lot cheaper and will widen the appeal of the S-class thereby increasing its sales. If it ever came, expect a minimum price tag of 70 lakhs. At this price though, it will be a bargain for those who don’t drive their S-class.

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