Diesel-powered cars continue to challenge hybrids for top fuel economy numbers. The latest salvo in the miles-per-gallon war has been fired by the diesel-powered Mercedes E250 BlueTEC sedan, which has been rated at 28mpg in the city and 45 on the highway. Just as impressive, the all-wheel drive 4MATIC version of the E250 BlueTEC is rated at 42 on the highway. For a car the size of the E-Class, that’s pretty astounding.
The E250 BlueTEC is Mercedes’ first use of its latest diesel four-cylinder in the U.S. The 16 valve, DOHC turbodiesel produces 195 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The two-stage turbocharging system is notable for a lack of lag, and Mercedes has smoothed out the engine nicely with balance shafts. Direct fuel injection reduces emissions. A seven-speed automatic transmission puts the power to the road. The excellent freeway fuel economy means that 700-mile trips are possible without stopping to refuel.
Mercedes’ BlueTEC diesels are remarkable because they dn’t require much compromise. Comfort and noise levels are comparable to that of the gasoline-powered cars, while the additional torque is welcome, and provides confident acceleration and smooth, quiet freeway travel. Suspension tuning and braking performance are comparable. The E-Class’s latest generation adopts many amenities from the larger and more luxurious flagship S-Class, and is available as a coupe, sedan and station wagon. An E-Class convertible is also offered, though the diesels are currently sedan-only, but the real wood trim and incredibly comfortable interior make it quite a pleasant place to be.
The E250 BlueTEC also carries the portfolio of safety equipment and driver aids that’s available on the E-Class. Radar-based cruise control, Active Blind Spot Protection and Active Lane Keeping Assist are available, as well as a cross-traffic alert and low-speed pedestrian detection.
The E250 BlueTEC is now the entry-level E-Class, starting at $51,400 for a rear-wheel drive model. 4MATIC takes the base price up to $53,900.
