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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
26 May 2008
Mercedes-Benz has become the second car company to provide the
option of a diesel engine at the top end of the luxury passenger
car market, joining the Audi A8 TDI launched here in mid-2006.
At
first glance a luxury diesel car could appear to be an odd
combination, given that the major reason for choosing
diesel-powered vehicles is fuel economy and someone with around
$200,000 to spend on a car is unlikely to be concerned about the
cost of filling the tank.
The
answer is more likely to lie in a mixture of environmental
consciousness together with the extra performance that comes out
of modern turbo-diesel engines such as that fitted to the new
Mercedes S-Class S 320 CDI.
The
lightweight 3.0-litre V6 engine generates 173 kilowatts of power
but, more importantly, 540 Newton metres of torque between 1600
and 2800 rpm. While there’s a hint of the typical clatter that
identifies it as a diesel engine once you’re inside the big
Mercedes saloon it’s all but impossible to tell that this
isn’t a refined petrol engine. Until you squeeze the accelerator
and that torque grabs hold and sends the big Merc bounding away.
Fuel
consumption is an economical 8.5 litres per hundred kilometres
based on the official Australian measurements and has CO2 emission
will have very low emissions.
Gear
changing is via Benz’s sophisticated seven-speed automatic
transmission.
We’ve
only had a brief test of the S 320 DCI, and only in the Sydney
suburbs, but ride comfort in the front and rear seats is excellent
with plenty of rear leg and headroom. Based on limited demand for
its petrol equivalent Mercedes-Benz Australia has no immediate
plans to import the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class diesel.
Both
driver and passenger front seats are electronically operated and
include 11 interior air chambers to enable them to be contoured to
the shape of each occupant. They also automatically adjust lumbar
settings to provide the appropriate support depending on the
steering angle, lateral acceleration and speed of the car.
Naturally
the S 320 CDI comes with all the safety and luxury features that
befit the Mercedes flagship range. These include ABS brakes with
enhancements such as brake assist, adaptive brake regulation and
hill-start assist; acceleration skid control; stability and
traction control; front, side and window airbags; airmatic
suspension; and M-B’s Pre-Safe accident anticipation system. The
various entertainment and computer features, controlled by COMAND
APS system, include TV tuner, satellite navigation, six-disc CD/DVD
with MP3 compatibility and mobile phone pre-installation.
Most
diesel-powered cars carry a premium over their petrol equivalents
however, in a clever marketing ploy, Mercedes-Benz Australia has
listed both the S 320 CDI and the 3.5-litre petrol S 350 at
exactly the same price of $190,900.
We’ll
be taking the big Benz diesel on an extended test later this year,
including plenty of kilometres on the open road, and will provide
a comprehensive report at that time.
The
complete Mercedes-Benz S-Class range, with prices (excluding
on-road costs) is:
S 350 3.5-litre V6 petrol: $190,900
S 320 CDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel: $190,900
S 350 L 3.5-litre V6 petrol: $206,900
S 500 5.5-litre V8 petrol: $260,000
S 500 L 5.5-litre V8 petrol: $276,000
S 600 L 5.5-litre V12 bi-turbo petrol: $367,000
S 63 AMG 6.2-litre V8 petrol: $351,000
S 65 L AMG 6.0-litre V12 bi-turbo petrol: $451,000
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Marque Publishing Company
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