The pursuit of fuel efficiency and reduced emissions has long been a driving force in automotive innovation, and Mercedes-Benz has consistently been at the forefront of this movement. The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel technology represents a significant leap forward, achieving remarkable fuel economy while minimizing environmental impact. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC sedan perfectly exemplifies this commitment, boasting an EPA-estimated 45 miles per gallon on the highway and 28 mpg in the city. This achievement positions the E250 BlueTEC as a leader in its class, offering best-in-class fuel efficiency for a midsize luxury sedan, even when equipped with the available 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Even with 4MATIC, the fuel economy remains impressive, at 42 mpg highway and 27 mpg city, surpassing other diesel sedans in highway fuel economy ratings.
High-Efficiency Four-Cylinder BlueTEC Diesel Engine
At the heart of the E250 BlueTEC’s efficiency is its advanced turbodiesel engine. This all-aluminum, in-line four-cylinder powerplant is engineered for both performance and economy. Featuring four valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, it delivers 195 horsepower and a substantial 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s design prioritizes smooth operation, addressing the inherent vibrations of an in-line four-cylinder configuration through the use of two Lanchester balance shafts. These shafts, spinning at twice the crankshaft speed on low-friction roller bearings, effectively neutralize engine vibrations, ensuring a refined driving experience.
The engine incorporates a sophisticated two-stage turbocharging system, which eliminates turbo lag and provides rapid throttle response. This technology delivers a broad torque curve across the entire engine speed range, translating to noticeably enhanced performance. Crucially, the impressive 369 lb-ft of torque becomes readily available from as low as 1,800 rpm, providing strong and responsive acceleration in everyday driving situations. This combination of power and efficiency is a hallmark of Mercedes Benz Bluetec Diesel engineering.
BlueTEC Diesel: Advanced Fuel Injection for Power and Cleanliness
The BlueTEC system further refines diesel technology with a high-pressure direct fuel injection system. Operating at an immense 2,000 bar (28,400 pounds per square inch), this system optimizes combustion for both increased power output and reduced exhaust emissions. The higher fuel pressure allows for extremely precise control by the four piezo injectors. These injectors can adjust fuel delivery with exceptional accuracy in response to changing engine load and speed. This level of precision in fuel management places the four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel engine at the forefront of passenger vehicle diesel technology, achieving a superior balance of performance, efficiency, and emissions control.
AdBlue Injection: Ensuring Ultra-Low Emissions
To meet stringent exhaust emission regulations across all 50 U.S. states, the Mercedes Benz BlueTEC diesel system employs AdBlue injection. This technology ensures that the diesel engine operates as cleanly as a modern gasoline engine in terms of emissions. AdBlue, a water-based urea solution, is stored in a dedicated tank and injected in minute quantities into the exhaust stream. The AdBlue tank is conveniently refillable through the fuel filler door and is designed to only require refills during routine scheduled maintenance.
The AdBlue injection process is a key component of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. When AdBlue is introduced into the pre-cleaned exhaust gas, it releases ammonia (NH3). This ammonia then reacts in a downstream catalytic converter to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen and water. SCR technology is recognized as the most effective method of exhaust gas after-treatment currently available, and its integration into Mercedes Benz BlueTEC diesel engines demonstrates a commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
4MATIC All-Wheel Drive: Enhanced Traction and Efficiency
Modern all-wheel-drive systems are increasingly popular, particularly in the luxury vehicle segment, due to their enhanced safety and handling benefits. The optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system available for the E250 BlueTEC provides year-round traction and stability on both dry and wet roads with minimal compromise to fuel efficiency or vehicle weight. The latest Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC system is seamlessly integrated with the 7-speed automatic transmission, fitting within the standard vehicle body and utilizing the existing front suspension design.
Mercedes-Benz engineers have focused on maximizing the efficiency of the 4MATIC system. Innovative measures have been implemented to minimize the energy required to operate the additional gears and shafts, resulting in improved fuel economy compared to earlier all-wheel-drive systems. The availability of 4MATIC on the E250 BlueTEC caters to drivers in regions with varying weather conditions, and Mercedes-Benz anticipated a near 50/50 split in customer preference between rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC versions of the E250 BlueTEC nationally, with significantly higher 4MATIC adoption rates in northern states.
Intelligent Drive: Industry-Leading Safety Features
Mercedes-Benz prioritizes real-world safety, striving for accident-free driving. The E-Class incorporates a comprehensive suite of over 30 standard and optional active and passive safety systems under the umbrella of Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive. These systems are designed to enhance driver awareness, prevent accidents, and mitigate the consequences of collisions.
The Driver Assistance Package, an available option for the 2014 E-Class sedan, wagon, coupe, and cabriolet, exemplifies this commitment to safety. This package includes:
- DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist: An advanced radar-based cruise control system that not only maintains a set speed and distance to the vehicle ahead but also provides semi-autonomous steering inputs to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane. This system operates across a wide speed range, from 0 to 124 mph, depending on road conditions.
- PRE-SAFE Brake with pedestrian detection: Utilizing radar and stereo cameras, this system detects vehicles and pedestrians in front of the E-Class. It can provide visual and audible warnings, adjust braking assistance, and even apply full emergency braking automatically to prevent or mitigate collisions.
- PRE-SAFE PLUS: This system employs a rear-facing radar to anticipate potential rear-end collisions. If a rear collision is imminent, PRE-SAFE PLUS prepares the vehicle by activating the rear hazard lights with increased frequency to warn following drivers, pre-tensioning seatbelts, and applying the brakes to reduce the jolt from the impact and minimize the risk of secondary accidents.
- BAS PLUS with Cross Traffic Assist: Stereo cameras are used to monitor cross-traffic situations. If cross-traffic is detected, BAS PLUS can provide brake assistance to help the driver avoid collisions when pulling out from junctions or making turns.
- Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Protection: These systems work together to help prevent unintentional lane departures and collisions with vehicles in blind spots. Active Lane Keeping Assist can gently steer the vehicle back into its lane if it detects the vehicle drifting across lane markings. Active Blind Spot Protection warns the driver of vehicles in blind spots and can apply corrective one-sided braking to help prevent lane-change collisions.
E250 BlueTEC: An Accessible Entry Point to the E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC sedan serves as the entry-level model in the E-Class lineup, offering the advanced and fuel-efficient BlueTEC diesel powertrain at a competitive starting price of $51,400 (excluding the $925 destination and delivery charge for 2014 models). This pricing strategy makes the benefits of BlueTEC diesel technology and the luxury of the E-Class more accessible to a wider range of customers.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class portfolio included a diverse range of models and powertrains, catering to various preferences and needs:
- E250 BlueTEC sedan (rear-wheel drive) – $51,400
- E350 sedan (rear-wheel drive) – $51,900
- E350 Coupe (rear-wheel drive) – $52,200
- E250 BlueTEC 4MATIC sedan – $53,900
- E350 4MATIC sedan – $54,400
- E350 4MATIC Coupe – $54,700
- E400 Hybrid sedan (rear-wheel drive) – $56,700
- E350 4MATIC wagon – $58,600
- E550 Coupe (rear-wheel drive) – $59,000
- E350 Cabriolet (rear-wheel drive) – $60,200
- E550 4MATIC sedan – $61,400
- E550 Cabriolet (rear-wheel drive) – $67,300
- E63 AMG 4MATIC sedan – $92,770
- E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC sedan – $99,770
- E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC wagon – $102,370
Beyond the E250 BlueTEC sedan, Mercedes-Benz also offered BlueTEC clean diesel technology in other 2014 U.S. models, including the GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (V6), ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (V6), and GLK250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, expanding the availability of this efficient and clean diesel technology across their SUV lineup. The Mercedes Benz BlueTEC diesel system represents a significant achievement in automotive engineering, providing a powerful combination of fuel efficiency, performance, and reduced emissions, solidifying its position as a gold standard in clean diesel technology.
