The E-Class Welcomes a Natural Gas Variant | Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive｜
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition｜
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
Natural Gas E-Class Arrives
When it comes to enhancing environmental performance, Mercedes-Benz, as expected, has a distinct advantage. They have announced a bi-fuel model for the European market that supports energy diversity while utilizing existing technology and infrastructure.E-ClassThe bi-fuel model was unveiled in Europe.
Text by SAKURAI Kenichi
An Environmentally Conscious Model Running on Natural Gas and Gasoline
Mercedes-Benz has announced the "E200 NGD (Natural Gas Drive)" and "E220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition," both equipped with NGL (Natural Gas) compatible engines that run on natural gas in addition to gasoline, developed with the aim of improving environmental performance.
The E200 NGD is priced at €47,808.25 and will go on sale in the European market from December 2013, while the E220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY, priced at €47,272.75, will be available from September 2013.
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
The E200 NGD is based on a 115kW (156ps) direct-injection four-cylinder engine with a maximum torque of 270Nm (27.5kgm), and features the ability to run on both gasoline and environmentally friendly natural gas.
This engine meets EU6 emission standards and offers a top speed of 220 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10.4 seconds. By using natural gas as fuel, it achieves approximately a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to gasoline vehicles. Simultaneously, in the European market, it offers the advantage of reducing fuel costs by about half.
When operating in natural gas mode, the E200 NGD consumes 4.3 kg of natural gas per 100 km.
This translates to an estimated fuel cost saving of approximately €1,000 (about ¥127,000) per year compared to a gasoline car, assuming an annual driving distance of 20,000 km in Germany.
The E200 NGD, equipped with the ECO start/stop function as standard, has a CO2 emission of just 116g/km. Its environmental performance, in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, can be considered top-tier among production vehicles. Furthermore, it achieves cleaner exhaust gases, with significantly reduced emissions of harmful substances compared to gasoline or diesel engines, which is also a noteworthy point.
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive｜
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition｜
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
Natural Gas E-Class Arrives (2)
Exceptional Range
With its standard natural gas tank capacity, the E200 NGD has a range of approximately 400 km. However, when the natural gas runs out, the system seamlessly switches to gasoline, eliminating any concerns about fuel selection or operation. The combined range using both natural gas and gasoline reaches an impressive 1,300 km, contributing to fewer refueling stops.
Of course, separate fuel tanks are provided for each, so refueling is required for both.
However, even if natural gas is not available at the nearest gas station, the car can run on gasoline alone, posing no issues for daily use.
This offers a significant peace of mind compared to EVs, which require constant monitoring of battery levels.
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
For those who wish to run entirely on natural gas, the fuel tank capacity for natural gas can be optionally expanded to a total of 121.5 liters while maintaining a luggage capacity of 400 liters. In this configuration, the driving range extends to an astonishing 1,600 km.
A 2.2-Liter Diesel Engine Model Also Available
The E220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped with a chassis lowered by 15mm and 17-inch wheels as standard, and features a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder diesel engine. It produces a maximum output of 125kW (170ps) and a maximum torque of 400Nm (40.8kgm), paired with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission. This engine boasts excellent environmental performance with a fuel consumption of 4.4 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 114g/km.
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
Both models represent an enhancement and integration of existing technologies. This approach, which avoids the range anxiety of pure EVs and the complex control systems and added weight of hybrid cars, offers a practical solution for the future, especially as the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which are seen as next-generation vehicles, is taking time. It is certainly worthy of attention.
Mercedes-Benz's expertise in enhancing environmental performance by leveraging existing technologies and infrastructure is once again evident.
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive｜
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Natural Gas Drive
Body Dimensions｜Length 4,879 × Width 1,854 × Height 1,474 mm
Wheelbase｜2,874 mm
Tread Front/Rear｜1,598 / 1,614 mm
Engine｜Bi-fuel compatible inline 4-cylinder engine
Maximum Output｜115kW (156ps)
Maximum Torque｜270Nm (27.5kgm)
Transmission｜7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
Drivetrain｜FR
Top Speed｜220 km/h
0-100km/h Acceleration｜10.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption (NEDC)｜4.3kg/100km (when using natural gas)
CO2 Emissions｜116 g/km (when using natural gas)
Fuel Consumption (NEDC)｜6.3kg/100km (when using gasoline)
CO2 Emissions｜147 g/km (when using gasoline)
Price｜€47,272.75
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition｜
Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
Body Dimensions｜Length 4,879 × Width 1,854 × Height 1,474 mm
Wheelbase｜2,874 mm
Tread Front/Rear｜1,598 / 1,614 mm
Minimum Turning Radius｜5.6 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA)｜540 liters
Weight｜1,795 kg
Engine｜2,143cc inline 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Maximum Output｜125kW (170ps) / 3,000-4,200 rpm
Maximum Torque｜400 Nm (40.8kgm) / 1,400-2,800 rpm
Transmission｜7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
Drivetrain｜FR
Top Speed｜227 km/h
0-100km/h Acceleration｜8.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption (NEDC)｜4.4ℓ/100km
CO2 Emissions｜114 g/km
(Specifications are European reference values)