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15/09/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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It is now passe to use the terms luxury and diesel in the one sentence. Time has moved on, diesel engine technology has outstripped, at least for the time being, its petrol cousin, and oil burners with the latest common-rail injection systems are, well, common.
 When Mercedes-Benz releases a diesel variant in its top of the range luxury S-Class in Australia, you know the diesel engine has arrived. While the S320 CDI had been available overseas for some time, it is new in this country. The S320 CDI is German luxury at its best, it is also, in the context of other luxury vehicles, affordable luxury.
Prices start from $198,810 which means it’s also beyond the budget of your average punter. But it is at the same price as its sibling S350 V6 petrol S-Class. For once buyers do not pay a premium for the privilege of owning a fuel-frugal diesel, although many would argue they are paying too much at the bowser for diesel.
The new Mercedes S320 CDI has the fully optimised version of the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, found in several other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This engine has an output of 173 kW, up 15 per cent on the standard version of the engine, more significantly torque is up eight per cent, from 500 Nm to 540 Nm. That’s 10 Nm more than the V8 powered petrol S500.
All this grunt hits the CDI’s wheels from a low 1600 rpm to 2800 rpm, running through Mercedes’ super-smooth, seven-speed 7G-Tronic transmission. It has absolutely no trouble in propelling this five-metres-plus lump of luxury to 100 km/h in just a lick more than eight seconds. That's right on the money with the S350 petrol V6, so there's no performance penalty in opting for the diesel.
The other diesel issue, noise, is also a non-event. Inside the cabin, under full pelt, the engine sounds more like a purposeful straight-six petrol engine than a diesel. Outside, and at idle, it is all-but impossible to detect any diesel rattle from the big Merc. Luxury car buyers, are not the types to want to advertise that they're driving a diesel powered car, so silence is golden.
To keep the engine’s weight to a minimum Mercedes-Benz developed an aluminium crankcase with cast-in gray iron cylinder liners. The engine weighs just 208 kg and contributes to the car's finesse when it comes to agility and handling.
This engine is the third-generation common-rail direct injection unit, the technology that has lead to quieter, more efficient and therefore cleaner diesels. The previous solenoid valves in the injectors have been replaced by piezo-ceramics that emit an extremely fine jet of fuel and are lighter and operate at twice the speed of solenoid valves.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class CDI will typically consume eight litres per hundred kilometres on the motorway, even less if you put your mind to it. On country roads consumption should still remain under nine litres per hundred, around town 10 to 11 litres will be the norm. Excellent figures for a large luxurious German machine.
The S-Class is all about comfort and driver enjoyment. What we really liked was the simplicity of the ergonomics and controls. You don't get a second chance at a first impression and the S-Class is impressive the minute you get into the driver’s seat. The power seat controls are located on the door, the handbrake is a simple push-pull affair, the steering column mounted auto gear shifter is a simple up for Reverse, down for Drive and push for P for Park.
Many controls are accessed through a user-friendly, single knob on the centre console. We really liked the audio controls with the ability to change stations and control volume without your eyes leaving the road.
There's nothing entry level about the S320 CDI equipment inclusions, which is the same as the S350 and features full leather upholstery, six disc DVD/ CD changer, MP 3 compatibility, telephone operation, TV tuner, Aux-in input and Linguatronic voice activation system.
We like the lovely olde-world touch of an analogue clock situated neatly into the centre of the dash.
The front seats feature heating and ventilation while the multi-function steering wheel and display has controls for audio, trip computer, vehicle settings and steering-wheel positions.
So where is this vehicle flawed? We searched for a week and did not find its weak point. In overall terms, build quality, value, style, comfort, green points, and performance, this is simply one of the finest marques in the world.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE (ALL S-CLASS MODELS)
S320 CDI 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan - $198,810
S350 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan - $198,810
S350 L 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan - $215,759
S500 5.5-litre petrol four-door sedan - $272,005
S500 L 5.5-litre petrol four-door sedan - $288,953
S63 AMG 6.2-litre petrol four-door sedan - $368,398
S600 L 5.5-litre petrol four-door sedan - $385,346
S65 L AMG 6.0-litre petrol four-door sedan - $474,324
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.987 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.7:1
Bore/Stroke: 83.0 mm x 92.0 mm
Maximum Power: 173 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 540 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Seven-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 2.65:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5076 mm
Wheelbase: 3035 mm
Width: 1871 mm
Height: 1473 mm
Turning Circle: 11.8 metres
Kerb Mass: 1955 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 101 litres
Towing Ability: N/A
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Four-link, air suspension with level control, torsion bar stabiliser
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, air suspension with level control, torsion bar stabiliser
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.8 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 8.3 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6.0/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5.0/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km |
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