It’s the sort of underground, skunkworks project that engineers dream of: Mercedes-Benz decided to shoehorn a modern OM651 diesel powertrain under the hood of its pre-C-Class 190-series to create a modern-vintage hybrid. Putting out 204 horsepower – more than double the original 94 ponies – the new engine’s real asset is its torque, which at 368 lb-ft., is more than double what the highest-performance limited-run 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II cranked out.
Though not intended for production, or likely even availability as a crate powertrain, the program answered Mercedes-Benz’s question: “How might one make this progress [in diesel technology] directly tangible, in isolation from the equally profound changes in the safety and comfort of the car as a whole?”
The vintage Mercedes with a modern heart is capable of sprinting to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds, a fair clip faster than the 11.9 of the 190D, yet it also consumes far less fuel. The new powertrain helps the car cut its fuel consumption to 48 mpg, rather than the roughly 32 mpg of the original diesel – which, at the time, was commended for its performance, refinement and efficiency.
Despite weighing less than the current C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, from which the engine was cribbed, the 190D isn’t quite as efficient overall. The C250 boasts a far more impressive coefficient of drag, at just 0.27, while the 190D – which again was lauded for its aerodynamic shape – is rated at a Cd of 0.34.
We’re hoping to see the 190D BlueEFFICIENCY at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
