The E250 BlueTEC concept, which made its debut today at the New York Auto Show, previews a production E-Class diesel with the technology. Currently, the concept uses a combination of a 2.2L four-cylinder diesel engine, as well as a two-stage turbocharging system and direct-injection technology.
To manage all this, an electronic engine control system reacts precisely across the full range of operating conditions to optimize the combustion process. This includes an exhaust gas treatment system that incorporates an oxidation catalytic converter mounted close to the engine, as well as a diesel particulate filter at the rear.
At the heart of the BlueTEC system are two SCR catalytic converters (Selective Catalytic Reduction) with an “AdBlue” injector positioned upstream. AdBlue is a synthetic, aqueous urea solution that enables the nitrogen oxide emissions to be converted into harmless nitrogen gas in the SCR catalytic converters, thereby reducing emissions greatly.
In fact, the BlueTEC system works so well that its technology will allow Mercedes Benz vehicles to meet global emissions regulations that are not being implemented until 2014. Autumn of 2009 should see the release of the E350 BlueTEC in Europe, and with its V6 diesel engine featuring over 211hp (155kW) and 369lb-ft (540Nm) of torque it should prove to be popular. No U.S. release has been announced but given the unveiling of the latest E250 BlueTEC concept on American soil it will only be a matter of time.
