Well as it turns out the NOx emissions levels were harder to reach to meet the EPA’s Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions levels. Initially DC thought the DeNOx catalytic system they had devised would be enough, but it fell just short of requirements for 50 state compliance.
With only 45 state compliance DC will miss out on one of the biggest car markets and the one most hungry for diesels, California. Although, I’m sure it won’t be long before we see models with 7500 miles and premium price tag sent over. It looks like MB will have to implement their urea based solution called AdBlue. However, it remains to be seen if the EPA will even certify that as a valid system since enforcement may prove to be difficult to monitor.
Unfortunately Tier 2 Bin 5 requirements state the NOx levels emitted must be .05 grams per million, and the E320 came in at .06g/mi. Maybe they’ll be able to bring it out as a midyear model? Either way I think this is a hit for diesels if MB couldn’t get it to pass.