It looks like Mercedes Benz has cleaned up it’s diesel even more and is set to bring out the 50 state version of it’s long awaited E320 in 2008.  The 45 state version shold be coming out next month.

If you don’t remember, this is the 208hp 35mpg luxury cruiser with all the torque you need to pass anyone on the freeway, 398ft-lbs. to be exact.  And now:

An even cleaner version of Bluetec technology is due in 2008. That uses urea-based additives to cut nitrogen oxide emissions and thus meet clean air rules in all 50 U.S. states.

This is great news!  Now even our friends in California and other emissionly challenged states can share the wealth.  And, it will even be offered in the R-, ML-, and GL-Class Benzs.  Now if we can just get the Citroen and Alpina BMW over here.

Reuters

Delphi’s new Ammonia Sensor

Delphi’s Ammonia sensor system measures ammonia levels in the exhaust gas of diesel vehicles equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system. The sensor output can be used to provide feedback to the SCR system helping optimize reduction of NOx emissions.

This allows for a precise dosing of urea while reducing the amount of ammonia released into the environment.

The sensor helps to improve the performance of the SCR converter, which provides for a cost effective way to meet stringent NOx emissions regulations. It can be used in light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Another stride forward in clean running diesels, and another manufacturer getting more into diesel technology development.
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At the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Citroen will unveil their new C-Metisse concept.  It has a diesel electric hybrid powertrain consisting of one V6 diesel that generates 201hp and 295ft-lbs torque, and two 15kW electric motors all going to the rear wheels.  Each engine produces 295ft-lbs of torque to give it a 0-62mph time of just 6.2 seconds and top speed of 155mph!

The C-Metisse has the combined fuel consumption of 36mpg with CO2 emmisions of only 174g/km, and has been designed to cut through the wind with a drag coefficient of only 0.30.  The C-Matisse achieves this low drag by incorporating a flat underside, large air intakes in the front, two retractable rear airoils, and a fixed fin spoiler in the rear.  All this is built into a carbon body and carbon trellis for the engine and wheels, and weights just 3086 pounds with the batteries.