The diesel engine, since its inception by Rudolf Diesel in 1893, has revolutionized the automotive world. Among manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz stands out as a pivotal force in shaping the modern diesel engine, particularly for passenger vehicles. Today’s Diesel Mercedes engines are renowned for their cleanliness, smooth operation, and exceptional fuel efficiency. In Europe, diesel powers a significant portion of passenger cars, and it’s estimated that even a fraction of American vehicles adopting diesel could drastically reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Alt text: Classic 1936 Mercedes-Benz 260 D sedan showcasing the pioneering diesel passenger car design.
Following the 1926 merger of Daimler and Benz, Daimler-Benz AG embarked on diesel development with a six-cylinder inline engine for heavy-duty trucks. This marked the beginning of Mercedes-Benz’s long-lasting impact on automotive diesel technology. However, perfecting a diesel engine suitable for the refined standards of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car took nearly a decade of rigorous testing and development. The breakthrough arrived in 1936 with the Mercedes-Benz 260D. This model featured a 2.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, incorporating overhead valves and producing a maximum of 45 horsepower. Remarkably, the 260D achieved almost 25 miles per gallon, a truly impressive figure compared to its gasoline counterpart which only managed 18 mpg. This fuel efficiency cemented the early appeal of diesel Mercedes vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz diesel power যাত্রা into the U.S. market began in 1949 with the 170D. This model featured a 1.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 38 horsepower and 71 lb-ft of torque. Its successor, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 180D, offered slightly improved performance with 40 hp and 75 lb-ft of torque and introduced the innovative “Ponton” unibody construction. In 1958, the Mercedes-Benz 190D arrived in the U.S., boasting a new 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine producing 50 hp and 80 lb-ft of torque.
Alt text: Front view of a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 180 D ‘Ponton’ sedan, highlighting its groundbreaking unibody design and diesel engine.
The 1966 model year saw the 190D “Fintail” rebranded as the 200D, now delivering 55 hp and 87 lb-ft of torque. A significant milestone was reached when Mercedes-Benz offered an automatic transmission for a diesel passenger car for the first time in the 200D. The evolution continued with the 2.2-liter 220D in 1968 (60 hp, 93 lb-ft) and the 2.4-liter 240D in 1974 (65 hp, 101 lb-ft), each step enhancing the power and refinement of diesel Mercedes.
Diesel Mercedes Proliferation in the 1970s
The 1973 oil crisis dramatically shifted consumer focus towards fuel efficiency, causing diesel demand to surge. Mercedes-Benz, as a leader in diesel technology, expanded its offerings with the 1975 Mercedes-Benz 300D. This model was equipped with the world’s first five-cylinder diesel engine, producing 80 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. The 300D and the four-cylinder 240D became mainstays, with the 300D’s power later increased to 88 hp in subsequent iterations.
The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a boom period for diesel Mercedes sales, particularly in the U.S. market. Unique U.S.-specific models emerged, including the 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300CD, the world’s first diesel-powered coupe, and the 300SD, the first diesel S-Class. The 300SD was particularly noteworthy for introducing turbocharging to the diesel Mercedes lineup with a brand-new 3.0-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel engine. This turbocharged engine boosted performance to 121 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in a respectable 14 seconds, demonstrating that diesel Mercedes could offer both efficiency and performance.
Alt text: Side profile of the 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Coupe, the world’s first diesel coupe, showcasing its elegant design and efficient diesel power.
With models like the 300CD Turbodiesel, 300D Turbodiesel, and 300SD Turbodiesel tailored for the U.S. market, Mercedes-Benz demonstrated a strong commitment to American diesel consumers. By 1982, almost 80% of Mercedes-Benz USA sales were diesel models, highlighting the immense popularity of diesel Mercedes in the United States.
The 1984 model year saw the expansion of the diesel Mercedes range to include the “Baby Benz,” the precursor to the C-Class. Initially offered with a four-cylinder engine, the 190D (73 hp, 96 lb-ft) was later upgraded in 1986 with a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine (90 hp, 114 lb-ft). A turbocharged version joined the lineup in 1987, delivering 122 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, further solidifying the appeal of compact diesel Mercedes sedans.
1986 also marked the introduction of another U.S.-exclusive S-Class diesel, the 300SDL (150 hp, 201 lb-ft). This model featured a larger inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine. The subsequent 1990 Mercedes-Benz 350SDL (136 hp, 229 lb-ft), also specifically designed for the U.S. export market, came equipped with a 3.5-liter inline six turbodiesel. In the full-size sedan category, the 300D 2.5-liter turbo was succeeded by the E300D in 1995 and then the E300DT, boasting a powerful 174 hp and 244 ft-lb of torque, showing the continuous power improvements in diesel Mercedes engines.
Diesel Mercedes station wagons also carved a significant niche in the 1980s. The 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300TD, featuring a 3.0-liter inline five naturally aspirated engine, was the first to make a mark. A turbocharged version followed in 1981 and was carried over to the next generation, demonstrating the versatility of diesel Mercedes across body styles.
The Modern Diesel Mercedes Era
For the 2007 model year, Mercedes-Benz transitioned from its successful inline six diesel configuration to a V6 layout. This change coincided with the introduction of common-rail direct injection technology in the U.S., operating at an impressive 29,000 psi. This CDI engine technology also paved the way for the first diesel-powered SUVs in the U.S., including the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI, GL320 CDI, and R320 CDI, all delivering 215 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. These models expanded the appeal of diesel Mercedes to the growing SUV market.
Alt text: Front angle view of a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC Sedan, highlighting its advanced BlueTEC diesel technology and clean emissions.
The 2007 model year also marked another pioneering step in diesel technology for Mercedes-Benz with the global premiere of its BlueTEC diesel technology in the U.S. The Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC (210 hp, 398 lb-ft) was recognized as the 2007 World Green Car for its remarkably low emissions. It met the stringent BIN5 standards for NOx and particulate emissions, reaffirming Mercedes-Benz’s position as the leading brand for diesel passenger vehicles across all fifty states. BlueTEC technology became synonymous with clean diesel Mercedes performance.
A wave of BlueTEC SUVs followed in 2009, all equipped with the next generation of BlueTEC technology featuring AdBlue exhaust gas aftertreatment. The ML320 BlueTEC, GL320 BlueTEC, and R320 BlueTEC shared the same V6 turbodiesel engine as the E320 BlueTEC, producing 210 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The popular ML320 BlueTEC achieved a combined fuel consumption of 20 mpg, while the GL320 BlueTEC reached 19 mpg, making it the most fuel-efficient full-size SUV in the market at the time. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles returned to the U.S. with the introduction of the BlueTEC-equipped Sprinter Van, further expanding the reach of diesel Mercedes technology.
The launch of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTEC 4MATIC marked the return of a four-cylinder diesel Mercedes to the U.S. market after nearly three decades. Mercedes-Benz already boasted the most comprehensive diesel lineup among automakers in the U.S., and the arrival of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC with its second four-cylinder diesel further solidified this position.
2014 BlueTEC Lineup
- E250 BlueTEC
- E250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
- GLK250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
- ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
- GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
- Sprinter Van
- Sprinter V6 Van
Mercedes-Benz U.S. Diesel Model Sales History
| Model Year | Model | Generation | Configuration | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 – 1953 | 170D | W136 | 1.7L I4 | 38 / 40 | 71 / 74 |
| 1952 – 1953 | 170DS | W191 | 1.7L I4 | 40 | 74 |
| 1953 – 1955 | 170SD | W136 | 1.7L I4 | 40 | 74 |
| 1954 – 1962 | 180D | W120 | 1.8L I4 / 2.0L I4 | 40 / 43 / 48 | 75 / 80 |
| 1958 – 1961 | 190D | W121 | 1.9L I4 | 50 | 80 |
| 1966 – 1968 | 200D | W110 | 2.0L I4 | 55 | 87 |
| 1968 – 1973 | 220D | W110 | 2.2L I4 | 60 | 87 |
| 1974 – 1976 | 240D | W115 | 2.4L I4 | 65 | 101 |
| 1975 – 1976 | 300D | W115 | 3.0L I5 (First 5-cylinder) | 80 | 127 |
| 1977 – 1984 | 240D | W123 | 2.4L I4 | 65 / 72 | 101 |
| 1977 – 1981 | 300D | W123 | 3.0L I5 | 80 / 88 | 126 |
| 1978 – 1980 | 300SD (U.S. Only) | W116 | 3.0L I5 turbo (First turbo) | 111 / 121 | 168 / 170 |
| 1978 – 1981 | 300CD (U.S. Only) | C123 | 3.0L I5 | 78 / 84 | 115 / 120 |
| 1980 – 1985 | 300TD Wagon | S123 | 3.0L I5 | 80 / 88 | 126 |
| 1981 – 1985 | 300SD-T (U.S. Only) | W126 | 3.0L I5 turbo | 121 / 125 | 170 / 184 |
| 1982 – 1985 | 300CD-T | C123 | 3.0L I5 turbo | 120 | 170 |
| 1982 – 1985 | 300DT | W123 | 3.0L I5 turbo | 121 / 125 | 170 / 184 |
| 1984 – 1985 | 190D 2.2 | W201 | 2.2L I4 | 73 | 96 |
| 1986 – 1987 | 300SDL-T (U.S. Only) | W126 | 3.0L I6 turbo | 150 | 201 |
| 1986 – 1989 | 190D 2.5 | W201 | 2.5L I5 | 90 | 114 |
| 1986 – 1987 | 300DT | W124 | 3.0L I6 turbo | 143 | 197 |
| 1986 – 1987 | 300DT Wagon | S124 | 3.0L I6 turbo | 143 | 197 |
| 1987 – 1987 | 190D 2.5T | W201 | 3.0L I6 turbo | 122 | 166 |
| 1991 – 1993 | 300D 2.5 | W124 | 2.5L I5 turbo | 121 | 165 |
| 1991 – 1991 | 350SDL-T (U.S. Only) | W126 | 3.5L I6 turbo | 148 | 229 |
| 1991 – 1991 | 350SD-T (U.S. Only) | W126 | 3.5L I6 turbo | 134 | 229 |
| 1992 – 1995 | 300SD / S350DT | W140 | 3.5L I6 turbo | 148 | 229 |
| 1994 – 1995 | E300D | W124 | 3.0L I6 (First 4-valve) | 134 | 155 |
| 1996 – 1997 | E300D | W210 | 3.0L I6 | 134 | 155 |
| 1998 – 1999 | E300DT | W210 | 3.0L I6 turbo | 174 | 244 |
| 2005 – 2006 | E320 CDI | W211 | 3.2L I6 turbo | 201 | 369 |
| 2007 – 2008 | ML320 CDI | W164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 215 | 398 |
| 2007 – 2008 | GL320 CDI | X164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 215 | 398 |
| 2007 – 2008 | R320 CDI | V251 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 215 | 398 |
| 2007 – 2009 | E320 BlueTEC | W211 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 398 |
| 2009 – 2009 | ML320 BlueTEC | W164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 398 |
| 2009 – 2009 | 2009 GL320 BlueTEC | X164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 398 |
| 2009 – 2009 | R320 BlueTEC | V251 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 398 |
| 2010 – Pres. | Sprinter V6 | NCV3 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 188 | 325 |
| 2010 – 2011 | ML350 BlueTEC | W164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 400 |
| 2010 – 2012 | GL350 BlueTEC | X164 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 400 |
| 2010 – 2012 | R350 BlueTEC | V251 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 400 |
| 2011 – 2013 | E350 BlueTEC | W212 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 210 | 400 |
| 2012 – 2013 | S350 BlueTEC | V221 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 240 | 455 |
| 2012 – Pres. | ML350 BlueTEC | W166 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 240 | 455 |
| 2013 – Pres. | GL350 BlueTEC | X166 | 3.0L V6 turbo | 240 | 455 |
| 2013 – Pres. | GLK250 BlueTEC | X204 | 2.1L I4 turbo | 200 | 369 |
| 2014 – Pres. | E250 BlueTEC | W212 | 2.1L I4 turbo | 195 | 369 |
| 2014 – Pres. | E250 BlueTEC 4MATIC | W212 | 2.1L I4 turbo | 195 | 369 |
| 2014 – Pres. | Sprinter | NCV3 | 2.1L I4 turbo | 161 | 265 |
