Daimler has revealed that it has plans to spend US$2.9bn by 2019 on a new family of clean diesel engines that will help it to meet strict new emissions standards.
The program has already been in place for four years, and the first engine to emerge from the initiative onto the market will be used in the next E-Class, which is due on sale in April.
According to the German OEM, the new four-cylinder engine shows an 80% reduction in NOx emissions and a 13% improvement in fuel economy and CO2 figures, thanks to lighter, more compact designs.
“This new engine will define our diesel strategy for the next 10 years,” said Bernhard Heil, Daimler’s head of powertrain development. “We believe it’ll convince the public we’ll have a bright future for diesel.”
The German manufacturer says that part of the new philosophy will involve using SCR systems with adblue technology on smaller front-wheel-drive cars by 2019, replacing current NOx trap exhaust systems.
“Spending on the improvement of existing diesel engines brings a much greater cost-benefit efficiency than spending on electrification,” continued Heil. “That said, electrification is key to our powertrain strategy, despite the cost.”
February 17, 2016