OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 22, 2009
BlueEFFICIENCY: Tyres, pumps and louvres - Practical solutions for reducing CO2 emissions
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Aerodynamics: world-best cd figure for series-production cars
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Energy management: on-demand control of the ancillary components
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Tyres: rolling resistance reduced by up to 17 percent
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Alternator control: recuperation of braking energy
BlueEFFICIENCY - the trademark for exceptionally economical and ecofriendly Mercedes passenger cars - is a package of measures compiled by development engineers across all disciplines, the main aims being to reduce weight, aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance, to further optimise the engine technology, and to make energy management even more efficient.
Mercedes-Benz's commitment to reducing fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions targets actual driver usage profiles. As part of a large-scale field trial, the typical driving profiles of Mercedes customers were ascertained and combined in an in-house fuel-consumption test covering a total of almost two million kilometres. Hence the positive effects of the BlueEFFICIENCY concept are most noticeable during everyday use of the cars.
For the new E-Class Coup�, Mercedes-Benz has developed an extensive raft of measures, which is one of the key factors behind the reduction in fuel consumption. From the power steering to the tyres, from the fuel pump to the alternator, the development engineers scrutinised a wide range of components to determine if and how lightweight designs, new forms, more efficient control or enhanced functioning could be employed to save fuel. Although many of the individual measures only improved fuel economy by the odd percentage point or two, together they add up to a substantial saving.
Fan shutter adapts the flow of air through the engine compartment in line with the current driving situation
By performing complex computer calculations and meticulous work in the wind tunnel, the Mercedes engineers have succeeded in aerodynamically optimising the body of the new E-Class, achieving an impressive overall result: with a cd figure as low as 0.24 (depending on model version), the E-Class Coup� is the world's most aerodynamic series-production car.
One of the main reasons behind the reduction in wind resistance is the new,
electropneumatically controlled fan shutter. Its development is based on the knowledge that the air flowing through the radiator and the engine compartment accounts for up to ten percent of a car body's total aerodynamic drag. The fan shutter allows the engine's cooling air quantity to be limited in line with requirements, thus saving fuel. In essence, this means that, when the engine is running under part load and requires relatively little cooling, the radiator grille is closed by a circular system of louvres located behind the radiator. For minimum cooling, the shutter allows just a small amount of residual air to enter the engine compartment, but opens completely when the sensors signal that more cooling air is required.
The fact that the area around the radiator is hermetically sealed ensures that the fan shutter works extremely effectively, allowing precise control of the air flowing into the engine compartment. When the fan shutter is closed, the cd figure falls by 0.013, which is equivalent to a fuel saving of up to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres when travelling at the motorway speed of 130 km/h. The fan shutter is fitted as standard on the four-cylinder models and on the E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Coup� model.
Energy management: intelligent detail solutions beneath the bonnet
The most important aspect when trying to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions is to avoid unnecessary energy losses - both internal losses caused by friction in the powertrain and losses due to drag and rolling resistance.
By way of example, the use of a turbocharger in place of the previous mechanical supercharger in the new models with direct petrol injection allows even more efficient energy management, since the mechanical drive power from the belt drive required to operate the supercharger is no longer needed. The biggest plus point in favour of the new four-cylinder engines is the homogeneously operated direct injection system, which brings about a major increase in thermodynamic efficiency compared to the previous port injection system. The fuel vaporising in the cylinders lowers the temperature in the combustion chambers, thereby reducing the engine's tendency to knock and allowing higher compression.
The engine developers have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption further still by incorporating an intelligent thermal management system which prevents coolant from being pumped through the cylinders when the engine is cold, meaning that the combustion chambers can heat up more quickly.
Another aspect of the BlueEFFICIENCY concept involved optimising the automatic transmissions: the newly developed converter for the five-speed automatic transmission reduces hydraulic losses and, therefore, uses up less fuel. For the seven-speed automatic transmission in the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coup�, Mercedes-Benz has developed a decoupling device which is activated when the car is stationary: at traffic lights or in traffic jams, the transmission switches to "N" position so as to reduce the engine load.
The standard-fit power steering system is based on an intelligent solution designed to prevent energy losses and, therefore, cut fuel consumption. Unlike conventional steering systems, in which the power steering pumps operate at full power on a permanent basis, the power steering pump in the new Coup� features an additional valve for on-demand control. This means that, when the driver does not require steering assistance, an electronic control unit minimises the operating power of the power steering pump. The advantage of this system is that less energy from the engine is required to drive the pump.
The delivery rate of the power steering pump is increased again spontaneously when the driver moves the steering wheel. In this instance too, the system operates on-demand, adjusting itself in line with the current steering speed and vehicle speed.
In order to ensure on-demand energy management, Mercedes-Benz is using controlled fuel pumps in all petrol and diesel engines for the new E-Class Coup� from market launch onwards. In this setup, the engine control unit only calls for the maximum pump output during full-load operation. In all other driving situations, the pump adapts the delivery volume and pressure in line with the current driving situation, resulting in fuel saving of 0.15 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC).
The tyres also help to minimise fuel consumption. The E-Class is fitted with newly developed tyres whose rolling resistance has been reduced by up to 17 percent without impairing their outstanding handling and braking characteristics.
Alternator: power from braking energy
Each time the car is braked, kinetic energy is converted into heat and therefore goes to waste. This is why the new E-Class Coup� incorporates efficient alternator management. This means that, whenever the engine is coasting and whenever the vehicle is braked, the voltage level in the vehicle electrical system is increased and the battery is charged. This increased alternator load assists the driver with braking and also helps to recuperate part of the braking energy, which is converted into electrical energy. This is why experts refer to recuperation. Conversely, the alternator switches to no-load operation in certain situations - for example when accelerating or when the battery charge level is high - thus relieving the strain on the drive system. This process saves fuel to the tune of around 0.1 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC) and up to 0.2 litres per 100 kilo-metres when in city traffic, where coasting and braking are more frequent than in the NEDC test cycle.
Cockpit information: current fuel consumption displayed
Drivers can also help to save fuel, aided in the new E-Class by a display in the centre of the speedometer, which indicates the current fuel consumption - converted into litres per 100 kilometres. Drivers are therefore able to check whether their driving style is fuel-efficient and, consequently, environmentally friendly. In addition to showing this information, the display also advises the driver when to change up a gear (manual models).
Mercedes-Benz "ECO driver training" courses have shown that adopting an
economical and energy-efficient driving style alone can cut fuel consumption by up to 15 percent on average.
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