German manufacturers made considerable efficiency gains in the late naughties. BlueMotion from VW and EfficientDynamics from BMW were the two most talked-about concepts at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Talk in the media was about a new generation of automobiles that would assist to alleviate the fossil fuel issue and reduce climate change.
As a result, Mercedes’ BlueEFFICIENCY idea was born in this context. The carmaker has long been at the cutting edge of automobile technology. Then, when “being green” became trendy, it jumped on the bandwagon.
What Is Blue Efficiency?
Trademark BlueEFFICIENCY is Mercedes’ most environmentally friendly and cost-effective passenger vehicles. In order to further improve the engine’s efficiency and minimize rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag, a number of steps are being taken. Engineers from a variety of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and chemical, worked tirelessly to improve the fuel efficiency of the automaker’s cars.
By contrast, Mercedes made an effort to install technologies that would function in accordance with the real driving habits of its customers. During in-house testing, engineers drove more than two million kilometers to assess how variations of its efficiency enhancements would perform in the real world on the road. A new era of economy at Mercedes was ushering in with the introduction of a new E-Class package that promised to lower fuel consumption by an incredible 23%.
Rival technologies like VW’s Bluemotion and BMW’s EfficientDynamics are comparable to BlueEFFICIENCY. It’s a catch-all name for a slew of efficiency-related improvements, just like them. While none of them stand out on their own, when combined, they create something really extraordinary.
BlueEFFICIENCY is a platform for increasing productivity in a variety of settings.
Among them are:
Achieve a reduction in air resistance
Mercedes engineers were astounded to discover that at 80 km/h, more than 50% of the drag forces operating on their automobiles came from aerodynamic resistance. As a result, they set out to minimize this number by altering the chassis of different cars in the company’s portfolio.
They determined that the fan shutter, which accounts for 10% of the vehicle’s total drag, was at the heart of the problem. The shutter is often a stationary mechanism that opens up the front portion of the engine bay, allowing cold air to flow into the radiator and cool it down. Mercedes engineers questioned whether an electro-pneumatic management system might boost efficiency by opening and closing it based on temperature. This would minimize drag when the motor needed less cooling and raise it otherwise.
Mercedes was able to save 0.2 liters per 100 kilometers for a car traveling at 130 km/h after installing all the required sensors and servos to regulate the fan shutter movement.
Engine Control
Mercedes also considered the possibility that it may enhance fuel economy by tinkering with the engine control systems of its vehicles. It used a variety of techniques, including:
- Replace obsolete mechanical superchargers with direct-piston injection turbochargers to increase port injection thermodynamic efficiency
- In order to reduce the time it takes for the engine to warm up to appropriate temperature levels, a sophisticated thermal management system is used.
- Hydraulic losses will be reduced by installing a new converter in five-speed automatic gearboxes.
- Reducing engine load by shifting the gearbox to neutral while the vehicle is stopped.
- Changing the power steering pumps to be on-demand instead of constantly on
- Disconnecting the air conditioning pump from the engine’s drive system when it isn’t being used
- Limiting the maximum power of the fuel pump to only be utilized when the engine is running at full capacity
Despite their sophisticated sounding names, many of these engine management upgrades were little more than just old-fashioned common sense. Power steering and air conditioning are two examples of devices that should not be left on while not in use. That was fixed by BlueEFFICIENCY.
Recuperation of Energy
Furthermore, Mercedes realized that there were additional methods it might use to boost the performance of its automobiles. There were several ideas, but among them was energy recovery, the process of using the car’s forward motion as a source of power.
In order to slow down, cars use friction between the rotors and brake pads to convert kinetic energy to thermal energy. It was discovered by Mercedes experts that the alternator might produce more power for the battery by increasing the kinetic energy. The engine would therefore be put under less stress, or the additional power may even drive the wheels directly.
Mercedes calculated that the adjustment saved its drivers 0.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers on the highway and 0.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in ordinary city traffic..
Lightweighting
As a result, Mercedes sought to lower the weight of their cars without sacrificing performance, cost, or usefulness. A new laminated-glass windshield was thus built utilizing Maybach premium automobile technology by engineers. The organization was able to save 1.2 kg by making this simple adjustment.
Computer modeling and new materials were used to help Mercedes lower the weight of their car insulation. Engineers were able to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle by 20% by using advanced modeling to analyze how sound waves interacted with the sound-proofing resin.
Even though forged wheels are more expensive, Mercedes has begun using them on a greater number of its models because of the weight savings they provide over standard alloys. Each wheel saved an additional 1.8 kg, bringing the total weight reduction to roughly 7.4 kg.
Start/Stop ECO Mode
For the first time, Mercedes has incorporated a start/stop capability for its cars, beginning with the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY. As a result, engineers designed the automobile such that direct fuel injection would halt and then resume when drivers placed the car back in drive and remove the clutch.
Through the use of direct-start technology, the car was able to restart its ignition more swiftly and quietly than before.
Mercedes also added some features that were similar to those of its competitors, such as tires with low rolling resistance and displays in the cockpit that can be dimmed. For example, it collaborated with Michelin to create tires with low rolling resistance coefficients that were both light and strong. Additionally, it took initiative by placing its ECO driver’s education programs under the BlueEFFICIENCY wing.
Models of BlueEFFICIENCY
Because BlueEFFICIENCY has been around for such a long period, many pre-owned vehicles have some kind of the technology installed. There was a major facelift for all three models when the technology initially came out. With the addition of a 2.2-liter engine rated at 55.4 mpg, the C200 CDI was given the complete treatment. Owners of these cars were able to escape higher road tax categories, notably in the United Kingdom, because to these advances.
Why is BlueEFFICIENCY’s technology superior than those of other manufacturers?
VW’s BlueMotion and BMW’s Dynamic Efficiency are also comparable in concept to BlueEFFICIENCY. As a collective brand, each one of them claims to represent vehicles with the highest fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions on the market.
BlueEFFICIENCY, on the other hand, has a few advantages over its competitors that make it marginally superior.
For instance, consider BlueMotion. To improve aerodynamics, VW offered its cars longer shift times. Instead of going to the extremities that Mercedes experts did, tampering with almost all the subsystems of their car, they focused on reducing fuel use. Similar to Mercedes’ 23 percent increase in economy, BMW likewise added several elements to boost efficiency via technology alone, although it was nowhere near as effective as Mercedes. Instead, it focused on modifying the driving techniques of its employees in order to achieve its most ambitious efficiency promises.
When comparing Mercedes BlueEFFICIENCY with BlueTEC, what should you look for differences between the two?
Consumers are meant to be able to distinguish between distinct items and technology thanks to the use of brand names. While BlueTEC and BlueEFFICIENCY are two distinct terms, customers have been unable to tell them apart from the beginning.
Merc Engines that utilise Mercedes’ sophisticated NOx-reduction technology are referred to as BlueTEC. Particulate filters and selective catalytic converters minimize pollutants in vehicles that have this equipment installed.
In 2006, the year Volkswagen unveiled its first real BlueMotion Polo, Mercedes rolled out the new technology on its Benz E-Class and GL-Class. Mercedes was able to make Ward’s Ten Best Engines lists in 2007 and 2008 with the use of this technology.
Interestingly, Mercedes made the move to implement the technology in response to improved efficiency in current diesel engines. In several situations, the higher temperature air-fuel combinations created more NOx than statutory standards when the corporation switched from Otto to Diesel cycles. As a result, the development of this new technology was a response to the need to manufacture engines that are more fuel-efficient while also reducing the amount of pollution they generate.
The process that BlueTEC employs is convoluted, requiring several stages to complete.
Here’s how it works:
- Secondary chemicals are formed when hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from the engine are reacted with the catalyst.
- Starting with the removal of nitrogen oxides, a NOx absorber commences.
- When the filter becomes full, the soot is ready to be burned away. Particulate filters prevent this from happening.
- Remaining NOx molecules are converted into safe nitrogen and water by a selective catalytic converter.
- As a result, BlueTEC is similar to BlueEFFICIENCY in that it consists of a variety of technologies. BlueTEC, on the other hand, refers only to technologies that better emissions and minimize the amount of poisonous gases that escape the exhaust. It doesn’t relate to other vehicle features that save energy or gasoline.
Several Advantages of Using BlueEFFICIENCY
New Mercedes automobiles no longer have the BlueEFFICIENCY logo. These technologies are now included into the company’s normal technological stack. Used automobile purchasers, though, ought to be intrigued by the idea. It’s possible to get high-tech autos for modest costs on occasion.
Here are a few of the advantages you may look forward to:
Reduced Fuel Usage
As a reaction to BMW’s first-to-market EfficiencyDynamics brand of efficiency-enhancing technology, Mercedes developed BlueEfficient. In response, Mercedes’ engineers devised many improvements that would significantly improve the performance of their automobiles.
Driving costs would be reduced, enabling owners more money to invest in their automobiles themselves, was the ultimate objective. And so it was in the actual world. Mercedes expects the typical driver to save more than 20% on gas. A big saloon automobile with the low mileage of a Mini has never before been available to the general public.
Fewer Emissions of Dangerous Substances
The concept that they are harming other people’s lungs by driving their cars is unappealing to many drivers. In spite of this, BlueEFFICIENCY delivers a sense of security. When a car has BlueTEC, exhaust gasses exit the engine compartment cleaned of soot & NOx particles. As a result, motorists may drive about town with confidence, knowing that they are doing the least possible damage.
CO2 Emissions are reduced.
As a result of the possible impact on the environment and tax consequences, today’s motorists are also worried about their CO2 emissions. You pay less road tax if you have a car that produces less CO2 per mile traveled. Because many pre-owned automobiles emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide, they are automatically taxed at a higher rate. BlueEFFICIENCY Mercedes, on the other hand, create minimal levels of CO2 even by today’s standards.
When it comes to Mercedes, BlueEFFICIENCY is a show of strength. Early on, the technology was sufficiently effective that VW was able to license the principles for their automobiles.
The BlueEFFICIENCY era’s advancements are largely incorporated into current Mercedes models. In the used automobile market, this is one of the things that sets these cars apart from the others. Premium energy-saving technology is yours at a fraction of the normal cost.
