The C 320 CDI sees Mercedes’ superlative 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 join the list of impressive engine options available for customers of the all-new C-Class. This is the same power unit that has impressed customers world-wide in other passenger car models and SUVs from the Mercedes catalogue, offering seemingly endless torque and remarkable fuel economy. The C 320 CDI will take pride of place as the range leader for the all-new C-Class and arrives at a time when demand for this new model reaches an all-new high since its release in late July.

“I am delighted to be able to confirm that the C 320 CDI will be joining the all-new C-Class model range in Australia,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director for the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

“The C 320 CDI offers our leading-edge diesel engine technology in the form of a powerful and economical V6. It combines outstanding driving performance, low exhaust emissions and impressive fuel economy with the safety, comfort and agility that the all-new C-Class has wowed so many customers with."

“I know this exciting announcement will be welcome news for our customers, many of whom have been eagerly anticipating this brilliant engine’s appearance in the popular new C-Class,” concluded von Sanden.

The C 320 CDI is priced from $92,800 (excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges). This new range-leader boasts the same impressive list of standard safety, luxury and driving equipment found in the C 280 petrol V6, but gains three-zone THERMOTRONIC climate control in addition to the brilliant 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel power unit.

The V6 CDI motor in the C 320 CDI expands the range of engines available for the new C-Class to four, joining the C 200 Kompressor, C 220 CDI four-cylinder turbo-diesel and C 280 V6 petrol.

The six-cylinder CDI engine

The performance from the Mercedes-Benz V6 turbo-diesel engine is the product of state-of-the-art technology and engineering, simultaneously hitting the seemingly incompatible targets of performance, economy and low emissions.

The 3.0-litre engine produces a maximum power level of 165 kW and a peak torque of 510 Newton metres, which is available between a very low 1,600 and 2,800 rpm.

This up-to-date direct-injection diesel unit is equipped with third-generation common-rail technology. Its advanced features include rapid and precise piezo-injectors, as well as a maximum injection pressure of up to 1,600 bar.

This technology allows for not only an impressive fuel consumption figure of only 7.4-litres per 100 km travelled (combined cycle) but also swift performance, with the C 320 CDI able to travel from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

Lightweight construction as a factor in exemplary diesel driving pleasure

The choice of materials, technical design and engine management system of the V6 turbo-diesel engine are state-of-the-art. Mercedes-Benz has developed an aluminium crankcase with cast-in grey iron cylinder liners for this diesel engine, a design feature which makes a major contribution to weight reduction. As a result, the new six-cylinder engine weighs a total of only around 208 kilogrammes (acc. to DIN) and achieves a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of 0.83 kW/kg -- a major contribution to the outstanding performance and agility offered by the new C 320 CDI.

Driving agility: shock absorbers that keep pace with the driving situation

The C 320 CDI also boasts the special blend of agility and comfort that has quickly been identified as one of the many exceptional strengths of the new C-Class, courtesy of the standard-fitment AGILITY CONTROL package. This features shock absorbers which automatically adapt to the current driving situation for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort when driving normally. As soon as a more dynamic driving style is adopted, the maximum damping forces are set to stabilise the car effectively and give a distinct change in higher-speed handling.

Hallmark Mercedes quality and safety

The new C-Class range has been the product of exhaustive research and testing, during which it demonstrated its typical Mercedes-like levels of safety in over 100 crash tests. The range’s occupant protection concept is underpinned by an intelligently designed bodyshell and boasts Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system. This safety system makes use of the time before an imminent accident to prepare the vehicle and its occupants for a collision. The result is a considerable reduction in the loads exerted on the passengers upon impact.

Occupants are protected by a total of eight airbags as standard fitment. The driver, front passenger and the passengers on the outer rear seats also benefit from belt tensioners and belt force limiters.

The NECK-PRO head restraints in the front have a crash-responsive design, meaning that they move to cushion the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage in a rear-end collision to protect against the risk of whiplash.

Standard features such as the Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Programme ESP® make vital contributions to accident prevention.

Engine

Cylinders/arrangement		6/V, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement	cc	2,987
Bore x stroke	mm	83.0 x 92.0
Rated output	kW	165 at 3,800 rpm
Rated torque	Nm	510 at 1,600-2,800 rpm
Compression ratio		17.7 : 1
Mixture formation		High-pressure fuel injection with common-rail technology, turbocharger, EDC

Power transfer

Transmission

7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission

Running gear

Front axle	Three-link suspension, anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers with amplitude-dependent damping system, stabiliser
Rear axle	Multi-link independent suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers with amplitude-dependent damping system, stabiliser
Brakes	Internally ventilated disc brakes all-round, drum-type parking brake at the rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP®
Steering	Rack-and-pinion power steering, steering damper
Wheels	7.5 J x 17
Tyres	225/45 R 17

Dimensions and weights

Wheelbase	mm	2,760
Track width front/rear	mm	1,533/1,536
Overall length	mm	4,581
Overall width	mm	1,770
Overall height	mm	1,448
Turning circle	m	10.8
Boot capacity max.*	l	475
Kerb weight acc. to EC	kg	1,700
Payload	kg	485
Perm. gross vehicle weight	kg	2,185
Tank capacity/reserve	l	66/8

Performance and fuel consumption

Acceleration 0-100 km/h	seconds	7.7
Max. speed	km/h	210 (limited)
Fuel consumption comb.	l/100 km	7.4