Mercedes Benz CGI technology debuts with C class in India
Mercedes Benz unveiled its latest CGI variant of its C - class petrol-powered sedan priced at Rs 28.44 lakh (ex-showroom price, Mumbai). The new technology, which uses a direct injection engine with spray guided combustion process allows the engine to run on high excess air and, thus, offer better fuel efficiency.The new 1,796 cc car — C 200CGI — will replace the old C - Class, which runs on Kompressor technology, as revealed by the company.
“The CGI technology heralds a new era in gasoline engines with improved output, optimized consumption and even more impressive emission statistics” commented Prof. Dr.Ing. Bharat Balasubramanian, vice-president, Product Innovations & Process Technologies, Group Research & Advanced Engineering, Daimler AG, speaking to media persons at the launch event.
The CGI technology makes its debut in the C-Class. Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India explained the rationale: “The C-Class is in most cases the first touch point of customers with our brand. Mercedes-Benz stands for exciting products and cutting edge technologies; what better way to reinforce this promise than by offering the C 200 CGI as the harbinger of the CGI revolution in gasoline engines!”
The CGI technology is the first of its kind in the world to use sophisticated petrol direct-injection engine with spray guided combustion process. CGI engines use piezo-injectors (also seen on the global F700 DiesOtto concept presented by Daimler AG). With the new technology, the engine can run with high excess air and thus offer excellent fuel efficiency. Thanks to multiple injections, it is for the first time possible to extend this lean-burn operating mode to higher rpm and load ranges too.
Among the most important components of this innovative direct petrol injection system are the fast-acting piezoelectric injectors. They have nozzles which open outwards to create an annular gap just a few microns wide. This gap shapes the fuel jet and produces a uniform, hollow-cone-shaped spray pattern. The microsecond response times of the piezoelectric injectors provide the basis for delivering multiple injections per power stroke, and thus for lean-burn operation. By allowing flexible and efficient control of the combustion process they play a key part in ensuring the engine's outstanding fuel efficiency. The engine’s innovative injection procedure makes for much better fuel and thermodynamic efficiency than the wall-guided combustion process previously employed with direct injection.
Mercedes-Benz has replaced the previous 4-in-line KOMPRESSOR Technology with the world's first spray-guided direct petrol injection. Thus in the C-Class, the C 200CGI replaces the C 200 Kompressor in the model range. The C 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with the new engine technology consumes just 11.74 km /litres of fuel knocking 0.78 litres off the values of the C200Kompressor. CO2 emissions are also reduced from 215g/km to 201 g/km. The debutante offers an output of 137kW at 5600rpm (approx. 5 per cent increase over the C 200Kompressor). At the same time it offers increased bottom-end torque of 285 Nm at 2400-4000 rpm (C 200Kompressor = 240 Nm @ 3500 - 4500rpm). Thus the C 200CGI is keenly tuned in with the environmental objectives of lower emission at the same time becoming even more pleasurable to drive, more sporty and quick.
The new C 200 CGI will now also sport the BlueEFFICIENCY technology tag that was earlier introduced in the sibling E-Class in November 2009. With Blue efficiency, the brand offers a complete package of fuel efficient qualities combined with the characteristic brand features - safety, comfort and refined driving pleasure. As well as an exciting design and hallmark Mercedes refinement, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class displays state-of-the-art technology such as the AGILITY CONTROL package with selective damper control and the PRE-SAFE® system with anticipatory occupant-protection measures. Furthermore, independent studies confirm that the C-Class has the highest resale value in the medium-size category, while the latest breakdown statistics compiled by the ADAC (German Automobile Association) reveal that it is the most reliable car in its class.