Mercedes-Benz has set a new diesel world record and has once again succeeded in highlighting the performance, reliability and environmental compatibility of today's advanced diesel engines. The three standard-production Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI models completed the 30-day, 100,000-mile, marathon at an average speed of 139.699 mph (224.823 km/h) without suffering any problems.

Have you ever seen such a dirty Mercedes? Is an attempt at a world speed record really an excuse for not taking a few minutes to stop and wash the darned thing?

As well as offering superb performance and excellent quality, these vehicles are also outstandingly economical. The fuel consumption figure of 40 mpg achieved by the E 320 CDI under normal driving conditions is unrivalled by any vehicle in its competitive segment in the USA. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz engineers have successfully used effective emission control systems to satisfy the strict ex-haust emission standards set by the EPA. Through the use of the latest technology it will in future be possible to comply with the Californian CARB (California Air Resources Board) legislation – the strictest in the world – which currently applies in five states. In view of the dramatic rise in fuel prices, US President George W. Bush last week announced a programme to develop more fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles. Together with hybrid vehicles, "clean diesel" models like the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI are to be promoted by means of tax incentives to the tune of $ 2.5 billion over the next few years.

The potential fuel savings which could be achieved through increased adoption of diesel engines in the USA are enormous. An increase in the proportion of diesel-powered cars and light commercial vehicles from the present one percent to 50 percent as in western Europe would save the USA approximately 2.3 million bar-rels of crude oil per day. The amount saved on an annual basis is even more im-pressive: requirements of crude oil would be slashed by 839 million barrels, or around 133 billion litres. Many American consumers are already convinced of the benefits of today's advanced diesel powerplants, as demonstrated by the response to the launch of the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI. The planned sales volume of 3000 vehicles in 2004 was attained after just five months. And the customers are de-lighted, especially by the sporty and agile performance, the good fuel economy and the high level of comfort. In those federal states in which Mercedes-Benz offered the E-Class with diesel engines, just under 12 percent of customers opted for a diesel model.

Mercedes-Benz is regarded as the pioneer of diesel technology. As early as 1936, the company officially presented the world's first standard-production diesel pas-senger car in the form of the 260 D, the first prototypes having successfully un-dergone endurance road trials the previous year. Another milestone on the way to today's advanced, agile diesel powerplants was the introduction of turbo technol-ogy in the seventies. As early as 1985, the company presented the world's first particulate filter, while the premiere of the common-rail diesel followed in 1997. The consistent effort which Mercedes-Benz has put into the evolution of diesel technology over the last 70 years has helped it attain the high regard which it en-joys around the world today. Future developments by the Stuttgart-based com-pany will make the diesel even more attractive, powerful and environmentally compatible. This commitment is acknowledged by customers: Mercedes-Benz has already delivered more than seven million diesel-engined passenger cars to date. The overall share of diesels within the Mercedes-Benz model range worldwide now lies at 35 percent, and in western Europe is even as much as 56 percent.