DaimlerChrysler India Ltd (DCIL) replaced C180 by the new C200K. The earlier C200K that DCIL had been importing as a Completely Built Up unit, the new C200K is assembled from CKD kits in India.  The second generation of common rail technology which found its way into the E-class in the beginning now comes with the C-class, which touches new frontiers of performance and efficiency. DaimlerChrysler India started making the C200K in India to add the much required boost to the petrol engine. Built from high-strength aluminium alloy, the all-new head design utilises camshafts that adjust the timing of both the inlet and exhaust valves, thus delivering great performance at both low and high engine speeds.

 

The performance comes from the Kompressor or supercharger that basically is a pump that increases the volumetric efficiency — and therefore power — of an engine by force-feeding it more air and fuel. The American manufacturer Eaton had brought this system back from semi-retirement; Eaton reduced the supercharger’s characteristic whine and improved its efficiency. In its continuous process of technology development, the company came up with its second generation of common rail direct injection diesel technology which was first used in the E-class. The majority of these have been achieved by increasing the pressure in the common rail system from 145bar to 155bar resulting in a further optimisation of the charge cycle in the cylinders. The maximum injection pressure has also been increased from 1350 to 1600bar.

 

The car is also now being fitted with the aero-wipers which have already proved their worth in the other model series. The one most significant change in the equipment levels of the car is the provision of a new music system. The change is that now instead of a cassette, the system has a slot for a CD. This in addition to the CD changer that is fitted in the glove compartment of the car.

 

The basic engine remains the same. With each cylinder still having the same stroke dimensions of 88mm and 88.3mm respectively and the displacement of four cylinders adding up to 2148cc, there is not much physical change to the engines. That apart the figures tell a completely different story. As compared to the C200 CID there is 21 per cent more power and 36 per cent more torque. Maximum power is now 142PS coming in at 4200rpm while the maximum torque of 340Nm is available across a 500rpm band, from 1800rpm to 2300rpm, compared to the 115.6PS of maximum power and the 250Nm of maximum torque which was generated at a much higher 2300rpm and available for 500rpm until 2800rpm.Compared to the first generation common rail 220 engine that was available on the E-class, the second generation technology allows the engine to develop an extra 25Nm of torque while the power output remains nearly the same. The change in figures tells a very small part of the story of the move to the second generation of common rail technology.

 

The old six-hole injection nozzle has been replaced by a seven-hole one. The new injector enables a 20 per cent reduction in the size of the nozzle whole diameter. Consequently, the fuel is even more finely dispersed in the combustion chambers and the efficiency of combustion is further improved. Particulates thus account for a much lower percentage of the exhaust gases.

 

The V8 diesel engine in the S-class this four-cylinder engine is also fitted with a VNT turbocharger with electrically adjustable guide vanes. This enables more dynamic and precise supercharging than the previous vacuum controlled system. The effect is the ability to build up the charge pressure faster and therefore substantially more pulling power as shown by the reduction in rpm at which the maximum torque is generated. The C200 CDI was a quiet car and the company claims that the C220 CDI is even more refined.  The ratios are very well sorted to keep the car in the meaty part of the power band. The C220 CDI is also available with the five-speed automatic transmission that our long term C200 CDI came equipped with.

 

The car gets to the 100kmph mark in ten and a half seconds which is marginally quicker than even the E240 with the automatic gearbox. Top speed is close to the 220kmph mark.  From 60kmph up to 90kmph, every 10kmph speed increase is achieved in less than two seconds in 4th gear, around two seconds is what it takes to get to 100kmph from 90kmph in both 4th and 5th gears. In fifth gear the under two seconds required to reach 90kmph from 80kmph occurs as soon as the engine gets to the rpm band where the maximum torque is produced. Fual efficiency, the C200K returned a respectable 7kpl in the city and 10kpl on the highway. The C200 CDI had a good engine and the C220 CDI engine is better. It is quieter, it is more powerful, and it pollutes less and is more fuel efficient.

Filed under: Mercedes Cars in India