Mercedes-Benz launched their E-Class in the 220 d avatar yesterday, and the car uses a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel mill (codenamed OM654). The car maker claims that the E 220 d is the first passenger car whose diesel engine uses the stepped-bowl combustion process (named after the shape of the combustion bowl).
Mercedes-Benz added that this motor uniquely combines an aluminium engine block with steel pistons and an improved ‘NANOSLIDE’ coating on the cylinder walls. The NANOSLIDE coating technology is claimed to reduce the use of grey cast iron by approximately 1,000 tonnes, and of aluminium by approximately 8,000 tonnes per year.
This is an innovative and economical process for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in combustion engines. Using twin-wire arc spraying (TWAS), the cylinder's inner surfaces are provided with an extremely thin coating of an iron-carbon alloy. With a mirror-smooth surface, it reduces 50 percent of the friction between the piston and the cylinder.