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Mercedes Uses U.S. Track to Prove its Diesels are Fast and Reliable
Diesels arent what they used to be. Now, a new breed of direct injection, common rail oil burners are quiet, clean and extremely powerful. So good are they, and so efficient, that many automakers sell more diesels in Europe than gasoline models.
Mercedes-Benz is a leader among diesel producers, which makes it fitting that  | | Mercedes-Benz is a leader among diesel producers, which makes it fitting that its new E320 CDI is now a world record holder. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.) | its new E320 CDI is now a world record holder. The advanced V6 set world record times over 50,000 miles, 60,000 miles and 100,000 miles, without technical difficulties.
A feat like this doesnt happen overnight. Altogether, it took 30 days for three cars to cover a total of  | | The average speed of the three cars over their 100,000 miles journey was 139.699 mph. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.) | 300,000 miles at a high-speed circuit in Laredo, Texas. The average speed of the three cars over their 100,000 miles journey was 139.699 mph.
Three teams of six drivers did the honors, with each person putting in two-hour stints. Compared to a McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 car, which averages two pit stops per race, the E320 drivers had to enter the pits 966 times for refueling and visual checks. No special maintenance was performed, but rather the conventional service intervals were maintained. Overall, each E320 needed oil changes, and renewed air and diesel filters every 10,000 miles.
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