Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Sets World Speed Records for Diesel

Mercedes Uses U.S. Track to Prove its Diesels are Fast and Reliable

Diesels aren't what they used to be. Now, a new breed of direct injection, common rail oil burners are quiet, clean

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 Canada)

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 its new E320 CDI is now a world record holder. The advanced V6 set world record times over 100,000 km, 50,000 miles (80,467 km), 60,000 miles (96,560 km) and 100,000 miles (160,934 km), without technical difficulties.

A feat like this doesn't happen overnight. Altogether, it took 30 days for three cars to cover a total of 482,802 km

The average speed of the three cars over their 100,000 miles (160,934 km) journey was 224.823 km/h (139.699 mph). (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)

(300,000 miles) at a high-speed circuit in Laredo, Texas. The average speed of the three cars over their 100,000 miles (160,934 km) journey was 224.823 km/h (139.699 mph).

Three teams of six drivers did the honours, 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 (16,000 km).