Mercedes C180k Blueefficiency, Everything’s Going Green

We’ve had the Bluemotion, the EcoNetic, the Ecomotive and the EfficientDynamics range, now it’s time for Mercedes to throw their hat into the ring with the new BlueEfficiency range of models, adding to the A and B Class with the Mercedes C Class C180K BlueEfficiency. Mercedes may have been a little late to the party, but at least they’ve turned up.

Once again, another manufacturer has looked towards existing technology and a trip to the wind tunnel to improve on an existing design. Reducing emissions and improving economy. It just makes you scratch your head and wonder why they don’t do this to all their cars when they design them. Do they purposely design cars that aren’t quite as efficient as they could be, just to improve them at a later date and charge a little more for the privilege of owning one? Having said that the C Class BlueEfficiency is slightly cheaper than the standard C180K it replaces, but we have had a two and a half percent decrease in VAT to factor into the equation.


So how have they done it? Well if you’ve looked at the plethora of ‘greener’ vehicles that are being offered from the other manufacturers, it quickly becomes apparent that there is no secret formula. These improvements are gained through the use and application of basic science. Make the car lighter, more aerodynamically efficient and easier to propel along the road and the improvements in emissions and economy will automatically follow. Mercedes have also reduced the capacity of the engine by two hundred cubic centimetres. That said they’ve managed to keep performance - 156bhp at 5200 rpm and 170lb ft at 3000 rpm – unchanged. Quite a feat when you think about it really.

Low rolling resistance tyres and lighter alloys, a thinner glass windscreen and lighter but far more effective insulation are the other major factors in reducing the weight of the C Class BlueEfficiency. Changes one would think could be implemented across the whole range of their cars without too much trouble. Changes that would also save on the amount of raw materials used, surely decreasing costs further.

Aerodynamically the C Class BlueEfficiency has had a number of minor tweaks. Smaller wing mirrors, more aerodynamic LED indicator lenses, better panel seals, slightly lowered suspension, a partially blanked grille and a smoother underside all contribute to helping the C Class BlueEfficiency cut through the air that little bit easier. Once again improving the economy figures and lowering the emissions.

It’s easy to be cynical these days, but the improvements made to the C Class BlueEfficiency make it a class leader in the compact executive market when it comes to economy. With figures of nearly forty five miles per gallon whilst emitting under 150 grams of Co2 per kilometre, other manufacturers must surely sit up and take note. Mercedes does expect to roll out BlueEfficiency models throughout its range of cars. But as was said earlier, surely it must be possible to make many of these improvements on all its cars, without the consumer having to pick up the premium.