New Mercedes C180K BlueEfficiency with 1.6L engine!

In this age of relentlessly spiralling oil prices, Mercedes-Benz will launch a new range of fuel efficient C-Class saloons at Geneva 2008 with the tag BlueEfficiency, a term probably coined as an extension from its BLUETEC technology applied to its CDI turbodiesel engines.

The pertinent model to Malaysian market � and likely most of ASEAN - will be the new C180 Kompressor which, now hear this, has an even smaller displaced 1597cc 4-pot beating under the hood! It was previously a 1796cc in-line 4.

Impressively, maximum power output has been maintained 156hp, along with 230Nm worth of torque, same ratings versus the 'old' 1.8L supercharged M271. This new C180K can cover 100 kilometres with just 6.5 litres of petrol. The previous 1.8L powered C180K needs an additional 0.9L of petrol to get the job done. The new econo-power C180K will sprint to 100km/h in 9.5secs, on the way to a top end of 230km/h.

Apart from a smaller capacity petrol engine, better aerodynamics with a CD factor of 0.25 (versus standard C-Class� 0.27) and weight savings from the new alloy wheels, lighter plus lower rolling resistance Michelins, engine bay firewall foams and windscreen all adds up to higher fuel efficiency.

The other models offering TrueBlue solutions i.e. higher mileage to every litre of fuel are the new C200 CDI and C350CGI, with direct gasoline injection (finally!).