Why no deisel model?

[PanzerMcGrory]

Following on from a few threads regarding the slk why dont mercedes do a deisel SLK or SL?
seems audi are the only german manufacturer who have the sense to realise there is a market for these kind of cars to be fitted with a deisel engine.
If they can put deisels in a CLK than why not the others?

 

[television]

I think that it is just an image thing, Brianbrian is doing a conversion on a SL to diesel

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

Audi have realised that there is a large customer base of people who want the sports car but also want the economy and the different drive that a deisel can provide.
I think Mercedes are missing out.

 

[Blobcat]

MB won't even offer the CDI CLK over here which is surprising considering that most MB's sold in the UK are diesels.

 

[sailorP]

Even though I love high-powered petrol cars (don't we all) there is a case for a diesel powered sports car married to an auto box, particularly one of the 7-gear steptronic variety.
A diesel engine has lots of torque, which is good for acceleration....(you are still allowed "brisk" acceleration in this country). But diesels have a limited rev range, so an auto box with a lot of gears, suitably programmed to stay in the power band, would be just the job.
The advantage of petro engines is high power at the top end. High speed is not allowed in this country any more. So what's the point of us having a petrol engine?
But it's an image thing, really. Diesels are perceived to be the economy choice and hence don't fit the sporty self-image of the "sports car" owner. You would have to push me very hard to buy a diesel AMG SLK to replace my beloved Yellow Peril....unless it sipped diesel and went harder and faster than the petrol version.

 

[st4]

Audi have realised that there is a large customer base of people who want the sports car but also want the economy and the different drive that a deisel can provide.
I think Mercedes are missing out.

They did an SL400CDi concept a few years ago, and an SLK320cdi tri turbo (because 1 turbo isn't enough ) concept. It went well. The problem is of dynamics though, a diesel weighs more, and this can upset handling characteristics of sporty cars. I betcha an Sl400cdi really wouln't be that economcical either

My money, when R231 and R172 come out, diesel engines will be fitted.

 

[television]

The emissions have not been met yet for the 2011 rules, no one knows yet if they can be with a diesel

 

[Cole@MBS]

A slk with a 642 320cdi lump would eat most things, fast and good mpg, they lost out not making one, would have sold well i would guess!

 

[television]

A slk with a 642 320cdi lump would eat most things, fast and good mpg, they lost out not making one, would have sold well i would guess!

How about the smell on an open top car

 

[st4]

How about the smell on an open top car

Drive fast enough and the wind will make it go away

 

[Cole@MBS]

You can stand behind my (soon to go) 642 and have a chat with someone, theres no smell, its as clean as anything!!

 

[roofless]

They did an SL400CDi concept a few years ago, and an SLK320cdi tri turbo (because 1 turbo isn't enough ) concept. It went well. The problem is of dynamics though, a diesel weighs more, and this can upset handling characteristics of sporty cars. I betcha an Sl400cdi really wouln't be that economcical either

My money, when R231 and R172 come out, diesel engines will be fitted.

the diesel audi got round LE MANS ok

 

[st4]

the diesel audi got round LE MANS ok

But that car is mid engined. A diesel in that case would have better handling as the extra mass would provide greater traction (so long as the driver didn't break traction) allowing greater cornering speeds. The diesel le mans car was also able to pit less for fuel, giving it an automatic advantage.

 

[roofless]

But that car is mid engined. A diesel in that case would have better handling as the extra mass would provide greater traction (so long as the driver didn't break traction) allowing greater cornering speeds. The diesel le mans car was also able to pit less for fuel, giving it an automatic advantage.

a good point but still it's good for a diesel mid engine car against petrol mid engine cars

 

[st4]

a good point but still it's good for a diesel mid engine car against petrol mid engine cars

Diesel Boxster would be cool.I'd have one (ducks for cover)

Diesel 911 not so cool, too much mass behind the rear.

Again for MB's if they mount the engine far back and none of lies infront of the front wheels then the handling issue shouldn't arise. A V6 is a suitably compact engine design for this.

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

Even though I love high-powered petrol cars (don't we all) there is a case for a diesel powered sports car married to an auto box, particularly one of the 7-gear steptronic variety.
A diesel engine has lots of torque, which is good for acceleration....(you are still allowed "brisk" acceleration in this country). But diesels have a limited rev range, so an auto box with a lot of gears, suitably programmed to stay in the power band, would be just the job.
The advantage of petro engines is high power at the top end. High speed is not allowed in this country any more. So what's the point of us having a petrol engine?
But it's an image thing, really. Diesels are perceived to be the economy choice and hence don't fit the sporty self-image of the "sports car" owner. You would have to push me very hard to buy a diesel AMG SLK to replace my beloved Yellow Peril....unless it sipped diesel and went harder and faster than the petrol version.

If people dont want to let on its a deisel just de-badge it.

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

They did an SL400CDi concept a few years ago, and an SLK320cdi tri turbo (because 1 turbo isn't enough ) concept. It went well. The problem is of dynamics though, a diesel weighs more, and this can upset handling characteristics of sporty cars. I betcha an Sl400cdi really wouln't be that economcical either

My money, when R231 and R172 come out, diesel engines will be fitted.

I would hazzard a guess that a large proportion of SL/SLK buyers dont ever push its sportyness and handling to the limits and bought it for its looks and posing credentials so stick a 220 or 3 litre deisel in them and they would sell no problem.

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

How about the smell on an open top car

Come on malcolm they dont all smell like routemasters anymore

And i prefer the slight whiff of a deisel engine to the rotten eggs of the petrol ones.

 

[television]

Come on malcolm they dont all smell like routemasters anymore

And i prefer the slight whiff of a deisel engine to the rotten eggs of the petrol ones.

Fair point,you win

 

[Blobcat]

They did an SL400CDi concept a few years ago, and an SLK320cdi tri turbo (because 1 turbo isn't enough ) concept. It went well. The problem is of dynamics though, a diesel weighs more, and this can upset handling characteristics of sporty cars. I betcha an Sl400cdi really wouln't be that economcical either

My money, when R231 and R172 come out, diesel engines will be fitted.

They put the V12 petrol in and that weighs enough so I would think the V6 CDI would work fine.