Last week, DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz luxury car division unveiled for the first time the Vision C 220 BLUETEC in front of the European crowd at the recent 77e Salon International de l'Auto Geneve (77th annual Geneva International Motor Show). The Vision C 220 BLUETEC joins the company's vehicle lineup of C-Class models. Aside from the overall sleek exterior appearance along with the car's luxurious and elegant interior amenities, the Vision C 220 BLUETEC's key feature is under its hood.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC is equipped with the cleanest diesel engine in the world, according to the German automaker. The 4-cylinder engine is capable of pumping out 170 horsepower (125 kW) and produces 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) amount of peak torque. The engine complies with the most stringent emissions standard in the world including the EURO 6 standard and the BIN 5 emissions standard for all 50 states. Even with low fuel consumption and lower exhaust emission, the Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC still offers impressive handling and driving performance.

DaimlerChrysler AG has developed the BLUTEC clean diesel technology to reduce the diesel nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Like all other standard Mercedes-Benz production engines, the diesel engine onboard the Vision C 220 BLUETEC has a four-cylinder powertrain system. The drivetrain includes four valves per cylinder, third-generation direct common-rail injection system, turbocharger with a variable nozzle turbine and exhaust gas recirculation. An electronic engine management unit is also included to monitor the engine's operating conditions, thus improving the combustion process, provides better fuel economy up to 5.5 liters of diesel per 62 miles (100 km), and most of all, offers reduced harmful nitrous oxide exhaust emissions. The diesel engine for the Vision C 220 BLUETEC is also equipped with diesel particulate filter and bunch of Mercedes catalytic converters that helps to further reduce emissions.

The BLUETEC diesel engine was also included in Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2007.

How does the BLUETEC clean diesel technology work? First, the system uses an oxidizing Mercedes-Benz catalytic converter that functions to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnd hydrocarbon (HC) contents from the exhaust. Next, another catalytic converter called the DeNOx removes oxides with the help of a particulate filter. Lastly, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter converts the other nitrogen oxides into pure nitrogen and water, with the injection of AdBlue, a urea-based material that helps to the conversion process.

Meanwhile, according to Mercedes-Benz, they are planning to offer three model classes equipped with BLUETEC diesel engines to roll out in the U.S. market. These include the R-Class crossover SUV, M-Class 4-door SUV, and the GL-Class full size luxury crossover SUV.