Mercedes-Benz cars have long been known for their diesel variants. Remember the W123 200D or even the 240D diesels of yore? Well, the German brand has once again revealed a new-generation “state of the art” diesel for its little A-Class compact hatch.
The OM 608 is the newest member of the Merc diesel family. This one comes in the form of a 1.5-liter turbodiesel four cylinder with 114hp and 260Nm of torque. This allows the A180d to scoot from 0-100kph in 10.5 seconds and hit a 202kph top speed.
While those numbers are definitely nothing to write home about, Mercedes-Benz promises outstanding fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The German luxury carmaker even says that emissions levels are way below certification limits. Moreover, this engine is a lot quieter than its immediate OM 607 predecessor. It should really be a far cry from the loud clatter of the engines of yesteryear.
As most other carmakers hint at the eventual demise of the oil burner, this new diesel in Merc’s smallest offering is a clear sign that diesels aren’t dead. At least not at Mercedes-Benz. The new Mercedes-Benz A180d is now available to order.
