Mercedes-Benz diesel technology

Mercedes-Benz has a rich history with the compression ignition diesel engine. We were the first manufacturer to build a diesel-powered automobile in 1936 and have pursued development of the diesel engine ever since. We have spearheaded new technologies such as Common Rail Diesel Injection (CDI), added innovative thinking to the diesel engine with componentry such as the variable geometry turbocharger and set records in cars such as the famous Mercedes-Benz C111 prototype, a 5-speed manual straight-5 turbo-Diesel which broke nine diesel and gas speed records.

It's been more than 110 years since Rudolf Diesel registered his first patent for the diesel engine, but Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way in unlocking the performance and clean energy potential of this power unit, as shown most recently with the international release of BlueTec® clean emission technology.