How come Mercedes didn't make a 'fast' Diesel in the W205?

[jwilliamsm3]

Diesel in this sector still seems to sell well, i see lot's of 335d's and the odd big engine diesel A4, but how come with the W205 the fastest diesel is the C250d with a measly 201bhp? I know there's the C300 hybrid but that's a hybrid and still nothing special at 228bhp.

Considering the F30 has the 330d 255bhp and 335d with 308bhp, and Audi has the A4 with the 2 variants of the 3.0 V6 diesel with 215 and 268bhp, i would have thought Mercedes would have 100% put the 350d engine in to rival them.

I know diesel has fallen out of flavour but they still make a shed load of diesels in all their other models, Mercedes love a niche too.

Also the GLC which is the C class SUV does come with the 350d engine.

Whats everyones take on that?

[st4]

The've phased out the old V6 - the straight six might not fit in the W205.

Answer is, buy the C43 or better still - don't buy a Mercedes.

[anonymous-user]

I suspect they need all the space they can under the hood for pedestrian safety systems. Not only are the cars designed to protect drivers in unfortunate events but also pedestrians. That coupled with pressure on emissions reductions probably also provided another reason.

To me it would have been a no brainer to offer at least one fast diesel to compete with other brands. May be they are trying to put people off using the devils fuel who knows.

Must be a decision backed by research and sales figures though. I can’t think of anything else.

[va1o]

Super_G said:

Must be a decision backed by research and sales figures though. I can’t think of anything else.

Agreed, seems the market is moving away from big diesels. But the 'lighter' performance stuff (e.g. C43, Audi S4/ 45, BMW 340i/ 440i) seems more popular.