World 100,000 mile record: 140 mph for 30 days averaging 40 mpg

With so much competition for global car sales, it helps to launch a car into the market with a significant impetus and there’s no greater testimony to the speed or reliability of a car, or boost to the desirability of a car than a world record. Accordingly, Mercedes Benz’ used such a feat to launch its new V6 CDI diesel engine. It had three cars picked at random off the production line, sealed, taken to a track in Texas and run flat out for 100,000 miles. Each E 320 CDI car ran flawlessly for 30 days straight while averaging 224 kmh (140mph) and an almost unbelievable 40 miles per gallon while satisfying all Californian CARB emission standards. While averaging 140 mph, each vehicle was serviced 10 times in the course of the entire run. The 26-strong team of mechanics changed the engine oil, air and diesel filters during each service stop. That should make the showroom punters take notice! Read on for the full story.

The new Mercedes V6 CDI diesel engine, set to replace the existing five and six-cylinder in-line engines in the next few months, has marked the start of its career with a string of world records. Fitted to three standard-production E 320 CDI models, the new powerplant set new world records for 100,000 kilometres, 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles respectively on the high-speed circuit in Texas.

Despite the extreme stresses, the maintenance-free diesel particulate filter held up magnificently over the entire record distance without any deterioration in performance – further testimony to the reliability and durability of this exhaust technology. Mercedes-Benz set three cars at once on course for a record at the high-speed circuit in Laredo, Texas; all three successfully covered the record distance, thereby providing proof of the reliability of the E-Class three times over.

To do so, each of the three candidates did no fewer than 20,000 laps. Adding up the distances covered by all three cars gives an impressive total of 300,000 miles (482,802 kilometres) - one-and-a-quarter times the distance from the Earth to the Moon. In addition to the vast distance and dramatic variations in climatic conditions, the vehicles' suspension, chassis and electronics were subjected to particularly severe and relentless punishment from the vibrations generated by the uneven road surface.

The 30 days of torture also proved the durability of the exhaust system with its integrated diesel particulate filter. Indeed, this event was a world first in that it marked the first time that this filter technology had been subjected to such massive and continuous punishment. As established by numerous test series (conducted both in the lab and on the road), success of Mercedes-Benz in this endurance run confirms that volume-manufactured diesel particulate filters can also be relied on to function perfectly over high mileages in everyday use.

Resounding success after 100,000 miles in 30 days

The vehicles were driven by three teams of six drivers, also including the former DTM contestant and current FIA Formula 1 Safety car driver Bernd Mayländer, with each driver taking the wheel for about 2 hours, 10 minutes between refuelling stops.

In total, the record drivers had to stop 966 times in the temporary pits set up alongside the track; refuelling and the obligatory visual check of the vehicle took around 2 minutes on average. Servicing, including the replacement of operating fluids and wear parts, was performed using the customary service interval indicator in the cockpit.

Project manager Jochen Haab: “Our vehicles ran like clockwork. Our mechanics likewise completed the routine servicing and maintenance in a record-breaking time, contributing in no small part to this magnificent achievement.” In addition to the world records over 100,000 kilometres plus 50,000 and 100,000 miles, the three international driver teams set other records:

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