Gavin

With all the talk these days about reducing emissions, increasing mileage, alternative fuels, hybrids, CAFE standards, etc. there has been plenty of speculation about how specialty performance divisions like Mercedes-AMG, BMW's M division, and Audi's quattro GmbH will manage to survive. It seems that, until quite recently, every time someone would publish an article predicting a diesel-powered performance car from the aforementioned manufacturers, they would receive endless responses from readers emphatically convinced that such a prospect was not only impossible but completely ridiculous as well.


Astonishingly, AMG began production of their first diesel model exactly seven years ago when they introduced the C 30 CDI AMG on September 26, 2002. Though easily outperformed by the then-new C 32 AMG, the C 30 CDI produced a respectable 231 bhp @ 3800 rpm and a monstrous 398 ft-lb of torque available from 2000-2500 rpm. This performance allowed the sedan and coupe models to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and all the way up to a maximum speed of 155 mph. The estate model (the rarest of them all) was slightly slower, with a 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds and a 152 mph top speed. The transmission, suspension, body styling, and braking system were all carried over directly from the C 32.

Even more remarkable, though, is that the C 30 CDI managed to return a fuel consumption of only 7.6 liters/100 km or 31 mpg on the American EPA cycle! On just one tank of fuel, the car could travel 500 miles.

Sadly, the C 30 CDI AMG was never offered outside of western Europe and after only two years of production, it was cancelled along with the C 32 Coupe. Today, they are extremely rare on the used car market and even information about them is scarce (which explains why so few are aware of its existence). Hopefully in the future AMG will continue to make more innovative performance automobiles like the C 30 CDI AMG.

FURTHER READING: For a full listing of specifications and the original DaimlerChrysler press release for the C 30 CDI AMG, click here!

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ClassyMama

Wow! I never knew about this, either. Of course, I am living outside of Europe so that's not unexpected. I always say that nothing is impossible, and I would think that this could be updated and introduced to the Americas. I hope someday that it is.

TomsMerc

I hope so too. Mercedes has made some substantial improvements in its line of diesel engines, especially with the BlueEFFICIENCY line, since the C30 CDI AMG came out. Once of the new C class non-AMG models, the C350 CDI, has nearly equal performance and gets better mileage, again, in a non-AMG car.

Then there's the new V8 diesel they're selling in the ML, GL, E, and S class cars. Stock, it puts out 314 hp @ 3600 rpm and 538 lb-ft torque @ 2200 rpm... pretty incredible. And on top of that, you can take it to a tuning company like Renntech or Kleeman for a simple ECU upgrade (probably $2000-3000) and get "Up to 400 HP and 910 Nm (674 lb-ft) of torque."

Think about this, then imagine what AMG could do with that engine these days...

LilyBenz

I think we'll be seeing something similar on the market soon enough because with the big thing going on about reducing emissions and going green and the fact that people aren't buying as many cars and when they are they have started looking at the mileage they can get on a tank of gas the car makers will have to come up with different solutions. Mercedes will be one step ahead as they already have the design and all they have to do is incorporate it into their current lines.

Do you think it's too soon to write a letter to Santa asking for one of these for Christmas? lol

Gavin

Too soon? Probably. There has been speculation that AMG might make another diesel engine, but if I remember correctly, the only definite statements they have made involve the possibility of using turbochargers and hybrid systems for their next V8 engine, but who knows what they'll come up with. Since the M156 engine (used in all the "63 AMG" cars) is only three years old, you might have to wait a few years.

bzerp03

Yeah, I have a feeling that if AMG was anywhere near releasing a diesel car there would be way more rumors about it and plenty of spy shots. Remember how the plans to build an electric SLS were released a while ago, then Mercedes announced an electric SLS exactly like what was described in the leak?

Kit

You have a point but the economy has changed quite a bit in the past year and Mercedes have always been quick to react and adapt to changes, unlike other manufacturers. How long did it take Chrysler to actually change something with their lines?

TomsMerc

Chrysler? As far as I know they haven't changed anything for about 20 years. I remember reading an article where the CEO of Fiat said there had been no new development on Chrysler products in the past two years.

McQueen

I saw on the news today that Chrysler is going to be having a line of new cars coming out. Of course it is with Fiat's help.