Thirteen Mercedes-Benz cars - two C200s, three C250s, four E200s and four E250s - were lined up at the Losari spa retreat and coffee plantation in Central Java on a rainy Saturday, to take a group of journalists on a test drive.
In contrast to previous generations, these cars are equipped with the CGI blue efficiency technology that helps reduce fuel consumption by between 9 and 22.6 percent. Even with less fuel, the cars can produce an output of 184 horsepower for the C200 and C250 and 204 hp for the E200 and E250.
MBIna sales and marketing director Roland Staehler explained that the CGI technology results in bigger torque at fewer revolutions per minute (rpm), shorter time to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers (km) and lower fuel consumption, without compromising on power.
In sum, he said, "the blue efficiency program means the optimization of combustion engines and the use of clean fuels for combustion engines."
The four models carry 1,796cc engines with four cylinders. The smaller engines help reduce the level of carbon dioxide emitted by the cars from more than 200 grams per km to between 168 and 184 g/km.
Because "Tribute to Indonesia" is its theme in commemorating 40 years in business in the country, Mercedes-Benz Indonesia arranged the test drive to start at Losari and end at Yogyakarta's Phoenix Hotel, which happens to offer its 1961 Mercedes-Benz 180 for its guests.
The constant rain during the trip made it a little tricky for the whole entourage to hit high speeds, but the real problem was the narrow busy road connecting Semarang and Yogyakarta: The road that links the two provincial capitals has not changed much in the past three decades, with only one lane in each direction for most of it.
Thanks to a police escort, however, the 13-car convoy could travel with only minor disruptions. If anything, the rain and heavy traffic helped us test the car's ability to accelerate and stop suddenly.
The test drive continued on the Sunday, heading from Yogyakarta to Ratu Boko Temple, notable for its blend of Hindu and Buddhist elements. Cruising along small village roads, flanked by rice fields, we tested the cars' power and maneuverability, especially around street corners.
Just these short road trips were enough to get a good sample of the newest innovations that manage to be more environmentally friendly but without sacrificing the driving excitement.
- Primastuti Handayani
