Mercedes-Benz Engines Upgraded for 2004 Standards

Freightliner Trucks unveiled the 2004 model Mercedes-Benz MBE4000 and MBE900 diesel engines for Freightliner heavy- and medium-duty trucks. The engines will be available in the first quarter of 2004.

Both the MBE4000 and MBE900 will use the exhaust gas recirculation system to achieve the upcoming 2004 emission standards. The engines did not have to meet the Oct. 1, 2002, deadline because Mercedes was not among the engine makers under the consent decree that advanced the emissions deadline.

The 12.8-liter MBE4000 is a heavy-duty engine that can be used for regional distribution, vocational, truckload and bulk-haul applications. The engine is offered in Freightliner’s Century Class S/T and Columbia, as well as in heavier-duty Business Class M2 vehicles.

The 4.3- through 7.2-liter MBE900 is for medium-duty truck applications. It, too, is offered in M2 models.

The MBE900 diesel engines are available in four- and six-cylinder configurations, with 170 to 330 hp and torque from 420 to 1,000 pounds-feet.

The MBE900 features an exhaust brake, compression brake or combination exhaust and compression brake options. The combination produces up to 215 braking horsepower.

The MBE4000 features the standard exhaust and compression brake with an optional, lightweight turbo brake, which produces over 500 braking horsepower.

The MBE4000 comes with a full two-year, unlimited mileage standard warranty. The MBE900 features a base three-year, 150,000-mile warranty for on-highway applications. The engines are supported by the Freightliner Trucks dealer network and the Detroit Diesel parts and service network.