Beginning in 2010, Daimler's well-known Diesel Sprinter van
has to fulfill the new and clearly tighter NOx emission standards
of NAFTA10 (EPA, CARB). This requires an integrated approach of
further engine optimizations and the implementation of an
innovative exhaust aftertreatment technology. The goal was to
develop an overall concept which meets simultaneously the tightened
emission standards (including OBD limits) and the increasing
customer demands of more power and torque without losing the high
fuel efficiency of the small and highly efficient 3-liter V6 diesel
engine OM642, which already has been installed in the NAFTA07
Sprinter.
In the early stages of the concept phase, the most appropriate
NOx aftertreatment technology and certification form (engine or
vehicle) had to be selected for this specific vehicle class in the
van segment with enhanced requirements to durability, economical
efficiency and specific driving behavior. The implementation of
Daimler's BLUETEC SCR system combined with a vehicle
certification reveals the best way to meet the multilayer
requirements.
Due to the usage of a small passenger car derived but highly
efficient diesel engine (OM642), the adoption of passenger car
derived SCR components (AdBlue® dosing valve, tank and dosing
system) was more appropriate as our heavy duty derived components.
The following SAE paper illustrates the implementation of the SCR
system (BLUETEC) into the Diesel Sprinter van in detail. Main
investigation areas are the adaption and optimization of the
exhaust gas system including catalyst coating and the AdBlue\sr
dosing system, specifics of the operation strategy and the overall
balancing of engine and exhaust system optimization to meet the van
specific requirements and the customer demands for more power,
torque and fuel efficiency.
The result is an attractive and unique powertrain concept for
vans in North America. The new NAFTA10 Diesel Sprinter offers now
higher power (188 hp) and torque (325 ft-lb) at even improved fuel
efficiency (24.7 mpg) and significant lower NOx emissions (up to
90%) compared to its predecessor. Consequently, Daimler developed a
clean, environmental-friendly and economical highly efficient
sustainable solution for future transportation in the van segment
of North America. Beginning in 2010, Daimler is going to sell the
NAFTA10 Sprinter generation additionally as Mercedes-Benz vehicle
in USA (all 50 states) and Canada, besides the well known branding
as Freightliner.