According to the EPA, an audit of submitted fuel economy figures turned up a discrepancy between the figures submitted by Mercedes-Benz at the time of EPA certification and those reached by the EPA in independent testing. Mercedes-Benz’s calculations failed to adequately account for “road-load,” which is the product of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance.
The C300 4MATIV FFV was previously rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city. After the adjustment, that will reflect the EPA’s calculation of 19 mpg.
The PZEV model’s updates impact all three categories. City mileage will be re-rated from 20 mpg to 19; highway mileage will go from 29 mpg to 28; combined mileage will be revised down from 23 mpg to 22.
In a statement announcing the changes, Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said, “Even though the adjustments are small, it is important that our oversight system is producing the correct results because even one MPG matters to consumers.”
Other vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup were also tested but found to be compliant.
Leave a Reply