The second generation of direct petrol injection made its debut in the CLS 350 CGI introduced in 2006. The six cylinder unit was the world's first petrol engine with piezo-electric direct injection and spray-guided combustion, and as such achieved a fuel saving of around ten percent compared with its predecessor with port injection.

Now the third generation of direct petrol injection is celebrating its world premiere, this time in the new CLS. Christened BlueDIRECT, this innovation is helping to establish the V-engines of Mercedes-Benz as the world benchmarks, enabling a further reduction of 20 percent in fuel consumption to be achieved solely through in-engine measures. The key data of the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY include: 225 kW/306 hp (plus 10 kW), 370 Nm (plus 5 Nm), fuel consumption of 6.8 litres per 100 km (minus 2.3 litres). The CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h.

The V6 petrol engine with BlueDIRECT technology in the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY differs from its predecessor in the following key areas:

60° cylinder angle and omission of balancer shaft
Extended lean-burn operation, lean-burn system with load monitoring from pressure information, new combustion system operating modes
Multi-spark ignition
Resonance intake manifold
Latest generation of piezo injectors
Enhanced cooling circuit control and optimisation
Enhanced oil circuit control and optimisation
Increased output and torque