merc cab? merc boat?

Ah. Allow me to take a break from studies now.

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Just a day before, was talking to my sis that, if I have a chance to take a cab, I would rather wait for anything but the good old toyota crowns we have all over. Hey, of coz someone like me would be so interested to try out all those new hyundai VW or merc turbo-diesels...

So, the next day (last sat) my chance came. Was out and after a long story, just need a cab. And great, spotted the "green" merc cab (those CNG ones). Hop on.

Well, from the papers, they says these cars started life as a petrol engined car. They fixed in a gas tank, modified some parts, and wola: A green car running on CNG that emit no pollutants. All that happens is that the car loses 10% of power but is quieter, cheaper to run (CNG is cheaper per kg compared to petrol) and trees are happy and humans will not get cancer.

It's right; from the ride we had in the cab, there's really isnt any engine noise. And since it's a merc E200, it really comfortable, very well built, very smooth auto gear change, and the car is very very stable on the move. Our toyota crowns is as comfortable as a school bus, in comparsion.

But that's not the end to it.... Power is truely lacking. There is moment when the driver was coming out of the filter lane. Accelerator down, smooooth auto gear kickdown, and.....nothing. Engine was just struggling but there isnt any "thrust" felt. You would know what I mean when you do the same thing to a coventional car.