Mercedes Will Intro 3 Diesel Models This October

[Perian]

Link: http://www.mbusa.com/campaigns/alter...fuels/index.do

Mercedes-Benz continues to revolutionize the industry with the clean, quiet, and powerful next-generation diesel and flexible fuel engines, available in select Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The ML320 CDI SUV and R320 CDI Sports Tourer, available Fall 2006, are the only diesel vehicles in their competitive class. Both offer permanent four-wheel drive, superior utility, ample cargo capacity, and performance — all without compromising fuel economy.

The E320 BLUETEC® is the only diesel-powered luxury sedan available in the U.S., delivering an estimated 780 miles on a tank of fuel. Innovative BLUETEC technology reduces emissions, making these vehicles safer for the environment.

CDI Diesel: Strong and Silent

The new-generation V-6 diesel engine with CDI fuel injection technology yields up to 20 to 40 percent better fuel economy than comparable gasoline engines. Quieter, smoother, and cleaner than ever, this engine is available in three Mercedes-Benz models: the ML320 CDI SUV, R320 CDI Sports Tourer, and the E320 BLUETEC Luxury Sedan, arriving in Fall 2006. The new V-6 engine offers unmatched overall performance:

* Efficiency comparable to many 4-cylinder gasoline engines and the horsepower of a V-6
* Impressive torque of a V-8 enables quick acceleration and excellent hauling and towing ability
* High-tech particulate filter eliminates 98 percent of particulate matter

[Perian]

IMPORTANT NOTE:

These are 45-State units only.

Still - Very impressive, introduction is only two months away.

I know they are coming, but when do we get GM diesels vehicles?

[Quickening]

Seems odd that they are introducing CDI variants still. When Blutech is much better. O well diesels are amazing.

[b4z]

My wife and I honeymooned in London and were picked up by a MB E-Class 260 Turbo Diesel for our trip to Gatwick airport.
I think it had 177 hp and a absolute boatload of torque.
The driver said he averaged 34mpg in the city and over 50 on the highway.
All I can say is when he merged onto the ring road I was firmly planted in the seat back.
It was a smooth continuous flow of torque.
Hard to believe a 2.6L motor can haul like that.
Pretty amazing stuff.
And the 3.2L is even faster!

[kenman923]

With the way gas prices are going, diesels are making a comeback.

[Sporer65]

So will this mean a possible 300C, Magnum, and even Charger diesel models? Or perhaps a Grand Cherokee or Durango model as well.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Sporer65

So will this mean a possible 300C, Magnum, and even Charger diesel models? Or perhaps a Grand Cherokee or Durango model as well.

The Grand Cherokee will have a diesel engine available by January of 2007.

[Bornfromparents]

I read somewhere on GMI that the Cherokee will only get something
like 19/21 mpg with the diesel engine.

[01cavalier]

Great that they are getting diesels out, GM really needs to make some available in passenger vehicles.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by Sporer65

So will this mean a possible 300C, Magnum, and even Charger diesel models? Or perhaps a Grand Cherokee or Durango model as well.

All are sold in Europe with diesel options, but the Grand Cherokee will probably be the only one to get it here.

I didn't think we would have ANY light-duty diesels over here for a year or so, but I guess unlike VW DCX is on top of meeting the US's new stricter emissions.

[motorman]

i think the feds are worried about americans cheating on the fuel by using heating oil which has no road tax if diesel cars become popular in the USA. in germany if they catch you with untaxed fuel in your car they keep the car. they have colored the fuel here but i have never heard of any one being stopped and checked except large trucks. if diesel cars become popular here in the USA they will need thousands more people to check for the cheaters because home heating oil is so easy to get put into a tank at your home.

[Hotspur]

Here in DC the MB diesels are fast becoming THE car the be seen in. Expensive but socially responsible. Very popular with execs and tennis ladies alike. Lexus hybrids are out there but don't seem the carry the same cache.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by motorman

i think the feds are worried about americans cheating on the fuel by using heating oil which has no road tax if diesel cars become popular in the USA. in germany if they catch you with untaxed fuel in your car they keep the car. they have colored the fuel here but i have never heard of any one being stopped and checked except large trucks. if diesel cars become popular here in the USA they will need thousands more people to check for the cheaters because home heating oil is so easy to get put into a tank at your home.

Nope. The problem is air pollution. In California and other states that follow California's pollution laws (including New York), new diesel cars are effectively banned because they pollute too much. No American car maker wants to bother designing a car they can't sell in California or New York. It's a state problem, not a Federal problem.

This may change after low sulfur diesel is finally rolled out, which should be next year I believe.

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

This may change after low sulfur diesel is finally rolled out, which should be next year I believe.

I'm not sure but I think the new low sulphur diesel in Canada is already available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ULSD http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...sel/ulsd.shtml
http://www.cantruck.com/news/news/20..._121044_i.php3

[DuSpinnst]

Just so you know, all the LX diesels cars are assembled by Magna in Graz, Austria. In fact the Saab 9-3 Convertible is also assembled by Magna.

So I would not expect LX diesels here, ever.

On the subject of BLUETEC, I think it's a great tech, and DCX should promote it more.