Mercedes-Benz is unleashing a wave of diesel models. Analysts beleive that diesels will make up nine percent of the U.S. market in 2013, which is up from just two percent in ’05 and many automakers are promising diesel models in the near-future. Mercedes reports that about 15 percent of its M-class SUV customers are opting for the diesel ML320 model since it went on sale in October of 2006.
Mercedes-Benz 'G and GL Class' - Page 3
Following Mercedes-Benz’s announcement that the company plans to market 50-state emissions compliant BlueTec diesel versions of its ML-, R-, and GL-class sport-utes here in the US by the 2009 model year comes this look at the BlueTec GL which will show up at the Detroit Auto Show.
M-B is calling this a concept, but it’s safe to say the 290-hp, 515 lb-ft BlueTec V-8 behind that boisterous grille will be a part of the invasion when Mercedes’ clean diesels arrive here in 2008. We were hoping for a little more power to match Audi’s monstrous Q7 V-12 TDI, but Mercedes has gone all conservative on us and is instead chasing respectable fuel economy numbers like this one: 24 mpg.
Motor Trend magazine has chosen the Mercedes-Benz GL450 as its sport utility vehicle of the year for 2007. This brand new SUV, equipped with a seven-speed transmission and a 335-horespower V-8 engine, was chosen from a field of 22 vehicles, the largest crop of SUVs ever evaluated by the magazine.
“The first full-size sport utility from Mercedes is not cheap, but it has astonishing technology,” Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement. The Mercedes has the most comfortable third-row seating of any SUV tested, the magazine said. It also will come with a diesel engine that runs on new low-sulfur fuel. “In every facet, from performance to the interior, this vehicle is a winner,” MacKenzie said.