Posted on 06/20/2005 9:12:48 AM PDT by B Knotts
Mercedes-Benz car group plans to launch several diesel-powered vehicles in all 50 states as early as 2008, perhaps signaling a broader move to diesels by the industry.
At least two Chrysler group vehicles, the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, also could get diesel options.
Four Mercedes models - the E-Class sedan, M-Class and G-Class SUVs, and new R-Class sport wagon - are expected to be offered with diesel power.
Just five diesel-powered car models, including Mercedes' E320 CDI and two small diesel SUVs, now are available in North America. But as gasoline prices soar, automakers are taking a close look at diesels, which deliver about 30 percent greater fuel economy than a similar-sized gasoline engine.
Mercedes plans to meet tough new emissions standards that require diesels to run as cleanly as gasoline engines with an injection system that shoots urea - an ammonialike acid - into the exhaust system.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoweek.com ...
There is no urea distribution system in the United States. But Lenhardt says Mercedes could make the substance available to consumers through auto parts stores and oil-change businesses. Or it could be sold over the parts counter at Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Mercedes markets urea under the Adblue brand name.
Mercedes must design a warning system that prompts drivers to replenish the urea when it runs low. The car will run without urea but won't meet emissions standards.
The car also could be programmed to shut down after a specified number of miles if the driver does not have the urea tank refilled, Lenhardt says.
The EPA has not been enthusiastic about urea.
Regulators don't like the system because of the potential for drivers to let vehicles run out of urea. But the EPA won't stand in the way of the technology.
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But, seriously...this is all good news for us diesel heads.
Incidentally, I will be surprised if DaimlerChrysler doesn't offer the S-Class in the U.S. with the new V-8 diesel.
Hopefully, the largest car market in the world, the US consumers, will start demanding that cars be more efficient and new technologies will emerge as a result.
Not to be gross, but doesn't every driver (and passenger) have a built-in urea supply?
Indeed, there is the potential for some real innovation here...
What a pisser!
In that case, you just need to be able to buy some at Pep Boys before you go into your emissions test. Other than that, you wouldn't catch me buying it.
Incidentally, I think it must first be...err...processed.
Yes, and you should see the methane powered truck. It has a cow in the back and this pipe connected to...
Should be a whiz.
Funny, TDI meets em now.. and been available for years....
I've got a dog that could fill your urea tank with enough to get you at least 100 miles and do it about every 30 minutes.
Actually, the TDIs do not meet the CARB standards, and consequently are not currently available new in California and the other states that use the CARB standards.
There are usually free bottles of the stuff lying on the side of the road.
The "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" crowd will love this.
EPA is pissed.
Mmmmmmmmm.....urea.
It would be especially suitable in areas with a large concentration of Sitzpinklers.
If I eat at Chipotle's often enough, I won't need the cow.
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