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 ...
Diesel is about 8% more expensive than petrol where I live. Now assuming 12000 mi/year and 25mpg/33mpg for petrol/diesel, you will save a whopping $1.49 per day. I'll bet the price premium for these new Mercs is way higher than that.
Depends on where you live. Some places, it's cheaper. But there are many other advantages, including increased durability and fuel flexibility. If biodiesel becomes more practical, you're ready for it.
I would never own another Mercedes.
Some people don't like the B-Class, because it's not very sporty. But, it seems to me they miss the point. It's not supposed to be sporty; it's a mini-minivan.
The B-Class diesels gets 50-55 mpg.
Secondly, the 240D was very slow, but that was then. There were faster diesels available then, and the ones today are almost an entirely different technology, as they are clean and fast.
I have an old 300D (Turbo), and while it is not blindingly fast, it has sufficient power to get on freeways.
The new ones are faster than the gas-powered muscle cars of years past.
RE: M-Class and G-Class SUVs
Hmmmm! Very interesting!
The Deisel E class ia about the same price as the Gasoline version. AWD is not available however. The Deisel gets 37mpg Highway as opposed to 27 mpg for the gas version.
I have a friend with an older Benz Deisel, it has >450,000 miles on it.
When Congress mandated reduced sulfer Diesel hits the market they will meet the CARB standards with no modifications.
Congress not settling on its standards is why more eco friendly diesel is not yet on the market.
Really? I thought they would need particulate filters, at least, and that they are waiting for ULSD before they can do so.
I don't believe so... I think its the damn standards they are waiting on for lower sulfer fuel specs... I could be wrong.
That decision has been holding up all sorts of diesel stuff.
Californistan should be reminded it is part of the Us, but on the other hand...
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