Mercedes to offer advanced Bluetec diesels in the US in 2008

Demand for Bluetec diesels in the United States has been running ahead of Mercedes-Benz” expectations. According to a DaimlerChrysler spokesman, Bluetec diesels have been accounting for about 11 percent of monthly sales of the E class, about 15 percent of for the R class and GL class and between 17 and 19 percent for the M class.

Mercedes-Benz plans to offer an advanced version of the Bluetec diesels in the United States in 2008, which will meet the stringent emissions limits of California and five other states that follow its regulations.

If you compare Bluetec diesel models that are offered in the US to those that will be offered in Europe, European Bluetec diesels have slightly less horsepower than the US models for better CO2 emissions.

Mercedes-Benz will be launching clean-burning Bluetec diesel engines six months earlier than it had originally planned in Europe. The first car available will be the V6 diesel E-class sedan early this December, said Thomas Weber, head of research and development for DaimlerChrysler.

The earlier launch for the Bluetec diesel in Europe is made possible by the increase of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, said a DaimlerChrysler spokesman.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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