Mercedes-Benz debuted the new GLK compact SUV at the Detroit Auto Show in January with a 2.2L four-cylinder Bluetec diesel. For its European coming out party in Geneva, the company will reportedly fit the GLK with a diesel-hybrid powertrain. According to Automotive News, the concept will use a 204 hp 3.2L diesel V6 with a 20 hp electric motor. The motor's size implies that this is the mild hybrid system that Mercedes developed with BMW. It seems more likely Mercedes will use the same 2.2L four cylinder that was shown in Detroit. The mild hybrid system is expected to debut on production vehicles in 2009, although at this point, it's unknown when diesel hybrids will launch.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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1. That's better: diesel, hybrid... goes a long way into being really green. I'd love to see this drivetrain in a smaller, lighter, more aero car, like the C-Class. That would help bring them on par with BMW! But a full hybrid with a diesel engine, that would be the real deal. Can't be that long!
Posted at 4:30PM on Feb 25th 2008 by Carlos Ferreira