Click the ML320 BLUETEC for a high res gallery

Mercedes is expecting big things from its Bluetec badge, starting with its line of SUVs and crossovers. In fact, the German automaker expects fifteen percent of all if its utility vehicles to be sold with diesel engines. We think that figure may even be a bit low, considering that MB nearly sells that percentage already and is unable to sell the vehicles in the huge California market, among others. Though diesel prices are currently hovering a bit higher than already high gasoline prices, both Mercedes-Benz and AutoblogGreen expect that the roughly $1,000 Bluetec diesel premium will pay for itself in just over a year. When we got our first drive in the clean-diesel Benzes, we managed rather impressive mileage numbers in all three vehicles, both on the highway and in city driving.

Expect to see more of Mercedes' big diesel utes in green advertising. Stephen Cannon, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA says, "We would like to give that Bluetec logo as much cachet as the term hybrid has." That will take some major marketing push, as the word "hybrid" is synonymous with green autos for many Americans.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Now that ultra low sulfur diesel fuel has finally gone on sale in the United States, Mercedes-Benz has released the previously announced E320 BlueTec as well as new diesel versions of the R-class and the ML-class. All three vehicles use the same 3.0L V-6 common rail diesel engine. The E320 is the only one using the BlueTec system. The two SUVs along with the GL-class will get the BlueTec system with Urea injection next year. For now, the two trucks are rated at 215 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.

The E320 is rated at 27/37 mpg, the ML320 at 21/27 and the R320 at 21/28. These numbers are 40 percent, 26 percent and 32 percent better than the similar gas engined models respectively. The E320 has a 700-mile cruising range on the highway while the trucks can go 600 miles, all figures well beyond any normal human bladder endurance. All three vehicles are available in 45 states (not California and the north-east states). The Mercedes-Benz press release is after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]