New York Auto Show: Mercedes shows BlueTEC fuel-sipping SUVs

omarrana submitted on 03/20/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:36 PM
from: www.egmcartech.com

Tags: Mercedes

Mercedes

New York Auto Show: Mercedes shows BlueTEC fuel-sipping SUVs

Mercedes today showed the R 320 BlueTEC (yes it’s considered an SUV), ML 320 BlueTEC and the GL 320 BlueTEC in all their diesel goodness today at the 2008 New York Auto Show. All three SUVs are equipped with AdBlue injection, which allow them to achieve lower emission and better meet the Bin 5 limits in the U.S.

Power for all three comes from a V6 diesel engine that produces 211hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. That gives the R 320 BlueTEC the ability to average a fuel economy of 18/24 mpg (city/highway). The ML 320 BlueTEC and the GL 320 BlueTEC do 18/24 and 17/23 respectively. The engine is mated with a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

Hey, if you must have a luxury SUV, might as well get one that gets good mileage, right? The three models will arrive in Mercedes’ dealerships this fall.

Click through for live images and the press release.... Read Article

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/20/2008 4:13:58 PM

+12 Boost

The RX hybrid is a $3600 premium over the RX 350 while the diesel Mercedes is only $1000 premium. And, you can get it RIGHT NOW! Hardly seems overpriced.

Beyond that, the Mercedes has a better 4 wheel drive system twice the towing capacity and great driving characteristics.

Fuel mileage isnt the end all be all of the diesel equation, I wish it were not touted as such.

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NItePhire - 3/20/2008 4:34:02 PM

+11 Boost

Not to mention they havent even offered the hybrid version of the diesel yet. Also two of MB SUV's are much bigger than the RX.

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Agent63 - 3/20/2008 5:25:14 PMView My AgentSpace

-7 Boost

Lol the GX is more of an ML competitor than the RX.

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Homer008 - 3/21/2008 12:58:25 AM

-6 Boost

Remember, Toyota's Lexus started this sigment. Give Toyota a piece of respect that it deserves. Having said that, Xeroxcool has a point. RX is not only more frugal but its also better looking. Ultra reliable in comparison to Merc or bmw which does not yet have hybrid as an option. RX is much cleaner also. Why do you think its the best selling luxury SUV in the world? You are being illogical....get real dude.

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Homer008 - 3/21/2008 1:22:52 AM

-7 Boost

wrong, Spellcheck001..
Lexus started this segment with their very first RX300. It was designed to be driven almost like a sports car..because it actually uses regular car frame instead of truck type of frame as in the Range Rover. Before RX the M wasn't even heard of and if so..very few even gave a second glimpse...well at least here in the U.S. Anyhow..you need to calm the f..k down before you give yourself a heart attack..go smoke a cigar or something.

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Homer008 - 3/21/2008 1:36:04 AM

-6 Boost

I have NEVER heard of ANYONE complaining about the Lexus RX300. Only reviews i read or hear and experienced is positive. In reference to your odd comments, I have no clue as to what you'd expect from an SUV? You talk about cornering ability and towing capability in one sentence but in my logic..that's just not feasible for a segment like this...b/c its NOT designed for towing, instead its a people carrier. Its not going to corner like a M3 or GT-R..its a damn SUV! For godsakes, are you judging an RX to a something like a ferrari and a tank? sure sounds that way.

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Lexus1555 - 3/20/2008 4:31:58 PM

-7 Boost

Would it be safe to put B20 (biodiesel) in these cars without any modification to the engine? What do you guys think?

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/20/2008 4:56:51 PM

+8 Boost

I know B5 is approved by Mercedes for the CDI and Blutec engines. I cant imagine that B20 wouldn't work but there may be warranty issues.

From Mercedes site " Mercedes-Benz USA now approves the use of B5 bio diesel (standard automotive diesel with maximum five percent bio diesel content) in all Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel (CDI) engines. As bio diesel can be refined from a variety of raw materials resulting in widely varying properties, the only approved bio diesel content is one that meets ASTM D6751 specification and that has additionally the necessary oxidation stability (min. 6h, proved with EN14112 method) to prevent damages to the system from deposits and/or corrosion.

Please ask your service station for further information. If the B5 bio diesel blend is not sufficiently labeled to clearly indicate that it meets the above standards, please do not use it. The Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty does not cover damage caused by the use of fuels not meeting Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards."

ghosthunter - 3/20/2008 7:57:59 PM

-6 Boost

good luck selling them in CA.

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huu76 - 3/20/2008 10:47:54 PM

-5 Boost

Where does it say you can get Bluetec SUVS now? The last line clearly states "The three models will arrive in Mercedes’ dealerships this fall".

If they stop at 6 cylinders, then fine. Although its not the best option out there, it's not the worst option either.

Still aiming for 1999 standards I see.
"AdBlue injection, which allow them to achieve lower emission and better meet the Bin 5 limits in the U.S."
The RX400h was Tier2Bin2 a few years ago.

Optioned out, does $2000 really matter to someone spending over $60,000 on a car?
The RX400h comes fully loaded (except NAV). I'm surprised nobody tried to say the hybrid premium was $15,000 like they did with the GS450h vs E320 Bluetec.

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Homer008 - 3/21/2008 1:06:20 AM

-6 Boost

Lexus RX400h isn't built for offroading. Its a segment Lexayota created to build something very versatile and unique at the time when it first came out and before Mercs and bmws and audis and vw and others started to jump on the bandwagon of this segment. Anyhow, In my opinion..if, I wanted buy myself a 3rd vehicle (currently i own IS250, 1988 Nissan 300zx w/255,000 miles and still have perfect compression in the engine! and runs awesome w/no leak on my t-top!!!!!) it would be a used 2003-05 RX300 to carry soccer balls and be damn proud of it.

Homer008 - 3/21/2008 1:29:22 AM

-6 Boost

Spellchecker001,
there are no such thing as a Perfect Vehicle. Having said that..Lexayota's Harrier or RX300 isn't for everyone. Do you go off roading? Would you go off roading even if your Harrier could? I wouldn't. RX was rated at very top on the safety lists since its inception as should be in this category. You've mentioned every negative crap about a RX but what about positives? Its interior are gorgeous with plush leather and solid resale values to the beautiful design. Nice and smooth like a woman's breast. Come-on you know you want a RX300 dont cha, young lad?

MichaelTaylor - 3/21/2008 4:35:51 AM

-8 Boost

Lexus makes perfect cars.

1970toyotamarc - 3/21/2008 10:53:27 AM

-7 Boost

Start deboosting me now too.

The RX400h wins this segment hands down. If this is the best these diesels can do, if this is what people have been salivating about for 2 years, and posting relentlessly about....18/24 and T2B5 huh. wow, call me impressed. not even close.

To clear up some of the nonsense posts above....

RX is direct ML competitor not the GX, Agent 63. And here's why. The ML switched to body on frame to rival the RX when they realized what a piece of crap the original ML was.

So in a sense, the RX did start this class of vehicles. There were body on frame luxury SUVs before, the ML added nothing to that mix. The RX was the first car-based luxury CUV. And when the ML got a redesign, they followed suit.

Now as for mileage. The day 18/24 is something to celebrate is the day we just sell the last of our souls to Saudi Arabia. The RX400h has been getting mid 20s mileage for 2 years now, in its first application with hybrid synergy drive. We've been hearing for so long about these amazing new diesels, and really, this is the best they can come up with.

Emissions. So finally they are T2B5 compliant, so they PASS emissions, that does not make them clean. The RX400h is SULEV, it runs cleaner than 90% of vehicles.

Someone mentioned cost. The 400h commands a higher premium over the 350, but notice how Mercedes hasnt released prices for the new diesels yet. If the current $1000 price differential between the gas and diesel MLs does not increase (perhaps double), then MBZ is dumping vehicles. Someone has to pay for the technology.

And finally, I know it make people feel good to call the RX a Harrier, but it only makes you look desperate. Keep clinging to that while the RX continues to outsell the ML 3-1.

This morning, I have just clicked through 3 articles here lamenting the woes of Toyota and 2 celebrating the glorious Mercedes. It is so ridiculous here. So, deboost away. Us Toy/Lex fans just accept it, we are vastly outnumbered on Germanspies. But that doesnt change facts. To quote Jack, "You cant handle the truth."

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1970toyotamarc - 3/21/2008 6:26:05 PM

+1 Boost

c'mon -6, you guys can do better than that. I'm feeling neglected.

TURACO - 3/21/2008 6:11:17 PM

+1 Boost

To quote Jack, "YOU can't handle the truth."
This is a Benz thread, king of cars. Nobody gives a s**t about your RX. Have you ever sat in a Benz? Do not answer. It was a rhetorical question. Man, people are clueless....

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1970toyotamarc - 3/21/2008 6:25:33 PM

+1 Boost

I dont own an RX. And I am a previous owner of a Benz, tho the mechanic had it more often than I did. If you dont think that this thread rates a comparison to the RX then you must not know much about cars. Disagree all you want. Hey, here's a novel idea, why dont you actually come up with some interesting facts, figures, opinion, analysis for your disagreement. Well....chirp chirp chirp.....I forsee crickets in my future.....

TURACO - 3/21/2008 6:39:55 PM

+1 Boost

"I forsee crickets in my future....."

It must be all the true car fans calling you out on the bs that you spit out on this site.

Anyway....

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1970toyotamarc - 3/21/2008 7:08:59 PM

+1 Boost

Again, do you actually have some facts, info or reasonably thought out opinions to share? Or just spewing negativity. I' still waiting..............

gregsfc - 3/30/2008 3:45:25 PM

+1 Boost

The BlueTECS are not yet out on the market. The press release did not give an exact date, but they will be released soon. They will be released in all fifty states and Canada upon full implementation, since there will be no barriers to these T2B5 vehicles. Probably, they'll be in the five, diesel-starved states first (NY, CA, ME, MA, & VT). MB has not stated this, but VW has stated that they would first market the new VW Jetta and Jetta SportWagen TDIs in the states that had been under a diesel ban for the last three years. I assume MB will also want to bring the clean diesels to the most stringent states first, just to make a point.

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gregsfc - 3/30/2008 3:51:12 PM

+1 Boost

Interesting that MB did not showcase the E320 BlueTEC, which is still T2B8 (forty-five state emission compliant). Although there is a special-edition BlueTec sedan that is being leased in limited numbers in CA without an AdBlue system, the other E320 BlueTecs do not meet T2B5. It makes one wonder if MB will reintroduce the E320 with an AdBlue system or if they will expand the redesigned, Lean Nox Trap system.

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gregsfc - 3/30/2008 4:05:16 PM

+1 Boost

As for the fuel economy numbers, one must remember that the EPA changed the system for '08 and we must know that these posted numbers are underrated as compared to numbers estimated for vehicles prior to model year '08. For comparison, the R320 CDI came in at 21/27 prior to '08 and 18/24 for the BlueTEC edition. Basically, an '08 and later vehicle will show 3-5 less mpg, even though these vehicles actual numbers will not change.

Having said that, I must admit that the 3.0-liter MB V-6 diesel loses efficiency when applied to utility applications (MB SUVs, Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, and Sprinter). It is best suited for mid-size sedan (E-series), where it commands a 40% fuel economy advantage over the standard, direct-injection, 3.5-liter gas engine. The diesel advantage for the SUVs are a mere, 20-25 percent.

Still, this diesel, in these vehicles have worthwhile fuel economy advantages over the gas guzzlers, plus they have the advantage of being 100% renewable fuel compatible. MB will not approve higher blends of biodiesel, because there is no ASTM standard for blends above B5, but this does not mean that a consumer cannot use any blend he or she wants in any diesel. Just make sure it is up to spec ASTM D-6751.

These diesels don't have to prove they are better than every hybrid on the market to be worthy for our market. Some Americans may prefer the low-end torque fun of a diesel with the added capability to use blends of three different renewable fuels. If some Americans want to eat apples, then the folks who like oranges shouldn't try to make us eat their fruits.

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