When you look at how good the German diesels really are, it's virtually impossible not to at least consider them in your purchasing research and test driving.
But everyone knows that the 40+ crowd suffered through many bad experiences when diesels used to be available in the USA.
So it befuddles us why Mercedes is targeting the new diesels, to people who already have a bad taste in their mouths.
Check out this snippet from Forbes describing the USA configs of the Mercedes E320 diesel...
'The E320 Bluetec is targeted at the pragmatic luxury buyer. Where the E350 Sport gets a stiffer, sportier suspension and sophisticated front disc brakes with four-piston calipers for better performance, the Bluetec has a softer ride and single-piston calipers up front. All E-Class models, fortunately, share Mercedes’ smooth, seven-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.'
The Spies say loud and clear....BIG MISTAKE!
One of the biggest rubs on these cars in the past is if you get the diesel, it's a performance dog and you give up all the power of a regular engine.
The informed know, that is no longer true but if the uninitiated wander into a Benz dealership and see the two E's next to each other, no one on earth could walk out of there thinking I've gotta have the diesel cause it looks sooo bad on those 14's (It doesn't come with 14's but the wheel it does come with looks like ASS compared to the gorgeous rim that comes on the E350 Sport). Add the AMG body kit and no one under 80 is picking the diesel.
Message to Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW...If you want people to get jazzed about diesel's again, make them look like badass performance machines and don’t make people feel embarrassed to drive them!
And don't just take it from us, let our audience tell you...please let these guys know in our blogs LOOKS MATTER!