German Car Zone

In order to boost the image of its diesel range in the U.S. Mercedes-Benz will be adding three new models to its lineup in August, all of which are equipped with the latest in Bluetec-diesel technology. The new vehicles include the ML and GL-Class (pictured) SUVs and the R-Class luxury MPV.

All three models will feature a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel with 210hp and 540Nm of torque. Thanks to the latest in exhaust filtering technology, the new diesel lineup meets California’s strict Bin 5 emissions standards as well as the future Euro 6 regulations, reports Auto Motor und Sport.

Bluetec is the name given to Mercedes’ diesel exhaust filtering system and combines ‘AdBlue’ urea-based filtering as well as a ‘DeNOx’ oxidizing catalytic converter and particulate filter to remove harmful nitrogen oxide.
The heaviest of the new models, the GL 320 CDI, returns a fuel consumption figure 24.75mpg (9.5L/100km) and can cover a range of 1,600 miles before the AdBlue supply needs to be topped up.


Source: Motor Authority >> Mercedes-Benz prepping three new diesels for U.S.

Something doesn't make sense. Adblue needs to be "topped up" every 1600 miles? That can't be right. The range should be much longer than that. 1600 miles means a trip to the dealer other month!

M

maybe they forgot an extra 0. 16,000?

Mercedes-Benz launching urea-injected diesel SUVs this fall


Urea injection will finally arrive in the U.S. when Mercedes-Benz launches fifty-state-legal diesel versions of its ML320, GL320 and R320 BlueTec models. Mercedes says these U.S. light-duty diesels will be equipped with AdBlue injection that allows them to meet this country's strict Tier2 Bin5 emissions standards. To live up to that, Mercedes will have to ensure that vehicles are shipped before BMW gets the X5 and 335d into customers hands this fall. The Mercedes vehicles are using a 3.0L turbo diesel V-6 putting out 210 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, while using urea injection (like the diesel BMWs and upcoming diesel VW Touareg and Audi Q7) to almost completely eliminate NOx emissions. Called AdBlue, it is a solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 urea that reacts with NOx to create nitrogen and water.

The urea is contained in a 7-gallon (8.5-gallon in the larger GL) tank that should only need refilling about every 15,000 miles. In addition to the urea NOx treatment system, the trio also have diesel particulate filters to eliminate almost all of the soot. With these vehicles being T2B5 compliant, that means they will also meet the future Euro6 standards. The ML- and R-class diesels will be rated at 18/24 mpg, while the heavier GL comes in at 17/23. That compares to 15/20 for the ML350 with a gasoline V6 and 13/18 for the ML550 with a V8. The E-Class sedan will also get the urea treatment in 2009 after the next generation model debuts.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/mercedes-benz-launching-urea-injected-diesel-suvs-this-fall/

I wonder what Mercedes and EPA agreed on as far as the rules for making sure owners keep their pe-pe tanks full. Whatever it is they must have reached an agreement otherwise MB wouldn't make an annoucement. This news has been a long time coming. Sales of Mercedes diesels should increase greatly at the end of the year, especially in MB's biggest market, California.

M

I just noticed that the GL and R-Class are also getting the new sound system, nav, steering wheel and nearly all the equipment upgrades the facelift ML is getting. That is great. Mercedes-Benz is getting downright fast with making changes. This will delight U.S. buyers.

M

And finally the version I want:



Notice is has the "blinger wheeler" package.

Seriously though the interior looks a whole lot better with the new steering wheel:



M