DETROIT — Driven by demand for fuel-efficient cars, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch four models powered by clean diesel engines in the U.S. as early as 2008.
Industry watchers regard this as a significant move toward diesels by European manufacturers, at a time when Asian manufacturers such as Toyota are betting on gasoline-electric hybrids such as the Prius sedan.
Four Mercedes models — the E-Class sedan, M-Class and G-Class SUVs and the new R-Class wagon — are expected to be offered with diesel engines, according to Automotive News. The Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee also could get diesel powertrain options.
Diesels generally deliver about 30-percent greater fuel economy than gas engines and about the same fuel-economy gains as a hybrid. Mercedes plans to meet stringent new emissions standards that require diesels to run as cleanly as gas engines with an injection system that shoots urea — an ammonialike acid — into the exhaust system.
Jeff Bell, vice president of Chrysler and Jeep, told Inside Line consumers are beginning to accept diesel-powered vehicles, such as the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD. "Technology has reduced the noise, the smell and the black smoke," he said. "Diesel has surprised us. People are slowly coming around to the idea of diesels because of the improvements."
What this means to you: Diesels are a popular way of getting better mileage and maintaining top performance among the Europeans. Now, there will be more diesel options in your future, according to Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler. Keeping vehicle prices down may give diesels an advantage over pricier hybrids.
Industry watchers regard this as a significant move toward diesels by European manufacturers, at a time when Asian manufacturers such as Toyota are betting on gasoline-electric hybrids such as the Prius sedan.
Four Mercedes models — the E-Class sedan, M-Class and G-Class SUVs and the new R-Class wagon — are expected to be offered with diesel engines, according to Automotive News. The Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee also could get diesel powertrain options.
Diesels generally deliver about 30-percent greater fuel economy than gas engines and about the same fuel-economy gains as a hybrid. Mercedes plans to meet stringent new emissions standards that require diesels to run as cleanly as gas engines with an injection system that shoots urea — an ammonialike acid — into the exhaust system.
Jeff Bell, vice president of Chrysler and Jeep, told Inside Line consumers are beginning to accept diesel-powered vehicles, such as the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD. "Technology has reduced the noise, the smell and the black smoke," he said. "Diesel has surprised us. People are slowly coming around to the idea of diesels because of the improvements."
What this means to you: Diesels are a popular way of getting better mileage and maintaining top performance among the Europeans. Now, there will be more diesel options in your future, according to Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler. Keeping vehicle prices down may give diesels an advantage over pricier hybrids.
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