Mercedes-Benz Diesel SUVs
Mercedes-Benz is revving up its U.S. market diesel push by offering its ML320 BlueTEC, GL320 BlueTEC, and R320 BlueTEC diesels to American consumers before any other market gets the vehicles. All three Benzes are powered by a 3.0-liter, 211 horsepower turbo V-6 generating 398 lb-ft of torque. Mated to Benz's seven-speed automatic transmission, all three people-movers will meet the U.S. Bin 5 standard as well the European EU6 standard, Mercedes says.
The diesel at the heart of the efficient trio utilizes Mercedes' AdBlue technology, which involves injecting an aqueous urea solution into hot, pre-treated exhaust gases. The process helps reduce nitrogen oxides -- a harmful exhaust gas found in high levels in diesels -- into nitrogen after the exhaust gasses pass through the catalytic converter. The tank carrying the solution is monitored by the engine management system. Since the tank only needs to be refilled at regular service visits, no extra maintenance is required for a GL320 BlueTEC over a GL450 or any other Mercedes SUV.