Just -Auto reported yesterday that Mercedes-Benz could have a Bluetec diesel-electric hybrid variant of ithe M-Class on sale in the UK within the next two years. The system would probably leverage a 3.2L six-cylinder Bluetec engine in conjunction with the 2-Mode hybrid system developed jointly with BMW and GM. Fuel economy is expected to be around 40 mpg (we're assuming this measurement is in the UK's larger Imperial gallon) and CO2 emissions would likely be under 200g/km.
That would help cancel out some of the anti-SUV sentiment toward such a vehicle in UK and European markets. Now, while Mercedes wouldn't confirm that any plans for a green powertrain like this exist, Just-Auto expressed confidence in its source. Hopefully, assuming this comes to fruition, the system would comply with US standards and regulations as well, and help lead the way towards more fuel-stingy yet powerful diesel hybrid systems in the future.
[Source: Just-Auto (sub req'd)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRodzNKustoms @ Apr 17th 2007 8:21PM
If it is in UK Imperial gallons that is roughly 34 US miles to the gallon. Still a hell of a lot better than I got in my 12mpg ML430.
Frank @ Apr 17th 2007 8:43PM
I don't know if the math is wrong but wouldn't it be 40 gallon [UK] = 48.037 996 817 gallon [US, liquid]?
rlopees @ Apr 17th 2007 10:43PM
God I hope it's awd. Can you imagine the torque?
Barney @ Apr 18th 2007 12:17AM
My conversion shows 33.3 MP(US)Gal. Not bad with the heavy weight of a diesel hybrid.
66coronet @ Apr 18th 2007 3:00AM
Who rights this stuff and why do they always get the size of the motor wrong?
The 3.2L crd I-6 is gone, history. The new v-6 is 3.0Lcrd that comes in two power levels. The 280 CDI lower affordable class has reduced power and the 320 CDI has the upper power rating. In this case the ML320 CDI is 221 hp, 398 lb-ft/510Nm. ML280 CDI 190 hp and 440 Nm/325 lb ft
I assume the new hybrid will be the ML320CDI hybrid. Since the writer made the mistake of saying it's a 3.2L.
wally @ Apr 18th 2007 7:37AM
Who does the math?????????
40 gallon [UK] = 48.037 gallon [US, liquid]
Tal @ Apr 18th 2007 7:45AM
Hats off to Mercedes and I believe VW also....diesel hybrids......probably one of the best and simpilist ways to increase MPG usage and decrease overall petroleum based fuel consumption.
There are other fuel sources and other means of powering a vehicle but diesel,with the new "cleaner" tecnnology, plus the secondary electric power source
are available now...neither are in the developmental stages. I would hope both will continue to be refined for further improvements for the future.
We can also hope the "alternative" fuel and power sources being developed and tested will one day become an affordable reality for the general public to purchase. Who knows what other technology will be available in the coming years......in the mean time...
Bring on the diesel hybrid M-B(VW too,maybe) and make it availble in more than the SUVs.
Barney @ Apr 18th 2007 4:50PM
"6. Who does the math?????????
40 gallon [UK] = 48.037 gallon [US, liquid]"
Canada has been in the metric system for years now but had used the imperial measure. For us old guys, we still have to convert. The US gallon is smaller then the Imperial gallon and thus you can't get more MPG on a smaller gallon. Personally I use the "Calculator Plus" to do my math. There are 6.6 imperial pints in a US liquid gallon.
Barney @ Apr 18th 2007 4:53PM
Re 8.That's not right either, Sorry!
Barney @ Apr 18th 2007 4:58PM
Okay! I converted (1) US liquid gallon to (1)UK gallon and got .88. That still makes th US gallon smaller then the imperial. A liter is closer to the US pint.