Mercedes won’t offer a diesel CLA in the U.S., tens of BlueTEC fans despair

By Nick Jaynes October 8, 2013

mercedes not to offer diesel powered cla in the u s front end cu — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ve had a strange relationship with diesel here in the U.S.

While many of the most red-blooded Americans have embraced the riotous fuel in their full-size trucks, many are wary to adopt the technology.

Why are they so reluctant? Mostly, it’s memories of the General Motors’ 350 V8 diesel engine, which stunk and kicked like a mule and made twice as much noise.

Delightfully for us diesel fans, the Germans have been making a big push for the gasoline alternative, as they see it as efficient – and what’s more German than that?

Despite the release of cars like the GLK250 BlueTEC, Mercedes has told Car and Driver that the all-new CLA will not be receiving a diesel powerplant here in the U.S.

This is rather sad news. While we love the Passat TDI, we’d much rather have a CLA diesel in our driveway, as, well, let me put it this way: if the CLA is Genesis Rodriguez, the Passat is Sandra Bullock.

Get what I mean?

Delightfully, chances are much better that the U.S. will see a diesel-powered GLA BlueTEC. The GLA, if you couldn’t guess, is the crossover version of the CLA four-door coupe. And I think the GLA is one of the best looking crossovers in existence. It’s the Jennifer Lawrence.

So we’ve got to take the good with the bad. We’re not getting a torque-y Genesis Rodriguez but nor will we have to settle for the right-as-rain Sandra Bullock.

I’m fine with that.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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