Diesel engines continue to gain traction in the U.S. with Mercedes-Benz now announcing it plans to bring its four-cylinder diesel engine stateside as an addition to its BlueTEC diesel line-up.
Already a staple in Mercedes’ line-up in Europe, the German-based automaker will now offer a four-cylinder diesel engine in the U.S. when the GLK250 BlueTEC compact crossover goes on sale April 30, according to Automotive News.
The announcement, made at a recent press conference in New York, marks the first time in nearly three decades that Mercedes has had a four-cylinder diesel engine in United States. The carmaker already has four diesel-powered models in its USA lineup.
AN reports that the GLK250 will be equipped with an all-aluminum 2.1-liter twin-turbo diesel that will also replace a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel in the new E-class sedan due in September and the redesigned C-class sedan slated for 2015.
The last time that Mercedes offered a four-cylinder diesel in the US was in 1985.
Mercedes executives said the larger S-class sedan and the ML and GL crossovers probably won’t get the four-cylinder diesel, according to Automotive News.
With an estimate 24 mpg city and 33 highway, the GLK250 BlueTEC engine has 20 to 30 percent better fuel economy than a gasoline-powered GLK, according to AN. The 3.5-liter V6 gasoline model gets 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The GLK250 diesel, which is priced around $40,000, is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and produces 200 hp and 369 lb-ft. of torque.
Would you drive a diesel if worked basically the same a s a gas-powered car but got better mileage? Leave a comment below.
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