Mercedes 40-MPG Diesel Hybrid: Cleanest SUV on the Planet

Mercedes, Bluetec, Vision GLK, diesel-hybrid, diesel

Mercedes plans to release a diesel-hybrid SUV capable of 40 miles per gallon, with cleaner emissions than your standard car. Demo’d at the 2008 Geneva Auto show, the SUV is built on Mercedes’ relatively new BlueTec emissions control technology—a combination of catalytic converters and advanced chemical processing that scrubs out the worst pollutants produced by the diesel engine.

The 4-cylinder, 214 horsepower engine will also break the world’s record for lowest carbon emissions (157 g/km) in an SUV.

The new Vision GLK BlueTec hybrid sports a standard hybrid-electric system: An electric motor seamlessly supplements the 2.2 liter diesel engine during fuel-intensive acceleration. Regenerative braking repowers the lithium-ion batteries, and start-stop technology shuts the motor off when the car is at a dead stop.

What isn’t standard is the 40 MPG fuel economy, which beats many passenger cars but still gives SUV-hungry consumers the option. I’ve never been that impressed by sub-30 MPG hybrids (or straight 30, like the original Ford Escape Hybrid SUV) even if the industry claims the hybrid drivetrain boosts fuel economy on any model by 25%.

It isn’t clear from the story when we might expect to see this model released, but if I had to guess I would say 2010—which seems to be the year for big changes in green car technology.

Will Mercedes support a 40 MPG biodiesel SUV? Don’t count on it. At this point Mercedes only supports a B5 biodiesel blend in their common-rail (CDI) diesel engines.

Via: Ecogeek

Related Posts:

A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid

Toyota to Pioneer Hybrid Racing Technology?

Tesla’s First Electric Vehicle, 2008 Roadster, Now Under Production

100 MPG+ Plug-In Hybrids Already Available (Check ‘em Out)

About Clayton

In a past life, Clayton was a professional blogger and editor of Gas 2.0, Important Media’s blog covering the future of sustainable transportation. He was also the Managing Editor for GO Media, the predecessor to Important Media.

Comments

  1. Adam says:

    this is the first hybrid that ACTUALLY looks like your everyday car…it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb screaming at everyone to ” Look at me, I’m special because I drive greenly!” in my opinion Mercedes should rush production for the 2009 model year.

  2. Adam says:

    this is the first hybrid that ACTUALLY looks like your everyday car…it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb screaming at everyone to ” Look at me, I’m special because I drive greenly!” in my opinion Mercedes should rush production for the 2009 model year.

  3. Gilles says:

    UGLY and UNAERO! Why didn’t use that aero design derived from the boxer fish and boost the MPG even more for no extra cost. I want a slick car that still gets high MPG on the freeway at 85+MPH!

  4. Gilles says:

    UGLY and UNAERO! Why didn’t use that aero design derived from the boxer fish and boost the MPG even more for no extra cost. I want a slick car that still gets high MPG on the freeway at 85+MPH!

  5. Gilles says:

    Otherwise the Hybrid and Diesel combo rocks!

  6. Gilles says:

    Otherwise the Hybrid and Diesel combo rocks!

  7. Gilles says:

    Otherwise the Hybrid and Diesel combo rocks!

  8. Gilles says:

    I forgot to mention those trendy rims ruin your city MPG and acceleration also! Too much rotational inertia!

  9. Gilles says:

    I forgot to mention those trendy rims ruin your city MPG and acceleration also! Too much rotational inertia!

  10. mike says:

    how much will the car be

  11. mike says:

    how much will the car be

  12. mike says:

    will they make the Blu-tech diesel for all there other models including the S550

  13. mike says:

    will they make the Blu-tech diesel for all there other models including the S550

  14. Pepse Brown says:

    This is one wonderful looking machine. What else can I say. Nothing less was expected – it is a Mercedes.

  15. Pepse Brown says:

    This is one wonderful looking machine. What else can I say. Nothing less was expected – it is a Mercedes.

  16. RS says:

    I just love the GLK’s bold edges and the idea of compact SUVs run on diesel. I will be among the firsts in line to buy one when it becomes available in 2010.

  17. RS says:

    I just love the GLK’s bold edges and the idea of compact SUVs run on diesel. I will be among the firsts in line to buy one when it becomes available in 2010.

  18. Kris Beck says:

    i have one question in this set up they are running the engine and electric motor in series why don’t they run in parallel setup this would allow the car to run of the electric motor for short low speed trips, doing this would then allow them to boost fuel economy, so if any one can answer please do.

  19. Kris Beck says:

    i have one question in this set up they are running the engine and electric motor in series why don’t they run in parallel setup this would allow the car to run of the electric motor for short low speed trips, doing this would then allow them to boost fuel economy, so if any one can answer please do.

  20. John says:

    Update, please, on either the M-B GLK Diesel or Diesel hybrid.

  21. John says:

    Update, please, on either the M-B GLK Diesel or Diesel hybrid.

  22. Nizam chowdhury says:

    Could any one let me know where I could find this
    Suv

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