Mercedes 40-MPG Diesel Hybrid: Cleanest SUV on the Planet
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.
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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
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April 17th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
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June 18th, 2008 at 2:04 am
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July 1st, 2008 at 8:47 am
[...] Cleanest SUV on the Planet: 40-MPG Diesel-Hybrid Wow apparently MB is releasing the worlds most fuel efficient SUV, obviously MB is onto something with its green initiative, article below: Mercedes will release a diesel-hybrid SUV that gets a whopping 40-MPG. The new emissions control system (called BlueTec) also makes it the cleanest SUV on the planet. Add the latest in emissions-control technology, and this vehicle breaks the world’s record for lowest carbon-emitting SUV. Now, if they would just let us put biodiesel in it….. Read more – Cleanest SUV on the Planet: 40-MPG Diesel-Hybrid [...]
July 30th, 2008 at 1:05 am
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.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:29 am
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!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:30 am
Otherwise the Hybrid and Diesel combo rocks!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:31 am
I forgot to mention those trendy rims ruin your city MPG and acceleration also! Too much rotational inertia!
August 13th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
how much will the car be
August 13th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
will they make the Blu-tech diesel for all there other models including the S550
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 pm
This is one wonderful looking machine. What else can I say. Nothing less was expected – it is a Mercedes.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:44 am
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.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
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.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Update, please, on either the M-B GLK Diesel or Diesel hybrid.