Diesel Car Preview for 2014-15 – The Diesel Driver – The Joy of Diesel Driving

2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTec

The big news from the company that invented the passenger-car diesel in 1936 is the new 2014 E250 BlueTec 4Matic. Powered by a 190-horsepower 2.1-liter four-banger turbodiesel that develops 369 pound-feet of torque, it comes standard with the Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, unlike the E350 BlueTec sedan it replaces, where 4Matic wasn’t even an option.

The Mercedes SUV line-up will soon be joined by the 2013 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, which has the same engine as the 2014 E250 BlueTec. The EPA has not yet released fuel economy figures, but the GLK250 is rated at 36.1 mpg (6. 51 l/100 km) in the combined EU cycle (city and highway). It is only available with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and should start appearing at dealerships in the spring.

Mercedes already introduced the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, which provides a welcome refinement of the interior, along the lines of the smaller ML350 BlueTec, and both now have an updated version of the automaker’s venerable diesel V-6. The engine’s output is increased from 210 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque to 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque.

The S350 BlueTec will be all new for 2014 as well (details not yet disclosed) and the C-Class, scheduled for a complete redesign in 2015, should make it to these shores with a diesel version as well.

PORSCHE

Porsche Carrera Diesel, new for 2013

Last year, Porsche became the fifth automaker to bring diesel cars to the U.S. with the debut of the Cayenne Diesel.  This model has been sold in Europe since 2009 and the same 3.0-liter V6 has also been offered in the Panamera grand tourer, although there are no plans at this time to bring that model to the U.S.

The midsize SUV is powered by the 240 horsepower V6 turbo diesel, which develops 406 pound-feet of torque. The Leipzig, Germany-built Cayenne and its diesel power plant are related to corporate cousins the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. The car is propelled from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 135 mph.

The Cayenne Diesel is rated at 20 mpg (11.8 l/100 km) in the city and 29 mpg (8.11 l/100 km) highway.  Based on this, its range can be as much as 765 miles (1231 km) on one tank of fuel. The Cayenne can also tow up to 7,716 pounds (3,500 kilograms), which will be significantly easier with the added torque the diesel engine provides.

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