Autoblog

UPDATE: Our man Sam from AutoblogGreen was kind enough to inform us that these new Benz's are on sale now, however, are only available in 45 states. The E320 is the only vehicle that will come equipped with BLUETEC and urea injection currently, while the others are utilizing a common rail setup. All will come equipped with BLUETEC and urea by 2008.

Hot on the heels of the widespread adoption of new diesel throughout the U.S. last week, Mercedes has announced the impending arrival of three BLUETEC equipped models.

The ML320 CDI SUV, the R320 CDI, tarted-up minivan and the E320 BLUETEC will all come equipped with a three-liter V6 diesel that will make upwards of 200 HP and close to 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Mercedes contends that these new diesels will provide the pull of a V8, yet return mileage numbers comparable to a four-cylinder.

The E320 BLUETEC sedan will chug happily along for over 700 miles before it needs more go juice, returning 40 percent better fuel economy when matched up against a comparably equipped E-series. The ML320 CDI increases its fuel mileage by 28 percent and the R-class will get a 32 percent bump in fuel economy.

These new engines claim to meet the world's most stringent emissions standards and should begin arriving on U.S. shores soon.

Click on through for MSRP's on each model, along with the EPA mileage figures.

PRESS RELEASE

MERCEDES-BENZ launches three new diesel-powered models

Quiet, Strong Diesels Power Mercedes-Benz Sedan and Sport Utilities

MONTVALE, N.J. – Today Mercedes-Benz is launching three new models powered by new-generation diesel engines that are impressively quiet, clean and fast. As earlier-technology diesels are disappearing from the U.S. market, Mercedes-Benz is announcing the availability of the ML320 CDI, a mid-size sport utility with a suggested retail price of $ 44,455; the R320 CDI, a six-passenger luxury vehicle priced at $ 44,775; and the E320 BLUTEC, a full-size luxury sedan that begins at $ 52,325 (all three prices include a destination charge of $775).

The new diesel vehicles are powered by an innovative three-liter V6 diesel engine that combines the impressive torque of a V8 engine with the great fuel economy of four-cylinder engines. The new R320 CDI and ML320 CDI make 215 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft. of torque, while the E320 BLUETEC produces 208 and torque of 400 lb.-ft. All three models are fitted with the latest CDI electronic fuel injection, and the E320 BLUETEC features new emission control technology that holds the potential to meet the world's toughest clean air standards.

Aided by its aerodynamic styling, the E320 BLUETEC boasts a whopping 40 percent better fuel mileage than a comparable gasoline-powered model, and its EPA city/highway rating of 27/37 miles per gallon means the luxury sedan can cruise more than 700 miles on a single tank of fuel. With a city/highway rating of 21/28 mpg, the R320 CDI gets 32 percent better fuel economy, while the ML320 CDI sport utility (rated at 21/27 mpg) provides a 26 percent improvement. Both CDI models have a cruising range of well over 600 miles before refueling.