Autoblog

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Rival carmakers are in a race to develop the most efficient practical alternative powerplant solutions, with some Japanese carmakers focusing on hybrid technology, while their European rivals concentrate on developing efficient diesels. French carmakers have their advanced diesel particulate filters, while Mercedes-Benz has been leading the German advance with BLUETEC, the technology that enables the use of fuel-efficient diesel engines while reducing the comparatively higher emissions that have traditionally kept diesels out of the green books.

Mercedes was the first to bring BLUETEC to the American market with the E320 BLUETEC, soon after joined by BLUETEC versions of the R-Class, M-Class and GL-Class sport-utility vehicles, that can arguably stand to benefit from environmentally-conscious, fuel-efficient powertrain solution most. The latter was previewed at the Detroit show in January with the Vision GL 420 BLUETEC concept. Following on the same formula, Mercedes showcased its new C-Class with the Vision C 220 Bluetec at last week's Geneva show.

The "Vision" moniker designates this as a production preview showcar, as opposed to the design studies and styling language concepts displayed by other carmakers. This concept, details of which we brought you in advance of the show, slips a new four-cylinder diesel into the new C-Class, which has already sold over 55,000 units since its introduction in January. The smart money is on Mercedes putting the concept's 2.2-liter diesel engine, with its 170 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, behind the sportier grille in the new C-Class sometime after it hits the US market in September.

Follow the jump for the full press release, and be sure to check out our high-resolution image gallery below, including shots of the Vision C 220 BLUETEC concept from the Geneva show floor, and the freshly-updated gallery of the new C-Class below that.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC Concept

Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class