Carsy

The Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI beat a field of 45 other cars, to take out the top spot!

C63 AMG ( petrol) Coupe took out the Performance Car over $60,000.

5 of the 13 Finalists were diesel powered.

Diesels are popular throught the world. Why not in Northern America ?. They have many advantages

See article at:
http://smh.drive.com.au/car-of-the-y...123-1nuph.html

listerone

I wish car makers other than VW would bring 4 cylinder diesels to the US.

NoFoolyn

I looked up the new 250 CDI on Google, got into Car & Driver magazine website. They tested the car, and...it remains 2.2 liter, but now with dual, sequential, turbos. Little one with cross over to bigger one? This little 4 banger has astounding torque figure ... 368 ib-ft.

WTF? My 3 liter V-6 Bluetec has 388 to 400 ib-ft ( depending on who you believe ). The 2012 ML Class Bluetec now has 450 ib-ft, so there's more there.

If Americans would JUST TRY the new diesels, they'd buy 'em. The '60's Muscle Car type torque ( down low ) is a winner, as is the quiet, and the good economy.

isstay

In States GLK will get this engine with possibility to be combined w/dual clutch trany.

listerone

Why not the C or E Class???? Damn!

DubVBenz

They have to spend a tremendous amount to get each engine/chassis coupling approved for US sale. They decide if that combo will sell and then do a cost/benefit analysis.

ImInPA

VW makes an excellent diesel. I think the new Passat is going to be another winner for them. The new Jetta TDI is simply great!!!

DubVBenz

I'm looking forward to seeing more details about BMW's Inline 6 Tri-Turbo that's supposedly making 381HP and 500Ft/lbs...

LilMsInfiniti

I agree with you completely. Funny thing is some people cant tell that its a diesel until you tell them.

ImInPA

Diesel is much less expensive to produce than gasoline. This is why it is less expensive than gasoline in virtually all countries....except the United States. Widespread adoption of the diesel engine in the US would almost over night cut our fuel consumption by 30%. Throw in bio-diesel mixture as is becoming more and more common, and, the demand drops further. To help thwart the widespread acceptance of diesels in the US, our oil industry keeps the price of diesel artificially high at the pump, often, considerably above premium gasoline.

ImInPA

As you point out, the demand for diesel is much less in the US, so, prices should be even lower in the US relative to gasoline, at least in a fair market. No matter how you rationalize it out, diesel is kept artificially high in the US. No conspiracy, just a corrupt system being exploited by big oil. I respect your right to bring your opinion, but, you cannot bring your own facts.

ImInPA

Not opposite actually. Diesel is cheaper to produce and we produce a lot of it. Some of it is used for off road, a lot is used for home heating oil, we arguably have the largest commercial trucking and marine fleets in the world. Our demand is just fine, and our supply is huge. Believe what you wish if it makes you feel better. I have too many friends in the oil and refinery world to be so duped myself. It is what it is, but, in the US the use of diesel is not encouraged by our oil companies. Not that I blame them from their perspective, but, rape is still rape.

DubVBenz

Diesel prices finally seemed to eclipse gasoline sometime around 2000 in the US. I think the low general prices of (all) fuel in the 90s, along with the general dismantling of Heavy Rail in the latter half of the century encouraged retail logistic practices to relocate their centers of operations to cheaper areas (whether it was rural US or Mexico) and began to rely on a wonderful subsidized network of interstates to run their goods. Throw in greater globalization of goods productions and the trucking industry really took off. Unfortunately, it resulted in huge demand for diesel along with damage and traffic on our interstates. When Fuel prices hit their crest, the industry was already so heavily invested in diesel big rig infrastructure that there was no turning back. The result? Higher prices for anything shipped or produced using fossil fuels. Produce gets the real double whammy because it's both produced with fuels (fertilizer) and is transported.

Anyways, my point is, the infrastructure was put in place while diesel prices were low and has disproportionately taken a greater share since. It only seems to snowball, and the icing on the cake is higher federal and state taxes on diesel (which are required to find some way to force those overloaded trucks to pay for putting wagon wheel ruts in our interstates).

ImInPA

Actually, I was buying diesel at the pump in 2004-2005 at $.70 per gallon less than regular gasoline. The facts speak for themselves.

NoFoolyn

I pulled up this thread again, with lots of new messages.

Here in Eastern Massachusetts, ultra-low-sulfur stuff was $0.12 less than premium in Aug '11. Now in DEC, it is $0.25 higher ... I'd guess making home heating oil competes with ULSD. I just took a 400 mile trip ( Interstate ) in my E Class Bluetec ( '07), At a DISCIPLINED 65 mph, I got 39.8 mpg ( both way average ). That helps offset the $0.25 differential.

Now...don't all get ticked off ... BUT, ( look up Westport Innovations on Google .... BC Canadian company that invented use of direct injection with Natural Gas ) . CAT, Deere, and Cummins are starting to build engines using this Nat Gas system. At today's current costs ( ULSD vs Nat gas ) the per mile fuel cost for 18 wheelers would be cut by 50% usng nat gas, with same over the road performance. They figure engines will go 1.5 million miles instead of 1 million with cleaner nat gas. And DPF units on big truck diesels have a better life time too. A couple of big trucking companies are trying this out .... More nat gas recharge stations are needed.

I still like the slightly diesel truck sound on my Bluetec at idle, then the gas engine sound when it is "throttled up"...and all the other benifits... like 1960's muscle car monster torque. i think diesel has nice aroma....as long as U don;t get it all over your hands or pants !!

dougiebear

Mercedes is for model year 2013 arriving in 2012 fall?

GLK and C class in Canada for sure.

Their V6 3LT is fine

dougiebear

MORE FACTS from new guy
kerosene
home(res) fuel oil
jet fuel
distillate fuel oil these are all "DIESEL"

Not fact but consider that US Air Force likely produces or controsl their own jet fuel

dougiebear

BS !!!!
All the same different grades and blends.
So until you start selling them wholesale or Production Executive or Investor. SHUT UP
Take ur head out.

dougiebear

Sorry but those are FACTS on earth and matters of chemical science. Same process etc slight variations etc
But nothing more then FACTS
You can go in the basement of an old house take that home heating oil or an airport and put jet fuel in a diesel engine and it WILL run. Real world sir sorry u can't believe this. Ur allowed ur opinion and have been the only one to disagree. Others, in the industry have yet to argue. So I presume they agree and that our time is not worth wasting anymore.
Enjoy ur New Year
Get a gas engine and live happy :o)