Back with GL 420 Bluetec
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Newbie
Joined: May 2007
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From: Madrid, Spain
BMW 535d - MB V220 CDI
Back with GL 420 Bluetec
Hi Guys,
Again with this issue, but I am really anxious for it.....
Does any of you have any more and concrete regarding when GL 420 Bluetec will be on the US market?
When will MB accept new orders for it?
Saludos!!
Again with this issue, but I am really anxious for it.....
Does any of you have any more and concrete regarding when GL 420 Bluetec will be on the US market?
When will MB accept new orders for it?
Saludos!!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I think you may see it sometime in mid-2008. It must first be approved by the government to meet air standards and since it will probably be a 50 state system meaning Urea injection, the infrastructure to support the Urea must be in place. This all will take time. These are only guesses based on information available right now.
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From: NC
'07 Carrera S, '31 A 5W hot rod, 4Runner. Sold CLK55
I've been waiting for this truck since it's debut at the NY show. Autoweek just reviewed the ML320 and one reviewer declared it the best ML he's driven with an average of 27 MPG!. I'm hoping for the same with the GL, more torque, more MPG.
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From: Barmet Bay, NY
1972 Chevy Vega 2300 - Panel Express
GL320 diesel has 398lb-ft torque and can tow 7500lbs...why pay $7000 more for two extra cylinders on a car without the possibility of getting the Off-Road package?
Last edited by GL Fahrer; Jun 24, 2007 at 04:35 PM.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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As far as a "future" for it I think it could displace the demand for the 550. It will be a rocket off the line with torque to spare and mileage to make many luxury SUV owner's happy.
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Glad to see it cooled down to 105 today in Vegas. Denver set a record of 100 if you can believe that. Leadville? A nice, cool and comfortable 76 today. Incredible summers up there, but brutal winters.
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
As far as a "future" for it I think it could displace the demand for the 550.
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From: Barmet Bay, NY
1972 Chevy Vega 2300 - Panel Express
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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You speak with such authority GL Faher...what are your sources for these "facts." Have you not read of the Hybrid Diesel that MB is developing? Have you not seen the cooperative effort with Bluetec among German makers and the articles claiming 2010 will be the beginning of the diesel surge? Why would MB (and others) not introduce a V8 diesel in US vehicles?
Last edited by Nevada Jack; Jun 25, 2007 at 09:37 AM.
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
In my opinion the 420 Bluetec will not be the only V8 to come to the US but BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and RangeRover will also be selling them. Diesel technology is advancing and will be absolutely necessary for makers to reach future CAFE standards in their fleets. Initial entrants will all be V6 in an effort to re-educate the US market with the new diesels. When the V8's will come is a guess but they will certainly come.
You speak with such authority GL Faher...what are your sources for these "facts." Have you not read of the Hybrid Diesel that MB is developing? Have you not seen the cooperative effort with Bluetec among German makers and the articles claiming 2010 will be the beginning of the diesel surge? Why would MB (and others) not introduce a V8 diesel in US vehicles?
You speak with such authority GL Faher...what are your sources for these "facts." Have you not read of the Hybrid Diesel that MB is developing? Have you not seen the cooperative effort with Bluetec among German makers and the articles claiming 2010 will be the beginning of the diesel surge? Why would MB (and others) not introduce a V8 diesel in US vehicles?
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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I believe a V8 will be required for mass appeal in the US. Even though the torque numbers will be excellent, a majority of US buyers (IMO) will not be able to get past the V6 vs V8 mindset. Not too many regular guys would brag about getting the new V6 to their buddies who have gas V8's. I may be off base on this, but I think it will be a perception thing.
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From: Barmet Bay, NY
1972 Chevy Vega 2300 - Panel Express
The perception factor (above) does not drive long-term sales.
M-B can only sell CDI in 42 states for MY2008, and even less in 2009.
This is what necessitated the development of a 50 state compliant Bluetec on the V-6
I'm sure that the 320 BlueTec will margionally get the M-B line into compliance, and a 420 engine would only hurt them.
If people just want a bigger car badge, then by all means get a 550. But if you want diesel with decent mileage and the same towing capacity, then stick with the V-6.
What's more, there is no competitive pressure on M-B for a different diesel and the cost of a V-8 diesel just doesn't make sense to the typical GL buyer. Check out the prices in Europe...why would a "badge conscious" American buy a 420 when there is a 450 cheaper and a 550 priced the same?
It may be cool, but the 420 is not necessary in the U.S.
Just my $.02
M-B can only sell CDI in 42 states for MY2008, and even less in 2009.
This is what necessitated the development of a 50 state compliant Bluetec on the V-6
I'm sure that the 320 BlueTec will margionally get the M-B line into compliance, and a 420 engine would only hurt them.
If people just want a bigger car badge, then by all means get a 550. But if you want diesel with decent mileage and the same towing capacity, then stick with the V-6.
What's more, there is no competitive pressure on M-B for a different diesel and the cost of a V-8 diesel just doesn't make sense to the typical GL buyer. Check out the prices in Europe...why would a "badge conscious" American buy a 420 when there is a 450 cheaper and a 550 priced the same?
It may be cool, but the 420 is not necessary in the U.S.
Just my $.02
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by GL Fahrer
The GL420 Bluetec Vision you saw at DAS was a "Vision" car from Germany and will not be coming to the U.S. (or any other V-8 diesel)
Originally Posted by GL Fahrer
It may be cool, but the 420 is not necessary in the U.S.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
So what is it? A fact or your opinion? You have a right to your opinion, just as everyone else. But when you state your opinion in factual terms without information to back it up then it causes simple minds like mine to get confused.
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From: South of the Mason Dixon, North of the Gulf
2007 GL 320 CDI, 2008 M5
I agree that there is no need in the US for a V8 diesel and that the GL 320 is a great truck. It is difficult to see why there would be enough market appeal in the US to pay at least as much (maybe more) for a 420 than a 550 when the 320 is selling well.
It seems that selling two diesels would not be a good marketing move for another reason: wouldn't sales of two models cannibalize sales from each other as well as from the gasoline models? The only marketing move that does make sense is to discontinue the 320 in the GL, but again selling only the GL420 pushes the truck past GL 450 price territory into 550 range.
As for bragging rights about a V6 SUV, I quieted my neighbors' chuckles with a test drive.
To be honest, I hope to avoid the temptation of a 420 if it does come here by not driving it!
It seems that selling two diesels would not be a good marketing move for another reason: wouldn't sales of two models cannibalize sales from each other as well as from the gasoline models? The only marketing move that does make sense is to discontinue the 320 in the GL, but again selling only the GL420 pushes the truck past GL 450 price territory into 550 range.
As for bragging rights about a V6 SUV, I quieted my neighbors' chuckles with a test drive.
To be honest, I hope to avoid the temptation of a 420 if it does come here by not driving it!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I agree that there is no need in the US for a V8 diesel and that the GL 320 is a great truck. It is difficult to see why there would be enough market appeal in the US to pay at least as much (maybe more) for a 420 than a 550 when the 320 is selling well.
It seems that selling two diesels would not be a good marketing move for another reason: wouldn't sales of two models cannibalize sales from each other as well as from the gasoline models? The only marketing move that does make sense is to discontinue the 320 in the GL, but again selling only the GL420 pushes the truck past GL 450 price territory into 550 range.
As for bragging rights about a V6 SUV, I quieted my neighbors' chuckles with a test drive.
To be honest, I hope to avoid the temptation of a 420 if it does come here by not driving it!
It seems that selling two diesels would not be a good marketing move for another reason: wouldn't sales of two models cannibalize sales from each other as well as from the gasoline models? The only marketing move that does make sense is to discontinue the 320 in the GL, but again selling only the GL420 pushes the truck past GL 450 price territory into 550 range.
As for bragging rights about a V6 SUV, I quieted my neighbors' chuckles with a test drive.
To be honest, I hope to avoid the temptation of a 420 if it does come here by not driving it!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Absolutely none at this point. An S420 would be a logical choice but also they are working on a hybrid which would also be a possibility in the S. I would think they may start with the SUV models and work from there based on acceptance. They did show the GL420 Vision in Detroit and NY? Depends a great deal on what the competition does also.
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From: Atlanta, GA
With gas prices not showing any signs of dropping significantly, Americans have already used their checkbooks to send out a signal that they want better fuel efficiency...just look at how the sales of Expeditions etc, have dropped like a brick. Hybrids (to date anyway) have not proved to be the "be all, end all" technology that it was thought it would be. E85 hasn't quite taken off yet either. But Americans have an insatiable appetite for big roomy SUV's AND an insatiable appetite for power...and few are willing to give a "station wagon" (R-Class, E-Class, Ford Freestyle, etc.) a second look. The car magazines are already saying that there will be a huge wave of diesels introduced between now and 2010. So IMHO, given the fuel economy and torque of diesels, and the relatively low purchase premium for the technology, I think once the American public catches on that these new diesels aren't the smoking, clattering, slow behemoths that the old generation diesels were, they'll start selling like hotcakes. I think there will be a huge demand for various diesel engines in the same model line, as these different engines correspond to different price points.
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
When Car&Driver tested the 2007 E320 they got 34mpg despite very aggressive driving. If an S420 got around 30mpg in normal driving it would be hard to resist. Likely its performance would equal or exceed that of the rumored S450 with a range circa 700 miles. The principal risk would be stealing from the S550.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Where's the "Getting off my soap box" emoticon here?
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
If I could buy a 420 that got 30mpg, I'd trade my 5 week old 450 today. I don't think a 420 would have to cannabalize sales from any other model. The more options a company offers, the more potential buyers it can attract. I see much more of a market in the long term for a 420 than a 550. This market would not have to come from potential 550 buyers - it could be converts from other makes that do not want gas but want a V8. If MB was the first to market a V8 diesel, I think Vance would get even further behind.
