gocargo

According to http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan08/0..._Freeside.html "..you'll be able your get your hands on a new GLK.. in Europe in the fall of 2008 followed by the U.S. launch in January 2009." But those whom desire this motor may want to do a bit of research. Bluetec utilizes a complicated emissions system that's WAY unlike previous MB diesel cars. There's 3 elements which might effect owners driving habits.

One's the introduction of carbamide solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust system, which is stored in a seperate on-board tank. http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom...0-0-0-0-0.html According to the article, this fluid is depleted to the tune of 1-quart per 625-miles driven and is dealer-only refillable. If the AdBlue runs out, your dash lights will come on and you may need to be towed to the nearest MB dealer for a refill regardless whether it's time for an A or B service.

Furthermore, carbamide solution "freezes at 29*F. What system does MB have in place to keep the AdBlue tank and hoselines from freeing when we park our BlueTec vehicle overnight (or days) outside during the winter? I suspect that under those conditions, we'll have to engage the electrical system so it can warm the hoseline and AdBlue tank as to thaw the carbamide solution before the engine will start. How much time will this take

Lastly, there's a lean-rich operation which is designed for the periodic rejuvination one of the 3 catalysts. I believe this process to be a super-heating of the exhaust similar to how the '07 cummins ram truck's exhaust operates.. which there's been some troubles, especially if you don't take extended expressways drives or long open country roads. Real trouble of you frequent in-town and stop-n-go driving habits.

So Bluetec owners need to get used to the idea of paying a bit more for A & B service. I wonder how much per quart for AdBlue at 10 quarts per 6000 miles I am no expert, just done abit of reading on this new Bluetec engine and putting it all together.

chilledbenz

Wonder how long before they adopt something similar to what Honda is going to use for their diesels. It doesn't require any additives to make it clean, has something to do with a new type of exhaust system. Hate to find out how much this AdBlue solution is going to set you back. Anyone with a current Bluetec E class that might be able to shed some info on that?

gocargo

Very exciting times, MB is claiming nearly 45 mpg on their upcoming C class Bluetec 200 engine.. plus the ML 450 Hybrid already shown in Detroit, wow.

KiwiRobbie

Woopee that's pretty poor really, I already average 44 mpg day to day, open road driving I average 50mpg in a 2007 C200 CDI. A new BMW 320d will average over 50mpg city and close to 60 open road, this new adblue thingo is a load of rubbish, MB hasn't thought this through properly. I hate to think what the adblue will cost you to top up, I think it's a lame duck solution to a problem which conventional thinking ie BMW's stop start technology could solve.

gocargo

I agree that this Bluetec system is potentially problematic, costly and definately inconvenient (hence my warning in the above original post) BUT I disagree with your lackadaisical attitude towards MB proposed fuel estimates. MB is promising DOUBLE the MPG figures for North America in the C class, which IS remarkable. Yes, your european C has exceptional MPG but at a much higer pollution standard than is permissable here in the states. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.d...enz&model=C230

nantucketsleigh

I wonder how the EPA will react to an emission system that will require a substantial consumer expenditure every 6 mos. to remain effective.
Do you the EPA might make that kind of maintenance mandatory at no charge.

gocargo

I promise you the EPA has never cared about the enviroment of my wallet maybe Soil and Conservation or the EPD, not the EPA

chilledbenz

There are a couple manufactors using a similar setup with injecting a chemical into the exhaust. When there is a technology already invented that wouldn't require the extra chemical or cost, why not use it? I could blame this on competition, but if its so good for the environment maybe someone should step in and let them all share this technology? I'm sure that if your in the market for a Mercedes your going to go with the Bluetec and not even look at a Honda, even if it doesn't require extra cost to maintain, so why not just share it?

lkchris

Yes, Mercedes developed it, BMW and VW are also using it.

gocargo

Uh, Mercedes didn't develop the carbamide solution/nitrous oxide reducing exhaust system MB is only the first to integrate it into non-commercial motor vechicles.

Funny thing though, this AdBlue solution is actually ureain other words ****, urine, pee or wiz.

So, no worries about the cost of the AdBlue folks, us men can lean over and fill the tanks ourselves

oknish

Will that void the warranly?

Txhurdle

Thanx for getting me weird looks at work as your comment caught me off guard and was laughing out loud.

oknish

Glad I could help And, think of weird looks you will get when you lean over to "gas up" your new Bluetec GL

clint999

I promise you the EPA has never cared about the enviroment of my wallet maybe Soil and Conservation or the EPD, not the EPA

FFemt5287

nope, just void ur bladder!

MTI

bubble bursting . . . the earliest a GLK diesel will be available, might be late '09

DerekACS

In fact, the suggested intro date for a 4 cylinder Bluetec version will be calendar year 2010. The same engine will appear in the C250 Bluetec. The GLK V6 diesel offered in Europe is highly unlikely to make it to NA; it would steal too many sales away from the ML 320 Bluetec.

Rennsport

So, does this mean we have to have these decals pissing on our own car?

DerekACS

It has become clear to me that the Bluetec engine version for both the C Class and GLK will be the same engine. This rules out the V6 diesel currently offered in the E320 and ML, GL and R Classes.

Instead of the V6, NA will see the new 4 cylinder, 2143 cc OM651 engine which is being built in three stages of tune : 134bhp, 168bhp and 201bhp. The likely choice for NA will be either the mid-version 168bhp engine with 295lb ft of torque or the most powerful 201bhp version. Both of these versions offer two-stage turbocharging. The latter engine produces 369lb ft of torque @ 1600 rpm. This engine is currently offered in Europe as the C250 CDI Blue Efficiency or the GLK 250 CDI Blue Efficiency.

There has been no official word from MBUSA as to which version of the new 4 cylinder diesel engine will offered for NA as a Bluetec diesel in both the C Class and the GLK. Perhaps by late 2009, an announcement will be forthcoming.

scootr29

Urea is going to be very prevalent in the years to come. Detroit Diesel/Mercedes heavy and medium engines, Cummins heavy and medium duty engines, Volvo heavy duty engines will all utilize urea starting in 2010. International is holding out, but rumour is they will need to use urea to meet 2010 emissions.

The freezing issue will be addressed by all OEM manufacturers. It is now up to all the urea distributors to realize the affects cold temps have on urea.

I have heard that urea will be half the price of the going rate of diesel. It will be available in different size containers so if you happen to go empty you can refill to avoid a tow.

Urea has been used in Europe for the last 2 years (adblue) so there is some experience with it in heavy duty applications.

It will be interesting to see if Mercedes brings the 4 cylinder to NA...there is a perceived decrease in value for Americans when they think 4 cylinder. Us gearheads realize the coolness of the 4 cylinder, but the Mercedes customer may not.

DerekACS

You raise an interesting point about the acceptability of 4 cylinder diesels in NA.

For VW at least, this has not been an issue, especially in Canada where long wait lists exist for those wanting to purchase a new VW with a 4 cylinder turbo diesel.

With respect to MB, I have been told by an informed source that the V6 diesel will not be offered in the GLK for NA, only a 4 cylinder diesel is being considered. The diesel V6 versions of the ML, GL and R Class (now called Bluetec with the adBlue tank) have been very popular in Canada, accounting for about 66% of sales for these three models. In the US, however, the diesel share is only about 20% for the same models.

Why the enormous difference in diesel sales between Canada and the US, you might ask ? One reason is the huge price discrepancy between premium gas and ULSD, sometimes as much as 75 cents per gallon last summer (eg. California). This premium price (or if you prefer, price gouging) for diesel has been much greater in the US than in Canada.

In addition, it is only the recent addition of the Bluetec version to the ML, GL, and R Classes that has permitted them to be sold in the most restrictive states like California, where the Japanese lobbyists have been very persistent in trying to keep the German diesels at bay.

I have no doubt that the GLK will be offered with a 4 cylinder diesel in NA, but not for at least another year while homologation issues are resolved.
When this occurs, it is most likely that the 4 cylinder diesel version will be offered at a lower price than the GLK350.

jhcicco

My wife and I like the looks of the GLK and we are thinking of getting one when my F150 goes to truck heaven. I would inherit her GL320 and she would get the GLK. The fact that MB will offer it with a 4 cylinder diesel makes the GLK more enticing.

compress ignite

For the "Noodleheads" in Montvale,NJ and Stuttgart Germany to send the
BlueTec Hybrid model of the GLK over to North America.
4 cylinder,non-symmetrical twin turbos,CDI type engine WITH Electric Hybrid
Drive...50MPG Hwy.

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting...

compress ignite

Montvale + Stuttgart do not want/care to hear from us on this matter...
They've decided to bring in the Petrol version and we should shut our
mouths and open our Pocketbooks/Wallets and buy the Petrol
version without any further whining.The Implication is,IF enough Petrol
versions are sold "They" MIGHT consider shipping the Hybrid to N.A.
(I don't know how much of this has to do with production capacities of
the 2.2 Bluetec Hybrid drivetrain...Remember, North America is always
LAST in priorities."THEY" know they can sell as many as they can produce
to the EU and Asia,Africa,Australia.AND the pricing structure used outside
the US guarantees MB MUCH larger profits per unit sold.)

mbwestminster

The GLK BT will not be here for a while. We will see the 2WD Glk by summer, and the BT "maybe" end of year or beginning of 2010