http://blog.caranddriver.com/mercede...ere-next-year/

Mercedes to Launch Four-Cylinder Diesel E250 4MATIC, ML250 Here Next Year

It sounds plenty conventional for today’s auto industry: Mercedes-Benz will downsize engines in two of its cars next year, replacing six-cylinder engines with turbocharged inline-fours. But this ain’t conventional—these are diesels. This is a big move for Benz, and—at least in the E-class—we think it’s going to be a home run.

Some months after the heavily face-lifted E-class debuts in January, the turbo-diesel E350 BlueTec will leave this earth. In its place, Benz will sell an E250 BlueTec with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The engine is a 2.1-liter four—the same basic unit powering the GLK250 that launches this spring—and should make 190 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, roughly in the same ballpark as the 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of the E350 BlueTec. The diesel four is more than 100 fewer ponies down on the gasoline-drinking V-6 in the E350, but it churns up almost 100 additional lb-ft of torque. We’ll only see the E250 BlueTec in AWD guise, which rams open the gates to sales success in the Northeast, where premium shoppers almost exclusively buy cars with four driven wheels. Considering the friendliness of that region and other Snow Belt zones to diesel—especially in a Benz—the E250 has a shot at being a major player.

The same engine also will find a home in the M-class SUV. We’re not sure yet whether it will supplant the ML350 BlueTec and its diesel six, or whether the ML250 BlueTec will be an addition to the range. As popular as the ML250 is in Europe, we do have some concerns about the engine motivating the ML at a pace suitable to American tastes—even if they’re diesel-friendly ones.

On a larger scale, this move shows Mercedes taking its U.S. diesel strategy in a different direction than Audi. While Benz is packing diesel fours into ever-larger cars, Audi just announced that it will be offering the A6, A7, A8, and Q5 with diesel sixes. The A8 is a cruise ship, and the A7 is positioned as a more premium vehicle, but the A6 and Q5 line up directly against the E-class and GLK/ML. BMW, so far, is splitting the difference: The 5-series will get a diesel six in 2013, while the 3-series receives a four. (We won’t see a diesel four in the C-class until the next generation hits the market in 2014.)

All of these vehicles should see better fuel-economy numbers than their gasoline brethren, but the automakers’ different approaches will bear out what kind of fuel economy/performance balance customers want.

 

Interesting.

The ML250 is available in Australia, and is being heavily discounted to clear the floor as apparently it will not sell. Probably because of its rough labouring drive at traffic speeds as it changes up to too high a gear too soon. Knowing the US desire for power, and hatred(?) for diesels, why release it unless a turnaround is forecast.

Australia still regards diesels as a sideline but we do have the choice of Audi 3.0V6 diesels in A4 A5 A6 A7A8 Q5 & Q7 and BMW 3 & 5 series 4 & 6 diesels and 7 series 6TD

We also see the C & E class with both 4 & 6 cyl diesels

To make them sell, they no longer charge a premium for diesels (ML350, B200 & C250 petrol & diesel are the same price, and I believe that continues across the range).

If they do release the ML250, it will not make a dent in ML350 sales, but rather X3, XC60 and perhaps Prius sales.

 

wife suggested she might trade her 18 month X3 for an ML250 as she is totally impressed with the 350bt I have on order......."but I don't need the 350" she said.
So, I optioned up a 250ML to similar spec as my 350 order. Guess what.....?
15k dearer.

 

I think they made a booboo.
For a direct comparison, compare a ML250EX1(plus DAP, Leather & BiXenon) with ML350SP1

ML250BT EX1 $101,313 on road Victoria
DAP 1800, Leather 3000, Lights 2000 = total $107,813

ML350BT $ 108353 on road Victoria
SP1 pack 6900 = total $ 115,253

You cannot compare base ML250BT with base ML350BT as they do not supply separately Leather seats or seat heater, Artico dash, Ambient lights or Wood grain dash.

Only possible explanation for the $15,000 difference would be if they were quoting supply and fit of these items from spare parts.

 

250BT seems well-suited to the GLK, but I can't imagine it in the ML.

 

I am not sure if North American consumers are ready to accept a 4 cylinder engine for this class of cars. For the C-class or GLK, I don't see too much of a problem; as they are the relative "budget" choice for Mercedes. But for E-class and ML-class? I am not so sure.

The 250BT engine is not bad, and very economical. Nonetheless, it is noisier with more vibration and it has less power and less torque (0-100km/h would go up from 7.4s to 9.0s for ML). Would consumer be willing to accept this compromise for a $50,000 car? Would they worry about fuel consumption that much for a E or ML class?

 

It's kindof hard to understand the reality that very little "hard facts" are available on new model/engine launches until they are actually launched for real..syndicate of silence excludes even MB dealers.

The 250 has been briefly mentioned as a possibility in (2) RWD variations of the ML - the 2-door/coupe/"crossover (a lets-erode-BMW model) and the RWD 4-door ML - again RWD ML's only whispered so far, and few whispers at that.

It will take a bit more time to know for sure - watch for the rollout when 1Q/2Q for the GLK250.. I have not heard it confirmed if they will do RWD version only or if they will allow 4matic option for GLK250's.

The whispers say is has been a split decision so far on 4matic for the GLK, but I heard it was a unanimous no for 250/4matic ML's.

This all could go a entirely different direction - only time and actual launch will tell.

Aerodynamics arfe kindof obstacles here - logic says smaller/lighter vehicle should dramatically increase fuel economy - however aerodynamics, especially length, dictate aerodynamic efficiency at speed once the front profile punches the airflow hole..

Keep the beat !

 

What do you mean? ML250 has been on sale in Europe for a while now, and you can look up all the "hard facts" you want.

Why should aerodynamics be a factor here? ML250BT and ML350BT would have very similar aerodynamics. And of course, ML250BT would have better fuel economy. The highway mileage would probably improve from 28mpg to about 32mpg by my estimation.

 

He's talking about US availability, which is not the same as ROW.

I think he's saying the 250 will have the same aero drag force to overcome with less power to do it. Mileage will definitely be better, however.

 

Well? Not if ur always booting it to get it moving. Glk is 4matic only up here. Thinking E250 may be hybrid
As the big reveal about a year ago.

 

As an ML250 driver, I can say that only reason I bought this engine was the high tax addition over 2.5 litres of engines. This is a country regulation. If this is not the situation, there is only one reason to buy this engine and it is a 20% fuel economy over ML350.
For example, in my country with the same extras ML350 costs 15,000 € (20,000 $) more.
By the way, I found ML250's power completely satisfying to my needs. I live in a very small country (island), with no motorways, and lots of speed cameras.

 

The price of ML 350 BTs will go way up on the used market. The silence of ML 210 BT sales will be deafening.

Wayne

 

Agreed. It wouldn't even have been on the radar for me.