holtmorrison

My dealer is mum, but obviously this thing is coming...any word on when? the canadian preview catalog i looked at even showed the specs on the R320CDI...If it'll be a year or more, i'll buy now and later, but if it's going to be 2-3 months til the diesel is out, i will wait. Any words of true wisdom?

Nevada Jack

That is a $64,000 question! If I knew that the CDI would be available shortly I would also wait. It is coming! The ML and the R (and the E) could be the first ones of the new breed V6 CDI and MB has said as much. Whether they will sell it in only 45 states as the current E Sedan or wait for the low sulphur fuel to come in mid to late 2006 so they can market in all 50 states is ???? I have a hunch it will be introduced in the ML and R mid 2006 or so, perhaps as 2007 model year. Also the new V8 CDI could show up in the new S about the same time.

Not much wisdom here on this subject. If the hit is not too bad I may do the same thing in a year or two after the diesel in introduced.

Wolfgang

Hello, Mercedes has "lifted the curtain" just a little bit recently when showing the Mercedes Bionic concept vehicle in DC. That's a 2 liter turbodiesel with SCR which makes it 50 states legal, even with the very tight 2007 California diesel emission limits, and achieves 70 MPG. I know MB is testing this system in the USA at present, but don't know the exact status other than to expect a diesel in the 2006/2007 timeframe. That's still too far out for most folks..

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...ionic+mercedes

Nevada Jack

The current V8 320CDI will pass the CA emission tests if done with low sulphur fuel. That is the only thing preventing MB from selling the diesel in the 5 remaining states.

Wolfgang

Nevada Jack, the current engine in the US E320 CDI is the OM648 inline six cylinder without particle filter. Not sure if there is a version of this engine with particle filter. This engine doesn't fit in the new R-class (or M-class) as far as I know. The new diesel engine used for the world record drive in Texas is the OM642 V6 and it has a particle filter and requires low sulfur diesel. It may be clean enough for California 2007 emission limits in one of the dirtier bins and will probably be offered in the R-class in the USA by late 2006 or so. But longer term, by 2008 or 2009, it needs to make it into Tier II bin 5 which will probably require SCR. SCR has the advantage that the engine can run more efficiently thus reducing consumption around 5% or so compared to a particle filter. Another advantage is that it also works with sulfur in the fuel. But the drawback is that the AdBlue solution used for the catalytic reduction has to be renewed at every oil change. It'll be interesting.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/diesel.html
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/emit.html

Nevada Jack

WOW..you have the details for sure. Thanks for the clarification and technical information.

glojo

He should also have pointed out the new 320CDI will be a V6 and not a V8 as per your previous post.

John

Nevada Jack

My error John...I should have said "the current V6 320CDI..."

2mbusa

This body looks a lot like the Chrysler Pacifica; is there a reason for that; are they using the same body????????

Cozz

Nope, two different beasts. I love the Pacifica BTW.

Nevada Jack

Not a common part among them. Built in two different plants. Size and weight is completely different as are all the components and materials. One is a Chrysler and the other is a MB.

Nevada Jack

Just found this on a site that features MB Diesel information.

"Four diesel models in all 50 states as early as 2008."
Four Mercedes models - the E-class, M-class, G-class and new R-class are expected to be offered with diesel power using SCR with urea injection and thus be 50 states legal. "We are working really hard to have the solution ready for the new regulations that will come in 2007-2008," says Eva Lenhardt, head of technology communications for Mercedes in Stuttgart. And we've been waiting since before 2002 for an M-class diesel!
6/20/2005

2mbusa

We originaly had a 2006 ML on order to replace our 2001 ML; however, when the diesel was delayed and we also found out that MB would not offer the 3rd row seats in the 2006, not to mention current quality problems, we cancelled our order. Does anyone know if the R Class will offer 3 abreast seating in the second row thereby making it possible to seat seven??? Also, is it possible to not have the full class roof and a normal sunroof in its place? Of course we will want to wait for the diesel R Class -- thanks!

MB Fanatic

I don't think that the R class will be able to offer 3 seats in the 2nd row. Also the panoramic roof will be an option and will not be standard. I want to wait for the V8 diesel or the AMG version with either a new 6.3 litre NA engine or a supercharged 5.5 litre that is in use right now.

2mbusa

A Techey at a local MB dealer who just came back from a showing of the R Class told me that the R Class and the Chrysler Pacifica are a stretch of the ML body -- I am not sure what is going on, but from the rear the wide beam sure looks simular as does the high rear and low front styling? Could be something like the cross between the SLK and the Chrysler CrossFire??????

MB Fanatic

OMG more misinformation. The Pacifica has its own chasis and platform that Chrysler uses solely. The new ML, new G, and new R have their own platform and chasis. What the hell is wrong with people getting information out.

glojo

No modern mass produced car has had a seperate 'chassis' for years, so I would take that bit of information with a pinch of salt. The new M and G class might indeed have some similarities.

John

Nevada Jack

I am glad that "techey" is not working on my car! Agreed that mis-information flows like water on some of these forums at times.

You are correct that the R, ML and G will share the same chassies...whether it be the LWB or SWB on which model I do not know at this point. All will be built on lines in Alabama. The Pacifica is a totally different animal and is built I think in Dearborn, Michigan.

Nevada Jack

No three abreast seating in the 2nd or 3rd row. The Panoroof has the full glass roof. Whether the standard sunroof has glass or not I don't know...I would not think so?

AutoSaurus

What he meant is that all three will share the same platform; not separate unique platforms.

glojo

Ahhhhh!! Thanks very much, I was getting really confused. I think Landrover still have a seperate chassiss and the body gets bolted to it?

Regards,
John

MB Fanatic

Thanks AutoSaurus. That is what I had meant, sorry about that guys.

Smiles

The first generation M-class had a body-on-frame construction, which is a seperate "chassis".

glojo

Crikey, do you mean the ML that was built in the US?

Certainly news to me that it had a seperate chassis? I am not playing with words here, a chassis is completely seperate from the body.

**the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed:** The covering obviously being the bodywork.

Rolls Royce and Bentley being the best example of when the chassis was taken to Park Ward, or Mulliner to have a custom body made?

Regards,
John

Wolfgang

For R 320 BLUETEC questions Daimler opened this blog:

The DaimlerChrysler BLUETEC Blog
by Hartmut Schick
Head of Global Communications, DaimlerChrysler

Welcome to the DaimlerChrysler "BLUETEC Blog!" Here I am at the North American International Auto Show. It feels good to be back in Detroit - not because of the great weather, of course, but because of that very special Motown-feeling.

http://www2.daimlerchrysler.com/weblog/index.php
http://www2.daimlerchrysler.com/webl...?itemid=7#more