TCC Test: 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec

[Variance]

TCC Test: 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec

It's no secret that most Americans are less than fond of diesels. Past U.S.-market diesels have been clattery, smoky and painfully slow compared to gas-powered counterparts, and U.S. diesel fuel has been sticky, stinky, harder to find and little (if any) cheaper than gasoline. Unless they've traveled to Europe lately, where quicker, quieter and nearly smokeless modern diesels have become more popular than gas burners due to their higher fuel economy and lower fuel taxes, they've had little reason to change that opinion. Until now.

Read "2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec: The world’s cleanest diesel, Benz promises" @ The Car Connection

[pow]

Sweet... here's how it compares to the GS450h...

2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC

Base price: $52,325

0-60: 6.6 seconds

MPG: 27/37

Fuel tank: 21.1 gal

Weight: 3,860 lb

Emissions: Bin 8 (Bin 5 w/ AdBlue)

Trunk: 15.9 cu ft

2007 Lexus GS450h

Base price: $65,942 (includes mandatory active suspension)

0-60: 5.4 seconds

MPG: 25/28

Fuel tank: 17.2 gal

Weight: 4,134 lb

Emissions: Bin 3

Trunk: 7.5 cu ft

The Lexus contributes more to climate change while the Merc contributes more to air pollution. I'd go for the Merc myself, especially since it can run on biodiesel.

[BrewSwillis]

Plus, how long will a Diesel powertrain last compared to a hybrid powertrain??

[regfootball]

"It's no secret that most Americans are less than fond of diesels."

WHY IS THAT? that is a misleading press statement.

set aside the GM diesel fiasco (which everyone loved the GM diesels until they snapped headbolts) and we haven't had a chance to even get to know diesels! VW diesel fans love em!

All the California rags and their diesel witch hunts and the lack of govt getting us refined diesel.......Americans would love diesel its just the radicals and government never gave us the chance.

Edited September 19, 2006 by regfootball