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[haven]

Mercedes is planning a major upgrade of its M-Class SUV for 2012, and that includes new diesel engines. The ML350 Bluetec with 3.0L V6 turbodiesel will get a boost to 450 ft-lbs of torque, up from about 400 ft-lbs in the 2011 model. The only transmission in the AWD M-Class will be a 7 speed automatic.

Also new is a 2.1L turbodiesel in the ML250. This engine will produce about 360 ft-lbs of torque, and will produce better mpg than the 3.0L diesel. This motor is found in the European version of the GLK SUV. If Mercedes decides to sell the GLK diesel here, then maybe we'll get the 2.1L diesel in the M-Class as well. There has been talk of building the GLK in Mercedes' plant in Alabama, which currently produces the M-Class SUV and the R-Class minivan.

Read more at Autoweek and Edmunds Inside Line
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/2012-mercedes-benz-m-class-shows-off-updated-design-new-diesel/
http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-benz/m-class/2012/2012-mercedes-benz-m-class-revealed.html

The Inside Line article claims the 2.1L motor gets about 12% better fuel economy than the 3.0L turbodiesel. Both are well above 30mpg in European highway tests. The EPA says the 2011 ML350 diesel with 7 speed automatic should return about 25 mpg in highway driving.

 

[SSF556]

Mercedes is planning a major upgrade of its M-Class SUV for 2012, and that includes new diesel engines. The ML350 Bluetec with 3.0L V6 turbodiesel will get a boost to 450 ft-lbs of torque, up from about 400 ft-lbs in the 2011 model. The only transmission in the AWD M-Class will be a 7 speed automatic.

Also new is a 2.1L turbodiesel in the ML250. This engine will produce about 360 ft-lbs of torque, and will produce better mpg than the 3.0L diesel. This motor is found in the European version of the GLK SUV. If Mercedes decides to sell the GLK diesel here, then maybe we'll get the 2.1L diesel in the M-Class as well. There has been talk of building the GLK in Mercedes' plant in Alabama, which currently produces the M-Class SUV and the R-Class minivan.

Read more at Autoweek and Edmunds Inside Line
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/2012-mercedes-benz-m-class-shows-off-updated-design-new-diesel/
http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-benz/m-class/2012/2012-mercedes-benz-m-class-revealed.html

I have heard that the GLK/C will have a small 4 cylinder turbo diesel in the near future in the US:wings:

 

[haven]

Here's another example of how gasoline-powered engines are approaching the power output of diesels: GM just announced that the 2012 Buick Regal GS will have a 2.0L turbocharged gas engine that produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. No word yet on fuel economy, however.

 

[whatroad]

That's interesting....we just took a trip for a few days and decided to rent a car instead of driving one of the Rovers. Anyway, they had a 2011 Buick Regal that we decided to try out. It was equipped with the eco-tech 4 cyl. I strayed away from Domestic cars over 20 years ago, but I must say, this had above expected performance and outstanding fuel economy....however, the sticker on the "B" pillar informed me that the car is manufactured at the Adam Opel plant in Germany....

 

[haven]

Right, Opel is GM's subsidiary in Europe. Opels have been sold in USA (Cadillac, Buick, Saturn) and Australia (Holden). The 2.0L turbo engine is a development of GM's EcoTech line of four cylinder engines.

 

[charlieaarons]

Here's another example of how gasoline-powered engines are approaching the power output of diesels: .

I thought it was the other way around: diesel hp outputs are approaching that of gasoline engines. Turbo-intercooled diesels have had more torque than gas engines for a long time.
But as a general rule a gas and diesel engine, with same aspiration systems and displacement - the gas engine will put out more horsepower, due to higher rpms and richer-than-stoichiometric aspiration.

Charlie

 

[Steve UK]

I thought it was the other way around: diesel hp outputs are approaching that of gasoline engines. Turbo-intercooled diesels have had more torque than gas engines for a long time.
But as a general rule a gas and diesel engine, with same aspiration systems and displacement - the gas engine will put out more horsepower, due to higher rpms and richer-than-stoichiometric aspiration.

Charlie

I think he means LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas, from memory there was a Focus racing in the BTCC British Touring Car Champs 2010. It was hit with an air restrictor it was that good.

 

[haven]

Here's another example of the EPA's under-estimating the highway mpg of diesle engines. Autoblog has started a long term test of a 2011 Jetta diesel. They have seen several tankfuls average better than 50 mpg when driving on the highway.

EPA says the 2011 Jetta diesel owners should expect 42 mpg highway.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/

 

[SSF556]

Here's another example of the EPA's under-estimating the highway mpg of diesle engines. Autoblog has started a long term test of a 2011 Jetta diesel. They have seen several tankfuls average better than 50 mpg when driving on the highway.

EPA says the 2011 Jetta diesel owners should expect 42 mpg highway.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/

I drive a 2010 ML350 Bluetec Diesel and I regularly blow the EPAs combined 21mpg out of the water....I see 28-30mpg on the highway a lot. Just did a 5500 miles trip that included a roundtrip from FL to Greenville, SC and then Greenville, SC to Denver and back. On that trip I averaged just under 26mpg and the Denver part I had a car top carrier full of camping stuff and spent a good amount above 10,000 feet.

EPA hates diesels.

 

[1911]

Here's another example of the EPA's under-estimating the highway mpg of diesle engines. Autoblog has started a long term test of a 2011 Jetta diesel. They have seen several tankfuls average better than 50 mpg when driving on the highway.

EPA says the 2011 Jetta diesel owners should expect 42 mpg highway.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/

I have a 2010 Jetta TDI, pretty sure it is the same 2.0L turbo diesel as the 2011, and I get 40-42 around town and 49-50 on the highway.

 

[Pskhaat]

Chevy? Are they bloody listening?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Sources-GM-to-sell-diesel-apf-629858216.html/print

Diesel car from GM?

 

[haven]

Nice find! GM sells diesel powered versions of the Cruze in Europe and Australia today. They produce close to 40 mpg without any special "eco" equipment.

 

[Bill Beers]

Chevy? Are they bloody listening?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Sources-GM-to-sell-diesel-apf-629858216.html/print

Diesel car from GM?

I heard about this on the radio this morning. Very encouraging! Now, if they'd just add a wagon version too...

 

[SSF556]

Do you always notice how diesel announcements are always made 2 years away...and when 2013 comes around they never produce...this is all car/truck manufacturers except MB, BMW, VW and Audi.

 

[haven]

Toyota Europe announced the specs for the 2012 4x2 HiLux pickup. The standard engine will be a 2.5L version of the D-4D turbodiesel that produces 250 ft lbs of torque and returns 32mpg on the European combined city-highway driving test.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/toyota-hilux-pickup-gets-fresh-skin-more-power-for-2012/

For comparison, the 2011 VW Amarok 4x4 pickup with 2.0L twin turbo diesel produces about 295 ft lbs of torque and returns 31 mpg in the same combined mileage test. Both VW and Toyota meet Euro V emissions standards without urea injection. Euro VI standards, that's a different story.

For additional comparison, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 makes 266 ft lbs of torque. EPA combined rating is 15 mpg.