In the auto industry’s race to go green, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are pulling ahead by a few lengths with BLUETEC engine technology. Although the engine is a diesel, it’s one of the cleanest engines on the road today.
Unfortunately, people are still turned off by the word "diesel" because they believe it implies a loud, dirty, gas-guzzling engine. Here are some things you should know about the Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC diesel engine so that you can make a more informed purchase.

• The BLUETEC engine uses every drop of fuel efficiently. It uses less fuel and produces a lower amount of emissions than other vehicles. This means that it burns cleaner and is much better for the environment than a regular gasoline-powered engine.
• The 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC engine has more than 200 horsepower (210 to be exact) and 400 foot-pounds of torque power.
• The Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC is the only diesel engine that meets the California emissions standards. California’s standards are the strictest in the world, so the German automaker has really accomplished a great goal. In fact, toward the end of 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA began offering vehicles equipped with the E320 BLUETEC with a two-year lease to the state’s residents.
• With the engine’s increased fuel efficiency, drivers can get up to an extra 700 highway miles on one tank of gas.
• Mercedes plans to sue the BLUETEC in several more models for the 2008 lineup. These include the M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class.
• The BLUETEC diesel engine runs just as quietly as a V6 gasoline-powered engine. It’s not the loud roaring engine that you might think when you hear the word “diesel.”
• The International World Car Organization named the E320 BLUETEC engine the World Green Car because of its cleanliness and fuel efficiency. In short, it’s the cleanest diesel engine in the world.
• Under ideal conditions, Mercedes cars equipped with this diesel engine can get about 35 miles to the gallon.
• Cars with this engine can go from zero to 60 in a matter of about 6.5 seconds - and that’s from a standstill. This puts any car equipped with the BLUETEC on a similar level as many other sports sedans and other performance vehicles on the road.
• Because the BLUETEC is made of aluminum, it’s much lighter than other engines of similar size.
• Cars with BLUETEC typically come in vehicles with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The transmissions used in these vehicles are smoother shifting units that help contribute to the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
• The price difference in a Mercedes-Benz equipped with one of these clean-burning diesel engines and its gasoline-powered equivalence is only about $1,000. With the amount of money you’ll save in gas, the engine pays for itself within the first year or two.

You can find these BLUETEC engines and other environmentally friendly vehicles at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer. If you're in the area, please visit one of our three locations, at our: Fort Washington Mercedes dealer, Wilmington, DE Mercedes Dealer, or our West Chester Pennsylvania Mercedes dealer. Don’t let the word “diesel” fool you. The automaker achieves great accomplishments in green technology and continues to do so with upcoming models.