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2013 GLK 250 BlueTEC Diesel SUV

This is what diesel does for you – an quick gasoline economy gain of 25 per cent or so. Sometimes more, by no means less. True, the three02-hp V-6 within the fuel-powered GLK350 is quicker to 100 km/h (6.5 2ds). The diesel GLK hits a hundred km/h in a factory-timed 8 seconds, however wallops the gasoline version on torque: 369 lb-ft versus 273. Here’s the object, although. Not best does the diesel have more muscle the place it relys, the full flex comes at 1,600-1,800 rpm – versus three,500-5,250 for the fuel variation.




Why on the planet would someone buy the fuel model, then? Well, nearly no person. Mercedes Canada would no longer be shocked to see 90 per cent of GLK buyers go for the diesel. So much for profitability. “We lose cash,” needless to say.



The simple reality is, Mercedes is pouncing on what's definitely a temporary advantage. Until any other auto maker arrives with a compact diesel SUV, Merc has the run of the marketplace. Eventually, Mazda goes to promote a diesel CX-5, but no longer this year; Mazda’s new SkyActiv diesel will come first within the Mazda6 this fall.



Eventually, BMW will find a means to provide Canadians a diesel X3 at a competitive price, however now not for now. Eventually – and this one is coming soon – Audi can have a Q5 diesel. In fact, Audi Canada spokesman Cort Nielsen confirms that the Q5 will get a three.0-litre TDI diesel this yr, as will the A8, A6 and A7 sedans. The A8 is available this spring, with the remaining three occurring sale in late summer season or early fall.



Jeep will provide the 2014 Grand Cherokee with a Fiat-supplied EcoDiesel this yr and that’s interesting because Audi, Jeep and Mercedes look to be the simplest models bold enough to do the obvious – put diesel energy in an SUV the place it belongs and does its absolute best work.



We will be seeing more diesels in different vehicles, although. The Diesel Technology Forum, a foyer workforce in the US, says 22 new “clean” diesel autos will be offered in america this year. By 2017, the discussion board says greater than 50 new diesels will attain the united states market by way of 2017. This forecast is based on market analysis from diesel know-how provider Bosch. If the diesel flood hits the USA, we’ll get just as wet in Canada.



All these diesels will almost certainly be what cheerleaders consult with as “clean” diesel engines. That is, they meet the same emissions laws as fueloline-powered autos, though hybrids like the Lexus RX450h are even cleaner and by means of a large margin.



Interestingly, the RX is ready the identical measurement because the GLK250, however checklists at a a lot, so much greater price – $56,750. If you are taking a seem to be to have the cleanest SUV, get the Lexus. But gas economy is a wash between the two and, due to dear after-treatments and phaseiculate filters, the Merc is easy sufficient through these days’s standard.

That topics as a result of these days and the following few years should be the heyday of diesel. Car companies searching for quick gasoline economy acquires to satisfy government-mandated, fleet-wide calls for can get them with diesels. Over time, the handiest actual future for diesels in passenger automotives is as a part of a diesel-electric hybrid. For the leisure of this decade, on the opposite hand, diesels could have an immense and growing presence.



Consumer want them and auto makers want them in their lineups. Indeed, Americans have gotten the fuel financial system bug that contaminated Canadians many 12 monthss ago. J.D. Power and Associates found in a contemporary study that gasoline economic system has transform the No. 1 factor in automobile choice for American; it’s been a top-three concern for Canadians for 12 monthss.



So this year, you’re going to look a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze turbodiesel. We comprehend concerning the coming Mazda, Audi and Jeep diesels, Volkswagen Canada provides a huge range of diesels already, and even BMW has mentioned the USA will see a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine within the close to future. Cadillac may supply a diesel ATS; Mini could be smart to promote a diesel in, say, the Countryman; a VW Tiguan TDI diesel is on the approach in which and there is talk of diesels for the Kia Optima and sure automobiles from Jaguar Land Rover.



That mentioned, apart from General Motors and Mazda, automotive firms primarily based in Detroit and Japan have shunned diesels, as adverse to in pickup vehicles. Ford says its EcoBoost direct-injection turbocharged system delivers gasoline economic system gains with out the price of easying up diesel emissions. Honda, at one point, althought about adding diesels to its lineup, however declined as a result of the price of exhaust treatment programs one of theses BlueTec. Toyota and Ford have additionally put a number of effort into hybrids. Hybrids existing their own issues. Some have criticized them for not shiping the marketed fuel economy.