Mercedes BlueTEC SUVs Coming to Europe Following Success in America

Mercedes-Benz is bringing their BlueTEC SUV lineup to Europe. Although the automaker claims the lineup is successful Stateside -and should be even more so where diesel is more accepted - they opted not to provide sales details. Instead, they try to back up their claim of success solely by listing every celebrity who owns one. Of course, we can't be sure which of the A- through D-listers actually purchased their vehicles, and who received one as a promotional gift.

In case your curious, some of the celebs who own a BlueTEC SUV include Naomi Watts & Liev Schreiber, Gary Oldman, Kim Catrall, Kyle MacLachlan, and the will-not-go-away William Baldwin. Singers Emmy Rossum and Sheryl Crow supplied quotes for the press release, but they're way too cheerleadery to restate (read the press release below if you really want to know).

Onto the vehicle: three BlueTEC SUVs are available for order now, with European delivery beginning in September. The SUVs are powered by a 211hp engine that generates a massive maximum torque of 540 Nm. Purchasers of the vehicle will get similar tax credits and rebates as those who purchase a hybrid. Owners will be able to claim up to €1,400 for purchasing one of the SUVs, which marginally offsets the high price.

Available for purchase are the ML 350 BlueTEC, for €48,400, the R 350 BlueTEC, for €50,100, and the GL 350 BlueTEC, for €60,850. Sadly, those starting prices do not include value added tax. It is unclear if these vehicles will only be available with the 4MATIC transmission. The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC technology reduces emissions typically caused by diesel engines, versus petrol engines. The automaker injects a "water-based urea solution" (gross?) into the exhaust system, reducing the output of nitrogen oxides by up to 80 percent.

Those looking to purchase and hold onto the vehicle for several years will be happy to know that the 4MATIC models already meet EU-6 standards.

Press Release

SUV Models with BlueTEC Technology are coming to Europe: A Guaranteed Home Win

An American dream has come true. The BlueTEC models of Mercedes-Benz have achieved what no-one ever thought possible: American car drivers find diesel-powered passenger car models attractive. With this success under its belt, Mercedes-Benz is now bringing its BlueTEC SUVs to the European market. This is a guaranteed home win. The three BlueTEC SUVs can be ordered immediately; deliveries will begin in September 2009.

Celebrities are not the only ones to have their hearts captured by the low emission and economical yet powerful diesel models but also regular demanding customers. The turn in American tax policy has contributed to this. With the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC owners get the same tax benefits as for a hybrid car. For example, the GL equipped with BlueTEC technology can bring a savings of 1,370 euros. Mercedes-Benz will be offering the full range of BlueTEC models in Europe from fall 2009. In addition to the E 350 BlueTEC sedan, the range also includes three SUV vehicles - the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC. BlueTEC will additionally bolster the appeal of this vehicle category in Europe.
BlueTEC is a technology developed by Mercedes-Benz for effective reduction of diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxides. This is the only exhaust gas constituent which has inherently higher levels in diesel engines than in gasoline engines. AdBlue®, a harmless, water-based urea solution, is injected into the exhaust flow, reducing up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR catalytic converter. Moreover, the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC already meet the exhaust limits of the EU-6 Standard, which will become effective from 2014.

The powerful V6 diesel engine of the new BlueTEC SUV models shows that large SUVs are also capable of fuel economy and extremely low emissions. It delivers 155 kW/211 hp with a torque of 540 Newton meters, thus guaranteeing low consumption values as well as outstanding performance.

Stars and BlueTEC Vehicles

In addition to the successful actress Naomi Watts and her partner Liev Schreiber (known from "X-Men" and "The Manchurian Candidate"), BlueTEC drivers from the film and television industry also include William Baldwin, "Desperate Housewives" star Kyle MacLachlan, "Sex and the City" actress Kim Cattrall, Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman and "Phantom of the Opera" singer Emmy Rossum. "My ML 320 BlueTEC has all the power and luxury you'd expect of a Mercedes-Benz, plus the efficiency and low environmental impact of an economy or even hybrid vehicle", says Emmy Rossum. "BlueTEC is really the best of both worlds." World-famous singer, musician and environmental activist Sheryl Crow enjoys the advantages of the R-Class BlueTEC and echoes this view: "The newest clean diesel vehicles are eco-friendly and deserve as much attention as other gas alternatives like hybrids!"

In the world of music, pop star Gwen Stefani and her husband, musician Gavin Rossdale, also drive a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC, as does singer Josh Kelley who is married to "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl. Other owners of a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicle include Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, singer of the US band "Good Charlotte". Seven-time Grammy award winner Alanis Morissette chose a fuel-efficient and low emission Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC to feature in her video for "Underneath".

BlueTEC Models: Selling Prices in Europe

The ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC models can be ordered immediately, with delivery starting in September 2009. Here are the prices at a glance: