BLUETEC hybrid M-Class coming soon!

[PanterroR]

Here is some great news for the diesel lovers, but also for the tree huggers hybrid lovers. Just-Auto (via Autoblog) is reporting that Mercedes may have a BLUETEC diesel-electric hybrid M-Class available in two years. This of course is all speculation but they are also reporting the it would have 3.2l six-cylinder BLUETEC engine and a fuel economy with around 48mpg (from 40 UK imperial gallons into US gallons)

This would certainly be great news as no company has yet created a diesel-hybrid vehicle. As gas prices rise, an SUV that can get 48 mpg and lower emissions at the same time, would be welcomed by many of the SUV lovers.




Source: BenzInsider.com - The Official Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog

 

[Bartek S.]

Mercedes has announced in an interview with AutoExpress that the M-Class will be offered with a hybrid option starting 2009.
The M-Class should emit less than 200g/km of CO2 and return 40mpg. That puts it on a par with the latest C320 CDI. Mercedes said in an interview: "It’s a safe bet that our first move into hybrids will come with the M-Class, using a 3.2-litre V6 Bluetec diesel."
By linking the two-mode hybrid system, developed with BMW and General Motors, Mercedes believes it can eclipse Lexus’s trend-setting hybrid SUV, the RX400h. The set-up uses an electric motor in the transmission to reduce weight, improve efficiency and absorb less power.
Mercedes M-Class going hybrid - Top Speed