The Diesel Driver » Mercedes-Benz

2011 Diesel Sales Report: Market Share in Germany Hit 49%

Christian Stampfer — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:30:31 +0000

It’s common knowledge that the market share for diesel is in the low single digits in the U.S. Currently, only four manufacturers, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen currently offer diesel-powered automobiles although there will be several automakers joining the diesel fold, including Jeep, Mazda, and Porsche, in the coming 18 months.

In Germany, the picture was quite different in 2011. Overall, looking at new car registration figures from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA or German Federal Motor and Transport Authority) and manufacturer-provided sales data covering Audi, BMW, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Škoda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo, diesel sales were 48.71% of total new car sales.

Complete charts with data by manufacturer and segment may be found on page two of this article.

Looking at specific categories, such as compact cars or SUVs, is even more interesting.

In compact car sales, the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta line was the diesel market leader with 105,786 units sold. Percentage wise, the Peugeot 308 (not sold in the U.S.) led with 60.24% of buyers choosing the oil burner. The Škoda Octavia was close behind, with 59.05% of buyers going diesel. 43.65% of buyers opted for diesel in this segment overall.

In the smaller mid-sized segment, the Volkswagen Passat (the European model, which differs from the U.S.-specific Passat) led in volume in diesel sales with 86,291 sold. In terms of the diesel take rate, the low-volume Volvo V50 led the way, with 95% of buyers going diesel. The overall take rate for this group, which includes the Audi A4/A5, BMW 3er, and Peugeot 508, was an impressive 74.58%.

In the larger mid-sized segment, the BMW 5 Series was the diesel take-rate leader at 89.86%. It was also the volume leader in a group that includes the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This category’s overall take rate was 85.83%.

For large luxury sedans, the BMW 7er was the diesel volume leader with 4,242 units sold. The Volkswagen Phaeton (not currently available in the U.S.) was the take-rate leader, with 89..03% of buyers choosing compression ignition. The overall diesel take rate for luxury sedans was 67.22%.

Finally, in the SUV category, the Volkswagen Tiguan (not available as a diesel in the U.S.) led the pack with 31,271 units sold. Two low-volume Land Rovers, the Discovery and Freelander, led in diesel take rate with 99.7% and 99.54% respectively. All three Mercedes-Benz SUVs (the GLK, ML-Class, and R-Class, as well as two BMW SUVs (the BMW X3 and X5), also had take rates in the 90s, as did the Ford Kuga and the Volvo XC60.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Charts and Data By Manufacturer and Segment

Your Favorite Articles in The Diesel Driver in 2011

Paul Riegler — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:08:53 +0000

As the year draws to a close, here’s a look at the ten most popular articles in The Diesel Driver in 2011. The rankings are based on reader popularity, shares via Facebook and other social media, and e-mail forwards.

The stories range from the first in-depth review of the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI to ongoing reports on our BMW 335d long-term test car, to a preview of the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec.

Enjoy the retrospective.

1.)        2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI – Review and First Drive/Road Test
Our review of two days with the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI at its June launch in Chattanooga

2.)        2011 Volkswagen Jetta – First Review
Join us at the launch of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta TDI in San Francisco and spend two days driving in Northern California with us.

3.)        BMW 335d Three-Month Test Report and Review
Our first three months with our BMW 335d long-term test car, starting with delivery at the BMW Welt and an in-depth look at its great fuel economy, superb handling, and road manners.

4.)        2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Review and Road Test
We spend a week with the new Touareg, learn to pronounce the name (it’s “twah-reg”), and begin to understand why so many Touareg buyers opt for the diesel version.

5.)        2012 Diesel Car Lineup in the U.S. – What’s New
A look at what’s new in 2012, including the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.

6.)        BMW 335d 12-Month Report and Review
Like a good novel, readers flocked to see how the BMW 335d fared after 12 months and 10,000 km.

7.)        2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI – Review and Test Drive
A week with Volkswagen’s Jetta SportWagen TDI – 80% of JSW buyers go diesel!

8.)        2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec Diesel Review and First Look
A week with the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec prior to its launch – and a drive from New York City to Boston and back using only half a tank – helped firm up our decision to add the E-Klasse to our long-term test fleet

9.)        2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec First Look and Review
Our review of the new ML Class diesel at its launch in Montana’s rugged outback

10.)      2011 BMW X3 Review and Road Test – The Road to Berchtesgaden
We drive the new BMW X3 xDrive20d to Berchtesgaden to take in the views.

2011 Year in Review: Diesel in America

Paul Riegler — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:52:42 +0000

2011 was a good year for diesel fans. Sales of diesel-powered automobiles in the U.S. were up 39% in the first half of the year, and it looks like that figure will increase when all of 2011 is tallied.

Two entirely new diesels were introduced in 2011, namely the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI . Both cars are four-door sedans with excellent fuel economy and plenty of passenger room.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz introduced a completely redesigned ML350 BlueTec over the summer.

Earlier this year, readers of The Diesel Driver chose the BMW 335d as the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year . The 3er received 29.6% of the vote, and 3,669 readers from 43 countries took part in the balloting. In second place was the Volkswagen Golf TDI with 16.1 percent of the vote. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, with 16 percent of the vote, came in third.

In August, TDD editors Jonathan Spira and Christian Stampfer traveled to the Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindelfingen to take delivery of The Diesel Driver’s new E350 BlueTec sedan . Since then, the E-Klasse has visited four countries (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S.) and 10 states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. Its maiden drive was from Sindelfingen to Maastricht, and its first trip in the U.S. was from New York to Kennebunkport.

In a poll we conducted earlier this year, 749 readers told us why they purchased a diesel. The most often cited reason was fuel economy followed by power and torque. Reliability was third, followed by reduced emissions and a higher residual value.

From the Tokyo Motor Show, Jonathan Spira reported that BMW and Mercedes-Benz are starting to offer diesels in Japan, traditionally the land of the gasoline-electric hybrid. Christian Stampfer reported from Frankfurt on the newest diesels and alternative-fuel vehicles being introduced by BMW and by Mercedes-Benz and Jonathan Spira discovered that Jaguar Land Rover will offer a diesel in the U.S. although exactly which vehicle and when remain uncertain.

Finally, balloting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year started last month and you can still place your vote or tell your friends to vote for their favorite diesel. This year’s nominees include seven passenger cars; the Audi A3 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Voting ends at midnight on March 1, 2012. The 2012 Diesel Car of the Year, as well as the two runners up, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils E300 BlueTec Hybrid Diesel Sedan – First Look

Paul Riegler — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:18:12 +0000

Introducing the World’s Most Economical Luxury Car

Many diesel enthusiasts have wondered why mainstream automakers such as Mercedes-Benz haven’t built a diesel-electric hybrid, bridging the best of diesel efficiency on the open road with hybrid in-town economy.

The Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid will go on sale next year. It is available in the standard E-Class sedan body as well as a wagon.

Under the hood, the 2143 cc four-cylinder diesel engine produces 204 hp (150 kW) and 368 pound-feet (500 Nm) of torque, (This engine is also found in the new SLK 250 CDI sports coupe, the automaker’s first diesel sportscar.) The electric motor produces an additional 27 hp (20 kW) and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque and is integrated into the gearbox, a modified seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic.

The combination of the four-cylinder engine with the electric motor positions the E300 BlueTec Hybrid favorably with the six-cylinder E300 CDI, which develops 231 hp (170 kW) and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm) of torque. By contrast, the E250 CDI, which has the Hybrid’s four-cylinder engine but no electric motor, produces 204 hp (150 kW) and 368 pound-feet (500 Nm) of torque

The BlueTec Hybrid’s 0.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can reportedly power the car in all-electric mode for a range of less than one mile at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h). The BlueTec Hybrid can travel from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.5 seconds and tops out at 150 mph (241 km/h).

A host of fuel-saving features, including stop-start, brake energy regeneration, low rolling resistance tires, and a sailing mode that decouples the engine from the transmission at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) in order to allow the car to coast with minimal losses from friction in the drivetrain.

This makes for a very efficient luxury sedan that sips fuel, using 4.2 l/100 km (56 mpg). Emissions are 109 g CO2/km.

The E300 BlueTec Hybrid will be available in European markets next year. Mercedes-Benz also announced the E400 Hybrid, a gasoline-electric hybrid that will only be on sale in the United States in 2012.

BMW, Mercedes to Offer Diesels in Japan

Jonathan Spira — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:49:40 +0000

X5 xDrive35d and E350 BlueTec On Display at Tokyo Motor Show

Jonathan Spira reports live from the Tokyo Motor Show

While diesels may rule the Autobahn, automakers have faced an uphill battle in gaining acceptance for oilburners in the U.S. There’s at least one market where the percentage of diesel-powered vehicles sold is significantly lower than the figure in the U.S., Japan, land of the hybrid. In 2010, diesels accounted for 0.2% of the market.

Japanese drivers have stayed away from diesels much for the same reasons that U.S. drivers have been slow to embrace them, namely the image that they are slow, noisy, and belch black smoke. Sales of new diesel-powered automobiles in the Japanese market stopped completely in 2007 and no new diesel models had been introduced since the beginning of that decade.

Last year, the Japanese Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry implemented new and stricter emissions standards for passenger cars. In addition, a government subsidy for eco-friendly cars such as hybrids ended last year as well.

Since modern diesels emit less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, some automakers see them as the next wave of eco-friendly vehicles for Japan, especially since the lack of a subsidy for hybrids will put diesels on an equal footing with them.

The first two manufacturers to offer “clean” diesels in Japan were Nissan and Mitsubishi. Nissan began selling its diesel X-Trail SUV in 2008, followed by Mitsubishi with its Pajero SUV last year.

The two carmakers see diesel technology as key to meeting the new standards for emissions. Last year, Ryugo Nakao, an executive at Mitsubishi, was quoted in a Japanese newspaper saying that diesel “is an essential technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Click here to continue to Page 2 – BMW and Mercedes-Benz at the Tokyo Motor Show

2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec 4Matic Review and Test Drive

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:55:34 +0000

The Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec is a true puzzle and, in many respects, defies categorization. It’s a crossover, but a very large one. It’s a minivan – at least it’s large enough to be one. It’s a six-passenger wagon – but one that can be configured for seven passengers… Well, you get the picture.

The R-Klasse has received an extensive refresh for 2011, bringing it in line with the new design language in the Mercedes M-Class and GL-Class which, incidentally, are both offered with diesel powerplants. The new, more angled grill and redesigned headlamps give the front a more assertive looking face. The side profile is sleeker than before and emphasizes a coupe-like line (think CLS) at the very rear. The rear, which sports new LED taillights and a new bumper with integrated exhausts, completes the picture.

THE ENGINE

The R350 BlueTec shares the time-tested BlueTec 3.0-liter diesel engine with AdBlue DEF (diesel exhaust fluid, also known as urea) injection found in the E350 BlueTec and the S350 BlueTec. The V-6 produces 210 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque. By contrast, the petrol variant, a 3.5-liter V-6, produces 268 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Both R350s come with Mercedes-Benz’ 4Matic four-wheel drive system and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Steering-wheel paddles and the column-mounted shifter that is Mercedes standard fare are present here as well. Drivers can select the standard shift program or an energy saving option.

The EPA rates the oilburner at 18 mpg (13 l/100 km) in city driving and 24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km) on the highway. By contrast, the gasser is rated at 14 mpg (16.8 l/100 km) and 19 mpg (12.4 l/100 km).

The diesel accelerates nicely from a stoplight but it won’t break any records. Once on the highway, however, it truly is in its element and six (or seven) people can ramble down the Autobahn at decent speeds while still getting decent fuel economy.

INTERIOR

Inside the roomy cabin, little has changed since the R’s launch in 2005. The instrument cluster is all new (dials now have white needles and the overall user interface it better) but that’s about it. The fit and finish is excellent and the materials used are top notch.

The key to the R’s interior is its inherent versatility. In U.S. models, the six-seat configuration is standard; seven is optional. In European markets, the five-seat model is standard, even in the long-wheelbase version that is not available in the U.S., and there’s an optional four-seat configuration as well.

Once inside, there’s more than enough room in the front two rows and the third row had a surprising amount of room as well.

As many as three child safety seats can be installed in the rear of the R-Class and the third row folds down when not in use, providing significantly more storage space. With 85 cubic feet of luggage space, the R-Class is the most spacious Benz on the boulevard today.

The panorama roof makes the interior seem even more spacious than it is and the roof simply looks great on the outside.

The optional harman/kardon Logic7 sound system does an impressive job of filling the cabin and the optional rear entertainment package features two 8” displays mounted on the backs of the front seats that connect to wireless headsets and a DVD player, all controlled by a remote. Here Mercedes needs to do a far better job in terms of integrating the displays into the interior because the current system stands out like a sore thumb.

My only other complaint about the interior is the lack of an armrest-mounted cockpit controller or pointing device for the Comand system. While the car comes with the latest Comand software, the car’s equivalent of a mouse is the same one that was available in 2005 at the launch and was also found in the prior-generation M-Class (it’s still what buyers get in the GL- and G-Class but it should have been updated with the mid-life refresh). It’s much harder to navigate around the Comand system’s many functions while the armrest-mounted controller, now on the new M-Class and also in most Mercedes models makes using Comand while driving a breeze.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec

Vote for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:01:22 +0000

Voting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year has started. Four companies, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, currently offer diesel passenger cars in the U.S.

This year’s stellar field of nominees includes seven passenger cars; the Audi A3 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Two of these models, namely the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, are new for 2012. The winner of the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year Award, the BMW 335d, is no longer in production, so the field is wide open, and it’s up to readers of The Diesel Driver to make the decision. Last year, over 3600 readers took part in the vote.

Voting starts at noon on November 18 and ends at midnight on March 1, 2012. The 2012 Diesel Car of the Year, as well as the two runners up, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Each year, The Diesel Driver’s readers will select the Diesel Car of the Year, recognizing three vehicles offered in the U.S. as the people’s choice. As jurors, you can vote for any one of the 13 nominees. Criteria range from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.

The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts who are interested in diesel-powered passenger cars. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.

Coming Up in The Diesel Driver in December and 2012

Paul Riegler — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:27:26 +0000

We have exciting news about upcoming features, and coverage, and additions to our short-term press fleet.

Balloting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year will start on Friday, November 18^th. You can read about the winner of the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year, the BMW 335d, and, starting on the 18th, select from 13 contenders from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.

Next up is a nine-month report on our Volkswagen Jetta TDI long-term test auto. Currently in our short-term test fleet is the Volkswagen Passat TDI, which we first reviewed in June . We’ll have a new review of the Passat in December for you.

We’ll soon be adding the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec and 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec to our short-term test fleet and will report on those vehicles as well.

In December, we’ll also feature a report on the unique safety features of our long-term Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec.

We’ll kick off our diesel coverage in early 2012 with a review of the 2012 Audi A3 TDI.

And finally, we’ll also take a look at a few hybrids in early 2012, including the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid and the 2012 Lexus HS 250 h.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec Diesel Three Month Review and Report

Jonathan Spira — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:38:34 +0000

Last November, I drove the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec sedan from New York to Boston and back and promptly fell in love. The trip of 331 km (206 miles) took three hours and my fuel consumption was 6.7 l/100 km (35 mpg). The return trip of 335 km (208 miles) took a little longer but my fuel consumption was only 6.3 l/100 km (37 mpg). These figures were on par with the fuel economy we saw with our BMW 335d long-term test car, yet the Benz was bigger.

This year Mercedes is celebrating its 125th anniversary and is credited not only with inventing the diesel-powered passenger car in the 1930s but with having invented the automobile as we more or less know it in 1886. In the U.S. in recent years, diesels have remained solely in the domain of the Germans, while others automakers experiment with hybrids and electric vehicles.

Mercedes’ diesel offspring have done it proud. It’s not uncommon to see a W123 240D or 300D still on the road, even though the last one was produced over 25 years ago. The resale value of diesels remains high and that is reflected in the very high residual value of the car for leasing customers.

Mercedes-Benz is currently tied with Volkswagen for offering the most diesel models in the U.S. (each has five). The E350 BlueTec model was added to the list of available E-Klasse models in the U.S. last year, rounding out the automaker’s U.S. diesel lineup with a four-door sedan. A second four-door sedan, the larger S350 BlueTec , is first going on sale now at dealerships and was recently in our short-term test fleet.

The 2011 E350 BlueTec sedan was completely new for 2010 and it is a standard E350 sedan in every regard save one: the engine. Compared to the petrol version, the E350 BlueTec comes with a smaller V-6 3.0-liter 72° engine, which powered an earlier E-Class in the U.S., the 2006 E320 diesel. Today that engine is fitted with Mercedes’ AdBlue urea-injection system that scrubs the exhaust, eliminating almost all of its NOx emissions and making the car legal in all 50 states.

The diesel engine does, however, make a world of difference. While the diesel only produces 210 hp, it does produce 400 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm. The E350 gasser only manages 258 pound-feet between 2,400 and 5,000 (the diesel tops out at 4500 rpm incidentally, but that’s fairly typical for an oil burner), while the E550’s massive V-8 only manages to produce 391 pound-feet of torque (although this figure will be increased in the 2012 model).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the E350 BlueTec and the E350′s Interior plus Virtual Drives

Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec Test Drive and Report: The Road to Kennebunkport

Christian Stampfer — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:42:02 +0000

Situated along the Kennebunk River, the city of Kennebunkport is a small town just one mile away from the Atlantic Ocean. Although the city is home to only 3,474 inhabitants, it is particularly well known because of one resident, former president George H. W. Bush, who had chosen Kennebunkport for his primary summer residence. Many tourists choose Kennebunkport as a place to spend their vacation and to relax on the beach.

For the first U.S. road trip with the Diesel Driver’s new long-term test auto, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, TDD Editor Jonathan Spira and I planned a trip to all states in New England, except for Rhode Island. Our first destination was Kennebunkport, where we stayed at the Hidden Pond Resort.

After several drives in Europe, the Mercedes already had 1585 km (985 miles) on the clock. The overall fuel economy after our drive to Maastricht was 7.4 l/100 km (31.78 mpg). Since the break-in period of the car was over, we expected slightly better fuel economy for this trip than we had seen in the past.

Our drive to Kennebunkport started the day after I arrived from Munich in New York. The weather forecast sounded great and we were able to enjoy the famous and beautiful fall foliage of the region.

We crossed the East River and left New York via the Throgs Neck Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the mainland with Long Island and started our drive towards Maine on the New England Thruway, better known as Interstate 95. Near Port Chester we crossed the state border into Connecticut. After a drive of 66 miles (106 km) where we experienced quite a lot of traffic, we followed I-91 in New Haven in a northerly direction towards Hartford. (Had we continued on I-95 we would not have avoided passing through Rhode Island and the overall drive would have taken more time.) We exited the Interstate at Exit 16 because it was time for a break and a driver change, so I switched seats with Jonathan, who had driven the first leg of our journey.

For the next part of the drive to Kennebunkport, I got to know a bit about the American way of driving and found many drivers passing cars and trucks on the right (something which is strictly prohibited on the German Autobahn). The six-cylinder diesel engine of our E350 with its massive 400 pound-feet of torque made it very easy to pass slower traffic regardless of lane.

We continued on I-95, connecting to Interstate 84 and Interstate 90, entered Massachusetts and switched onto the I-290 near Worcester and I-495 near Marlborough. After a short drive through New Hampshire, we reached Maine and stopped at the Visitor Center in Kittery.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – The Drive Along US-1 and Virtual Drives