No need for hybrids
The idea of a diesel-powered Mercedes might surprise some, but actually, they've been around for quite a while. The German automaker's line-up has been sprinkled with oil-burning models in Europe, but in North America, only one or two at a time crossed the ocean.
But do diesel-powered cars still evoke the impression that they're smelly, noisy, dirty and underpowered? Maybe, but recent offerings from a couple of audacious manufacturers have proven that diesel engines that are being developed now are quite modern. In the late '70s, automakers scrambled to produce diesels because of the oil crisis, and the result was pretty disastrous.
Buckets o' torque
Buying a 215-hp, 3.0-liter V6 under the hood of a 5,313-lb (2,410-kg) truck might seem masochistic, but the torque rating of 398 lb-ft, which peaks from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm, makes up nicely. Since low-end torque is great for quick acceleration, the GL320 strolls from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. Not as blazingly fast as the GL550 which blasts to the same speed in 6.5 seconds, but still fairly quick.
In normal driving, however, the diesel engine's power delivery is smooth and linear. No one who rides aboard guesses that it's not a conventional gasoline engine up front. At idle, the smell of the exhaust still reveals the diesel fuel combustion, and when firing up the engine in cold weather, it's a little noisy.
At a steady highway speed, you'll likely consume about 10.0 L/100 km, and in the city, roughly 15.0; my average is 12.7 L/100 km. That's not bad at all, because the GL450 and GL550 will easily consume an average of 15 liters for every 100 km. However, I'm pretty sure fuel economy is not a major concern for someone who's purchasing an $80,000-plus SUV.
The idea of a diesel-powered Mercedes might surprise some, but actually, they've been around for quite a while. The German automaker's line-up has been sprinkled with oil-burning models in Europe, but in North America, only one or two at a time crossed the ocean.
 |
| The idea of a diesel-powered Mercedes might surprise some. |
But do diesel-powered cars still evoke the impression that they're smelly, noisy, dirty and underpowered? Maybe, but recent offerings from a couple of audacious manufacturers have proven that diesel engines that are being developed now are quite modern. In the late '70s, automakers scrambled to produce diesels because of the oil crisis, and the result was pretty disastrous.
Buckets o' torque
Buying a 215-hp, 3.0-liter V6 under the hood of a 5,313-lb (2,410-kg) truck might seem masochistic, but the torque rating of 398 lb-ft, which peaks from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm, makes up nicely. Since low-end torque is great for quick acceleration, the GL320 strolls from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. Not as blazingly fast as the GL550 which blasts to the same speed in 6.5 seconds, but still fairly quick.
In normal driving, however, the diesel engine's power delivery is smooth and linear. No one who rides aboard guesses that it's not a conventional gasoline engine up front. At idle, the smell of the exhaust still reveals the diesel fuel combustion, and when firing up the engine in cold weather, it's a little noisy.
At a steady highway speed, you'll likely consume about 10.0 L/100 km, and in the city, roughly 15.0; my average is 12.7 L/100 km. That's not bad at all, because the GL450 and GL550 will easily consume an average of 15 liters for every 100 km. However, I'm pretty sure fuel economy is not a major concern for someone who's purchasing an $80,000-plus SUV.
 |
| The GL320 strolls from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. |