Mercedes brings a diesel back to the U.S. S-Class line-up for the first time since 1995.
For the first time in 17 years, Mercedes-Benz will put an oil burner into the flagship S-Class line-up. And to enhance the appeal, the 2012 Mercedes S350 BlueTec will come with the German maker’s all-wheel-drive 4Matic system.
The return of the diesel suggests that even the most affluent American motorists are beginning to pay attention to fuel economy at a time when petro-analysts are predicting gas prices could soon reach as high as $5 a gallon.
The Mercedes-Benz S350 will use the same clean BlueTec diesel currently found in the maker’s GL- and M-Class SUVs. In the sedan, the oil burner will make a seemingly modest 210 horsepower but a stump-pulling 400 foot-pounds of torque.
Significantly, with highway mileage anticipated at somewhere above 28 mpg, the S350 will not only best the gas-powered S550’s 21 mpg, but even 25 mpg S400 Hybrid.
The S350's BlueTec diesel will deliver even better highway mileage than the S-Class hybrid.
The S350 designation last showed up on a U.S. diesel model sold during the 1995 model-year. Back then, however, diesel sales had all but dried up and California regulators were moving to bar the technology due to concerns about particulates and oxides of nitrogen. The new BlueTec powertrain, using advanced, low-sulfur fuel, meets emissions standards for all 50 states.
The 4Matic system will be standard equipment on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec. Pricing will be announced closer to launch later this winter.