Small Diesels. Finally! Thank you Mercedes-Benz! GLK and C-Class

After fielding queries from folks who'd rented them in Europe, "How come we don't get the small Diesels here in the US?", I finally have an answer. They're coming! In 2012 and 2013 to be exact. This is a very good thing. Mercedes-Benz invented the Diesel engine over 80 years ago, and it is still the best way to make a fuel-efficient, torquey and exceedingly robust engine for motorcars and trucks. One of the reasons diesels have been hard to get here in the US is that they are so popular in Europe, the engines are all sold out.
Well, we finally have our own allotment coming, and I say "Hooray!"

From wardsauto,

"Mercedes-Benz USA confirms the diesel version of the GLK compact cross/utility vehicle for the U.S. market in 2012. The company also noted that the next-gen C-Class will feature diesel availability right from the start when it arrives in 2013.


In a conversation with wardsauto, Ernst Lieb, Benz’s U.S. chief said that the diesel variant will be followed by a diesel version of the next-generation C-Class sedan just one year later. The company plans to power both the vehicles by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine bearing the automaker’s Bluetec title for clean diesel powertrains.

Apart from the GLK compact cross/utility vehicle, the company’s line up with diesel engine for the coming years include diesel options include the ML and GL-Class SUVs, the R-Class crossover and the 2011 model year E-Class sedan.

According to wardsauto, through October, Mercedes U.S.-market sales were tracking 13.7% ahead of the same point in 2009."

via wardsauto