Mercedes-Benz to get jump on BMW and Audi in this hot market segment

Good job Mercedes!!!

I thought that the Q7 will be possible to buy in the states with the 3.0 TDI??? -and it doesnt feel faster than the 4.2 at all, although it is the engine i would go for (the 3.0 TDI)

The 4.0 TDI will not be in the Q7 and I think that diesels larger than 3 liters are stupid.

What US needs to become as soon as possible is more like Europe, where most cars are small and have engines that are less than 3 liters. U very seldom see a 3 liter + engined car in Europe.

That is why American cars are very disliked in europe: They have big engines that use a LOT of fuel, while MOST of them cannot match performance with small, fuel efficient engines.

and the worlds most powerful diesel engine is the V12 in R10 :D

Hats off to MB for getting those vehicles to market that quick. I think it is a demonstration of Mgmt at the very top levels knowing exactly what is needed right now for the US market! Way to go Dieter! As an Audi guy, all I can say is "we are working on it". The 3.0TDI Q7 will arrive next fall (2007) as a 2008 model. I've have spoken directly to the people in charge of this whole project and that is the best time frame they would give us. I tried pushing them on other models in the Audi lineup with the 3.0TDI diesel such as the A6 and A4 and they had not even considered it until I mentioned it to them back in February during the North American press launch of the Q7. I suggested replacing all of the 3.2 V6 gas motors completely with the 3.0 TDI and they looked at me like I was nuts. Unless Audi can find 300+hp somehow in that 3.2 motor, there really isn't much need for it. If there was a 3.0TDI to choose from instead that could deliver upwards of 36-40MPG highway in each of those car lines with performance to match that of the gas 3.2, we wouldn't have ANY in stock at all. In fact, we would probably have a waiting list.

This engine already exists in almost every major market Audi participates in. If you are going to certify it for sale in the US anyway, why not go the rest of the way and offer it throughout the lineup? And don't even get me started on the 4.2TDI A8L.

Hey Martin, give Dieter a call. I think he's on to something!

It is a very logical move for big trucks/suv to have diesel engine. the characteristics of these SUVs or Truck like 4 by 4 is the towing capacity. And we all know how Powerful the diesel engine design are for MAX torque.

The next logical thing would be to offer a diesel in every model (follow the Euros) and yes make efficient engines that can out perform. If people think Gas+Electric is good, then may i suggest Diesel+Electric or some sort of alternate fuel be even better? I believe MB is developing a Diesel Hybrid.

I guess is hard for the US market to adopt strictly with diesel engines and the ideology of Bigger is better ( in numbers etc) If your read any car mag from the states, a bigger engine displacement always get the "check mark" for advantage even when output is the same as some smaller engine. That ideology would have to change as a collective whole, else the end is near.

diesels bigger than 3 liters aint stupid.

examples...
6.0 Powerstroke
4.4 BMW twin turbo
4.0 TDI
5.9 Cummins 600
5.5 Twin-tubro TDI (in the R10 race car)
16.0 Caterpillar C16

Ok they may be hugely big but they have a reputation and I don't even care for diesels.
BMW PRIDE BOY!

diesels bigger than 3 liters aint stupid.

examples...
6.0 Powerstroke
4.4 BMW twin turbo
4.0 TDI
5.9 Cummins 600
5.5 Twin-tubro TDI (in the R10 race car)
16.0 Caterpillar C16

Ok they may be hugely big but they have a reputation and I don't even care for diesels.
BMW PRIDE BOY!

If your sick of big SUVs consider this:
The GL as big as the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Pathfinder Armada, and Infiniti QX. Does anyone think they are big? The ML is smaller but you could get more power, fun and better fuel efficiency from a BMW X5.

If your sick of big SUVs consider this:
The GL as big as the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Pathfinder Armada, and Infiniti QX. Does anyone think they are big? The ML is smaller but you could get more power, fun and better fuel efficiency from a BMW X5.

I was lucky enough to attend the Audi Streets of Tomorrow event two weeks ago and drive quite a different few models. Last night we returned from a long weekend and the resort we stayed at, actually had the BMW Resort Tour there at the same time. On three days I had 5 BMW models for 1 to 4 hours each to drive wherever and however I pleased. So I gave them a test to see for myself. (Hey they were free!)

Actually it surprised me how alike and different the competing models were. Both Marquees had outstanding examples present but after the extensive test drives of the BMW models, I still can say I preferred the Audis even though the drives in them were for minutes each vs. the hours in the BMW’s.

While the BMW’s were very much a slice and dice kind of car, they tended to be more stark and less friendly than the similar Audis. The Audi's were far more controllable at the limits and less subject to the road conditions in general. I guess if I live on the race track a BMW would be a serious contender. However I do not, and the Audi’s were far more civilized on a day to day basis, even in the hill country where the roads are twisty.

I have remembered the statements that the BMW’s have more of a “wow factor” and that that was a reason to buy them over the Audi’s.

Well, we pulled up to valet for dinner in a 760LI (V12) in an upscale restaurant on Friday night. Up front there were a several spaces for the “wow factor cars” to proudly be displayed. The 760LI got parked in the back, even though it was a $120k vehicle. The cars up front were a Z06 Vette, Lotus Elise, Hummer, and a few Mercs for flavor. For some reason the BMW never garnered a glance. To me that pretty much sealed the fate of the “wow factor”.

does not look "wow!" at all. It is quite boring.

I will let you all decide.



VS





VS



Round One: FIGHT

Just goes to show you how it is the put a block wheels and make it look distinct.

how HARD is to design a block on a set of wheels and make it look distinct.

I agree the 760LI is understated but so are the other BMW models. There have been numerous comments over the past few weeks about how a Bimmer has a wow factor when you see it that others lack. The 760LI did not command any wow nor did the 650 I drove to dinner the next night. So I didn't see that magical effect. To be honest I would not think the Audi would have faired differently. So it was more an observation than a dig.

"a Bimmer has a wow factor when you see it that others lack."

lol.. PLANO! You are having trouble typing today!.... I know what you mean though. They definitely took away the mafioso look that they had going with past bimmers. Ah well.

I am having trouble reading today. That does make sense. I just had to read it a couple times. Sorry!

"With gas prices inching toward $4.00 a gallon"

I'm paying $2.99 for premium.

The 650 was a sharp car, I dont know why it did not garner the attention. Maybe BMW's success and increasing popularity are making them so commonplace that they no longer raise an eyebrow to the masses.

I guess success and popularity has it's disadvantages too.

I work for an Audi dealer and e--s--f is correct. If you live in LA don't look forward to the MB deisel until next year when Audi brings theirs out as well. MB did not get the jump, the US has "dirty fuel" and will not burn according the the stricter emmissions of Cali and the north east. Just a clue as to why we still have sub par deisel. It would've cost Ford and GM too much money to make their cars run on cleaner deisel. However government madate takes effect 2008 which is when you will see a flury of deisels from Europe.