Mercedes-Benz GLK250 now available in the United States

Mercedes-Benz will start selling the diesel-powered GLK250 BlueTec compact crossover in the United States on April 30, 2013. The GLK250 is powered by an all-aluminum 2.1-liter twin-turbo diesel that will also replace a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel in the restyled E-class sedan in September.
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quizz - 4/30/2013 6:10:03 PM

+3 Boost

FINALLY. It's about time MB became competitive in the fuel wars. With 3 makes to choose from (VW, BMW, MB), the new entry level engine should be the 4 cylinder diesel. Way way preferable to any hybrid.

quizz - 4/30/2013 6:14:15 PM

+1 Boost

CORRECTION: "The GLK250 BlueTec compact crossover has a starting price of $39,459 with shipping, just $536 more than the six-cylinder GLK350 with awd."

WTF!? This 4-cylinder is priced ABOVE the V6? Everywhere else in the world the 4-cylinder diesel is an entry level vehicle, but in the U.S. it's priced higher?! What idiot in product pricing approved this? Complete lunacy. It makes about as much sense as pricing the V6 diesel above the V8.

quizz - 4/30/2013 6:26:00 PM

+1 Boost

At least the Canadians have it priced more competitively starting at $43,500 versus the V6’s $44,900. I know it's not a big difference, but psychologically, it makes a huge difference because consumers are conditioned to believe V6 model is better than the 4 - it's as if MB does not want the diesel sales to surpass the V6 sales (which it would if priced comparatively as the German pricing 46K vs. 51K).

DieselRules - 5/3/2013 12:54:10 AM

+1 Boost

A 4-cyl. turbo-diesel can justifiably be priced higher than a 6-cyl. gas engine, as it will likely have more torque (while using less fuel), last longer, and provide a higher resale value.
The big marketing blunder is not selling the practical engine choice (diesel) in the practical body style (wagon). The remaining 1987 E-Class TD Wagons sell for multiples of their gas-powered brethren.
Isn't that a slight clue about market demand?