Mercedes-Benz ’s Geländewagen might not be the newest design on the market – its basic structure and style dates back to 1979 – but that’s not stopping the German automaker from installing a state-of-the-art BlueTEC diesel powertrain under its boxy hood.
The new V6 diesel engine cranks out 210 horsepower and 398 lb-ft. of torque, but the best news is the nearly 20 mpg combined fuel economy figure, according to Mercedes-Benz. Given the G350′s boxy shape and portly curb weight, the reduction in fuel consumption is nothing short of remarkable. For comparison, a G550 averages about 13 mpg combined.
To put the power to all four wheels, the G350 BluTEC features a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The G350 uses the same AdBlue additive seen in other Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC products to significantly reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions. An aqueous urea fluid is pumped into the exhaust-gas system and uses a downstream catalytic converter to convert the bad into good – harmless nitrogen and water emerges instead of nitrogen oxide. All of that cuts emissions to 305 g/km of CO2, a respectable figure for the boxy ‘ute.
North American sales seem possible, although no official word has emerged from the German automaker. European markets will get the G350 BluTEC in all three variants when it goes on sale later this year: Five-door wagon, three-door wagon and two-door convertible.
