If you're wishing and hoping for more diesel in the U.S., it looks like your best bet may again be placed on the Germans. Wards Automotive quotes Mercedes-Benz USA President Ernst Lieb as saying that the 2.2-liter Bluetec diesel will rest under the hood of the 2012 GLK. The oil-burning mill will likely cost a few thousand dollars more than the petrol-powered GLK, but fuel economy from the diesel four-pot will of course be vastly superior.

Mercedes reportedly won't stop with the GLK either, as the next generation C-Class will reportedly house the same Bluetec fuel-sipper. Further, the E-Class will once again receive diesel power in 2011 after a year off, rejoining the ML, GL and R-Class on the Bluetec buffet. Lieb says that diesels typically account for 12-20 percent of overall sales in the U.S. and the company is hoping to manage 15-20 percent of overall sales in the years ahead.


More...