New Mercedes C-Class Gets Diesel Treatment

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class that was unveiled online last month will get a diesel powerplant that meets the highest European environmental standards, standards that don’t go into effect until 2015. The C220 Bluetec has a four-cylinder engine that produces just 170 hp but 294 pounds-feet of torque. The Bluetec system uses a series of filters and catalytic converters to clean the exhaust so the amount of pollution is slashed and mileage is rated at just under 43 mpg.

There’s no reason the C220 Bluetec couldn’t be sold in the U.S., but we’ve yet to see the latest clean diesel vehicles from Europe go on sale here. The introduction of a new diesel Volkswagen Jetta and cars from other manufacturers will show if buyers are interested in the improved mileage as gas prices continue to fluctuate, seemingly week to week. A couple of larger images are below.