Mercedes brings Bluetec to Europe in 2008

Ultra-clean Bluetec diesel engines will be in Mercedes-Benz cars in Europe next year. The green technology still isn’t officially confirmed for right-hand drive markets like the UK, but Dermot Kelly, managing director of Mercedes Car Group UK, says he believes it’s only a matter of time.

Bluetec is the umbrella name for a number of Mercedes technologies that work together to create more efficient diesel engines. The result is higher fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. It made its world debut in America 12 months ago in the E-Class, where it now accounts for one in five sales of that car.

Kelly said: “The focus has been on the big prize which is converting America, that’s why we went into the US first with Bluetec. Europe is a much more diesel-oriented market and to launch it here would have been easy.

“However, Bluetec is still not confirmed for the UK. I believe it’s a question of when not if.”