Teresa’s View

If you’ve been waiting for diesel vehicles to clean up their act, your wait is over, my friend.

This year, Mercedes introduces the E320 Bluetec, a diesel-powered version of M-B’s elegant E320 sedan.

The E320 Bluetec is a sophisticated piece of machinery. For one thing, it’s a Mercedes. Duh. They’ve been refining the diesel engine since 1936, when they built the first diesel-powered production car. The result is the E320 Bluetec, the world’s cleanest diesel, according to M-B. It uses an ultra-low sulfur diesel that is said to contain 97 percent less sulfur than previous mixtures.

The technology has come a long way since the early ‘70s when my childhood neighbor, Dr. Shasta, brought home a Mercedes diesel from Germany. Although it was a gorgeous car, it spewed smoke and heralded his arrival home with a cacophony of bangs, pops and putters.

Unlike those vehicles, the E320 Bluetec starts clean, without any special trick or extra step. There’s no telltale smoke billowing from the exhaust and the sedan runs with the quiet efficiency of a well-trained manservant.

EPA rates it at 26 mpg city and 35 highway.

Finding a gas station that sells the special mixture diesel fuel is a challenge, but not impossible. It took me three tries to locate one in my neck of the woods.

Under the hood, the E320 Bluetec is blessed with a 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers 208 horsepower and a substantial 388 pound-feet of torque. Needless to say, acceleration and power are more than adequate — M-B says the E320 Bluetec will scoot 0-to-60 in 6.6 seconds. However, the steering feels heavy and a quick jump on the throttle produces a delayed response.

There’ve been a number of other changes to the E320, aside from the diesel. It’s not a full-scale remodel, more of a freshening — a few nips and tucks around the front grille and headlamps, more shapely side mirrors and a tighter tush. Several comfort features migrated from the options to standard features list, including a sunroof and upgraded harman/kardon premium audio system.

What Is It?: The 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 is a four-door, five-passenger, full-size luxury performance sedan. It replaces the E320 CDI in the E Class lineup that also includes the updated E550 and E65 AMG. The E320 Bluetec sells for $52K including destination — just a $1K more than its gas-powered sibling. Oh, and this high-tech diesel is not available in every state. The E320 Bluetec has yet to pass some states’ emissions requirements.

Favorite Feature: Called Pre-Safe this high-tech safety system is designed to sense an imminent crash and take preventive action before impact. If the car perceives an impending crash, it automatically adjusts the seats to an upright position and, in the case of a rollover, closes the sunroof.

So, Where Are Ya From?: The E320 Bluetec is assembled in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Trivia: In 1996, the E Class was the first passenger vehicle sold in the U.S. with front-door-mounted side airbags.