US giant DaimlerChrysler used its prestigious Mercedes-Benz brand to showcase its new BLUETEC diesel marketing at the Detroit Motor Show. On display were an E-class E320 BLUETEC and GL 320 BLUETEC, the new name apparently replacing the CDI tag of old.

Mercedes makes some bold claims for BLUETEC, stating that "BLUETEC makes the diesel drive system in every vehicle category the cleanest diesel in the world." However, dig a little deeper and you'll discover that BLUETEC is not some wonderful new science, but merely an application of several emissions control technologies, depending on specific vehicle and market conditions.

BLUETEC cars will utilise an oxidising catalytic converter and a particulate filter. Nitrogen oxide reducing (DeNOx) storage catalytic converters and 'AdBlue' injection systems may also be called upon. The latter works with Selective Catalytic Reduction to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, but does require the use of an aqueous urea solution (AdBlue) that is carried in a separate tank. According to Mercedes, this would not need topping up between regular servicing.

This is an interesting initiative by DaimlerChrysler to increase diesel passenger car acceptance in the US. It is timed to coincide with the introduction of low sulphur diesel fuel in America, which is necessary for this technology to work effectively. The first of the BLUTEC cars go on sale shortly, though the full AdBlue system is not yet ready for production, as denoted by the 'Vision' tag on the GL 320 equipped with it.

More pictures