The diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan we were promised a few years ago is another casualty of increased scrutiny on diesel emissions in the United States. Mercedes confirmed that the C300d 4MATIC, which was supposed to arrive earlier this year, will not be joining Benz’s U.S. lineup after all. The company is concentrating instead on certifying other diesel-powered models, including the GLS-class diesel SUV. The C300d was expected to use a 2.1-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with standard all-wheel drive.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the result of Mercedes-Benz breaking any EPA regulations; instead, the process of certifying new diesels in the United States has become more difficult and time-intensive, disrupting the company’s plans. The GLS-class diesel is thus taking priority right now, which makes sense given the higher take rate for diesels among Mercedes-Benz’s larger SUV offerings.
There’s no confirmed launch date for the 2017 GLS-class diesel, nor is there any word yet on other Mercedes-Benz diesel plans. The GLE-class previously offered a diesel variant, and the GLC-class compact crossover was expected to gain a diesel variant called the GLC300d sometime this year. Both those models are now up in the air, timing-wise, and Mercedes-Benz won’t say whether or not it’s reapplying for certification on those models.
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