Brian - you're probably correct - by eliminating the word "Diesel" from the
outside markings, the marketeers may well be trying to divert the public's
attention. IIRC, the trunk lid on M-B's (those that haven't had the marking
"delete" option) now use the letters "CDI" on the right side, which most of
the public won't have a clue about - and with the "D" missing from the model
ID on the left side, coupled with the very quiet and smokeless operation,
many will not be reminded that it is in fact a Diesel. But so far I've only
seen the word "Bluetec" used with the E320, even though the technology may
well be applied to other models. You might be interested that the 2007 E
and S Class brochures (actually booklets) in Germany do NOT mention
"Bluetec", only CDI in all their Diesels 200CDI to 420CDI.
Werner
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zoltan Finks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 10:45 PM
Subject: [MBZ] Bluetec word used in place of Diesel?
I just happened to scan the TV past PBS and caught the back end of
Motorweek. They were reviewing the '07 E320 Bluetec. (hope I have the
number
correct)
They had nothing but good to say (they always say almost exlusively good
things about the cars they review, leading me to believe they get paid by
the car manufacturers to "advertise" their models).
The thing that struck me is that while he acknowledged that it was a
diesel,
and touted it as an environmentally friendly alternative, along the lines
of
hybrids and the like, he mainly referred to it as a "Bluetec". I know this
is the name being used for these new diesels and that it refers to some
new
clean technology, but it made me wonder if Mercedes is trying to avoid the
use of the word "diesel" and thereby cut down on the negative stereotypes
associated with the word.
Brian
