Solve the worlds problems? First thing is to dissolve the Federal Reserve. Stay tuned for follow-on steps :)

Aw c'mon, don't be such a Debby Downer. We can always hope! BTW I like the styling.

No. The air is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Hardly a trace of CO2.

Why the quotes and exclamation point around the "harmless nitrogen" statement? I can't imagine a more harmless gas than nitrogen. Heck if it's mixed with enough oxygen you can even breathe it!

Hi Sam, thanks for noting the discrepancy. I currently own an ML320 CDI (08) and I *was* averaging 27MPG in it with my aforementioned driving techniques. Then I chipped the vehicle (after reading an AutoBlogGreen article http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/26/paramount-tuners-get-more-for-their-diesel-16-more-they-say/) and now I'm averaging over 30MPG. The chip increases the torque from the engine, which in turn allows gear shifts to occur later - that is when you are easy on the pedal. The vehicle has been at the dealer twice and on their computer both times - and they were unaware of the chip's presence. This same chip can be used in the GL, and so equipped 28MPG is not unrealistic from the larger Benz. I forgot to mention tires kept at 38PSI should also give you an extra 1/2 - 1 MPG.

I tell you what, part of the benefits of taking it easy in any vehicle (not necessarily hypermiling, but just remaining calm and relaxed) is the inner peace you achieve once you let go of the testosterone-based need to "compete" (LOL) with the moron next to you on the road. And with a vehicle like the ML or GL, my what a nice place it is to just enjoy the ride.....and for quite a bit less that what the crass looking Escalade goes for.

Regarding the statement about the energy content of diesel, yes - diesel does have more carbon atoms per unit volume (i.e. it's denser than gasoline) but guess what? Diesel is what sits there in the barrel of oil after the gasoline has been extracted. In other words, it takes less energy to get that gallon of diesel when the bigger picture is considered. Plus diesel engines are heavier duty because of the higher compression ratios needed to ignite the fuel.

Finally, you can brew your own biodiesel....so when the crap hits the fan from our beloved leaders ever so wise foreign policy and energy policy decisions, it's going to be middle-eastern fuel that will be costing more, not plant-derived biofuels.....Hurry up and get the 08 CDI's while you can, the 09's have the Urea injection, which shaves off a couple horsepower, adds a tiny bit of weight, and an extra level of complexity to vehicle ownership.

The author is completely mistaken when saying "these big SUVs are the most fuel-efficient of their type." You can purchase a 7-passenger Mercedes GL320 CDI diesel that gets well past 25MPG if driven sensibly (pay no attention to the 2008 EPA standards unless you live in gridlocked Los Angeles). And driving sensibly means 1) a couple ticks over the posted speed limit and 2) don't rush towards red lights (duh) or accelerate violently when the signals turn green.

As a previous hybrid owner (Camry Hybrid) I could never get even the pre 2008 EPA numbers with my driving, which is mostly highway. But in regular vehicles, like the CDI vehicles from Mercedes (and a previous C230 Kompressor) anyone can exceed even the pre-2008 2008 EPA numbers simply by driving like you care about the cost of fuel.

Our fuel is not the same as it is in Europe.

If you check this article http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/entry_luxury/2006_audi_a4_s4_first_drive_review they mention that US fuel has higher sulfur in it. I've read about this fact in other places as well. Here is what Car and Driver says:

"Although FSI does allow engines to run lean air-to-fuel ratios—thus saving fuel—there is a side effect of increased production of NOx. There are catalytic converters that can remove the extra NOx, but the high-sulfur fuel we use in the U.S. contaminates them. There are Audi engines in Europe—including racing powerplants—that use FSI with lean burn, but here, FSI engines run about the same air-to-fuel ratio as port-injected engines. So for us, FSI is short for 'fuel straight injection.'"

And the European efficiency numbers are more realistic IMO. Think about it: If you really care about fuel economy, you will drive the car lightly and get good mileage. I routinely get European effeciency #s (i.e. "extra urban" LOL) in my German cars even with US fuel. That's because I relax and don't pay attention to the morons around me who are rushing towards that red light. They go right past me letting dollar bills fly out of their exhaust pipe at the same time as their brake disks heat up. We arrive at the red light at the same time.

On the highway you can get great mileage going a couple ticks over the speed limit, and don't get caught up in senseless tailgating and other bad road manners. I'm amazed that they introduced the new 2008 EPA #s, they must be to encourage bad road manners, illogical behavior, or permanent traffic jams. WTF??? I've always exceeded pre-2008 EPA #s just by relaxing behind the wheel, and enjoying the ride...

You can get as crappy fuel economy as you want in almost any car. Did you see the Top Gear episode where they pitted the BMW M3 vs. the Prius, and the M3 got better fuel efficiency? It's all about how you drive. Do we really need to reinforce bad driving behavior by lowering our EPA numbers?

I'm still pissed at the EPA for doing that.

The guys from Paramount swore up and down that because this device is in series with the existing control chip (vs. replacing it) the engine log is not aware of it's presence. Therefore it should not void the warranty. I ordered it for a 2008 MB ML320 CDI 4WD SUV and my mileage has gone from 27MPG to 30. It should pay for itself in about 12-15 months @ $4.75/gallon. Case closed.

I took note of AutoBlogGreen's article at the end of June http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/26/paramount-tuners-get-more-for-their-diesel-16-more-they-say/ and ordered the sweet aftermarket item and now I get over 30MPG from my Mercedes ML320 CDI turbodiesel "Road Tank." Yes you can have your cake and eat it too!

Hi Joseph, my observation is the new 2008 EPA numbers are meant for 17 year old males racing through a maze of red lights with the A/C on. A couple days ago some Mercedes Benz service personnel delivered my car to my workplace, driving 20 miles through moderate traffic - they averaged 17.5MPG. So: if you act like an idiot, rush towards stoplights and away from stoplights or just plain don't care, you can get as terrible mileage as you want.

To directly answer your question, diesels seem to be able to be "stroked" (in a nice way) more easily than gasoline engines. This is because a HUGE amount of torque is available at an extremely low RPM, so one does not need to rev the engine to some high RPM for acceptible acceleration.

On the other hand, if you constantly floor the dang thing you can still waste as much fuel as you want - the acceleration (0-60MPH) for the ML320 CDI is equal to the ML350 in that regard. And you can likely get it to have just as rotton fuel economy if you so desire.

But it's a smooth, quiet diesel - with oodles of oomph at very low RPM. You can accelerate acceptibly with barely a touch of the accelerator - all the while getting great fuel effeciency. It's definitely a distinct luxury being able to go 750 miles per tank. I swear it's the greatest vehicle I have ever owned.