Mercedes has announced that the BlueTEC technology will also be available for the latest version of the G-Class family, which, incidentally, is celebrating its 31st anniversary.

The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC will be powered by a V6 diesel engine that delivers a total of 210 horsepower at 3400 rpm and a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm.

Developed by Mercedes, the BlueTEC is a revolutionary technology that is designed to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide emissions.

As far as the technology that lies in the G 350, the BlueTEC version in the car uses AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process, in turn, releases ammonia, which converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.

Since the G-Class has been known to drive in some pretty inhabited areas around the world, Mercedes engineers made things a little easier for those driving the G350 BlueTEC by integrating the filler cap in the vehicle's outside tank recess. Also of importance is that a full tank of the AdBlue can last for around 12,000 kilometers.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Mercedes G350 BlueTEC

Specifications
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  • Model: 2010 Mercedes G350 BlueTEC
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Press release

The latest version of the classic Mercedes-Benz G-Class off-roader, now in its 31st year, features state-of-the-art BlueTEC technology. BlueTEC is a Mercedes-Benz-developed technology designed to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The BlueTEC version of the G-Class uses AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process releases ammonia, which converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter. Since the G-Class is often used in remote areas of the world – one of its main purposes – the engineers have simplified matters by integrating the AdBlue® filler cap in the vehicle's outside tank recess. One full tank of AdBlue® is good for around 12,000 kilometres.

The V6 diesel engine in the G 350 BlueTEC develops 155 kW (210 hp) at 3400 rpm and has a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm. This model therefore produces substantially fewer emissions than the previous G 350 CDI model – undercutting the limits of the EU5 standard and, in particular, reducing NOx emissions by around 50 % – yet still delivers comparable performance.

A full range: the current G-Class


The "G" family currently has three body variants – short-wheelbase Station Wagon, long-wheelbase Station Wagon and Convertible – which can be combined with either the new BlueTEC engine, as described, or a powerful 5.5‑litre V8 petrol engine developing 285 kW (388 hp) with a torque of 530 Nm. The flagship G 55 AMG model – available only as a four-door, long-wheelbase Station Wagon – is powered by a V8 supercharged engine developing 373 kW (507 hp) with an impressive peak torque of 700 Nm.

The evergreen Mercedes-Benz off-roader continues to offer a superior synthesis of high-performance drive and dynamic handling control systems. The standard specification includes the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

A series of awards: the G-Class in readers' polls


The stalwart of the off-road scene continues to enjoy success after success, as underlined by the latest readers' polls. In the readers' poll for "Off-roader of the Year 2010" held by the motoring magazine "Off Road", the legendary G-Class notched up a double success: it won first place in the "Luxury off-roader" category, while the special EDITION.PUR model, which entered production in 2009 to mark the 30th anniversary of the G-Class, took second place in the "Classic" category.

These latest public awards make the G-Class one of the most popular and highly acclaimed models in the world of off-road vehicles, as a look at the other major awards received in recent years reveals. For the seventh time, the readers of "Off Road" have awarded the title of "Off-roader of the Year" to the G-Class, following its successes in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In its 2007 and 2009 readers' polls, the off-road magazine "4Wheel Fun" declared the "G" to be a "Superstar". Following its successes in 2003 and 2007, the readers of "Motor Klassik" once again voted the Mercedes-Benz G-Class the "Classic of the Future" last year. And no less than 14 times, readers of the motoring magazine "auto motor und sport" have chosen the G-Class as the world's best off-road vehicle.