TrueBlueSolutions is the name of Mercedes-Benz’s sustainability strategy which we are employing to pursue the goal of emission-free mobility. One of its elements consists of the BlueTEC and BlueEFFICIENCY technologies, applied in two of the GL models: the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and the GL 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY.

BlueTEC is an innovative catalytic technology from Mercedes-Benz which significantly reduces the pollutant emissions from diesel engines (which already operate with a relatively low level of CO2 emissions). In the exhaust gas system which works in several stages, an oxidation catalytic converter and a particulate filter first reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate emissions, leaving only water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Then AdBlue® comes into play. The liquid is injected into the exhaust system with the nitrogen oxides. Ammonia is formed, which reduces by 80 percent the nitrogen oxides in the SCR catalytic converter downstream. What now remains is water and harmless nitrogen. With this, the drive system of the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC is considered one of the cleanest diesel drive systems in the world.

BlueEFFICIENCY is a package of measures designed to increase the engine’s efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions in the GL 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY and the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC: the three-pointed star on the radiator has been fully sealed; this, together with the spoiler in front of the front wheels, ensures that the airflow over and around the vehicle meets with less resistance. By means of a special tread profile and a modified rubber blend, it was possible to lower rolling resistance significantly. Apart from this, the electrohydraulic power steering increases energy efficiency noticeably.