New Car Scoop

After a long history of being very uncouth to drive, diesel cars are starting to make a comeback for more than just their economy and “green” association. Many Hollywood stars previously seen in cars like the Toyota Prius are now moving back towards their large, ostentatious SUVs. However, at least they are using diesel SUVs with “BlueTEC” technology that allows for the ultra-low sulfer diesel to burn extra clean. Back in th 70s and 80s, diesels were known for their putrid smell, ultra-loud clatter and less than consistent cranking in the cold. However, the newest crop of direct injection and common rail diesel engines are as good (if not better) than their petrol counterparts. As cool as it is to be “green,” with the likes of Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani, Katherine Heigel, and Naomi Watts driving the newest Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, it’s much cooler to be “blue.”

More from the official press release below:

Hollywood drives BlueTEC: Stars from Motion Pictures, Television and Music Go Green with Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC

When Academy Award Nominee Naomi Watts celebrated her 40th birthday in Los Angeles this fall, her partner Liev Schreiber (“X-Men,” “The Manchurian Candidate”) surprised her with a spectacular present; a Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC. Liev and Naomi are among the actors and musicians to discover the exceptional performance, efficiency, and high cruising range of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC models, the world’s cleanest and most advanced diesels.

In addition to Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts, fellow BlueTEC drivers from motion pictures and television include “Desperate Housewives” star Kyle MacLachlan, “Sex and the City” siren Kim Cattrall, Academy Award Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Gary Oldman, and “Phantom of the Opera” star and singer Emmy Rossum. “My ML320 BlueTEC has all the power and luxury you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz, plus the efficiency and low environmental impact of an economy or even hybrid vehicle,” says Emmy Rossum. “BlueTEC really is the best of both worlds.” Also from the world of music, pop superstar Gwen Stefani and her husband, musician Gavin Rossdale, have a BlueTEC parked in their driveway, as does singer Josh Kelley (husband of “Grey’s Anatomy” star Katherine Heigl).

Seven-time Grammy winning artist Alanis Morissette chose the fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC for the video of “Underneath”, the first single and video from her latest album, “Flavors of Entanglement.” In the video, Alanis is sitting at a bus stop wearing a “Save the Earth” t-shirt and distributing fliers to encourage concern for the environment. When a Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC passes by, Alanis salutes the Mercedes driver in appreciation for their environmentally aware choice. “Making green choices on a local level is important in creating global change,” says Alanis. “I’m glad that Mercedes-Benz has introduced a great option with BlueTEC.”

BlueTEC have also starred in some of the hottest television shows and series this season, including “90210″ (CW), “The Amazing Race” (CBS), “Privileged” (CW), “Starter Wife” (USA Network), and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC).

About Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC

The BlueTEC wave began in October 2006 when Mercedes-Benz introduced the E320 BlueTEC sedan; it immediately captured accolades from consumers and critics alike and was voted “2007 World Green Car of the Year.” Now Mercedes-Benz has expanded the BlueTEC product range with the introduction of three new SUV’s – the R, ML and GL 320 BlueTEC – the first diesel SUV’s to meet the stringent emissions standards of all 50 States. The term “BlueTEC” is derived from the revolutionary AdBlue process that injects a reducing agent in the vehicle’s exhaust line, thereby clearly reducing emissions.