In California and in states that adopted California-style legislation, diesel cars must meet emission standards equivalent to at least Tier 2 Bin 5 (NOx = 0.07 g/mi). It was certified as a Tier 2 Bin 8 vehicle (NOx = 0.20 g/mi), and available in the 45 states that follow federal emission standards. The E320 Bluetec was launched in October 2006. “We hope California has shed its anti-diesel reputation by certifying this vehicle as the first diesel passenger car to meet the most stringent smog emission standards in the world,” said Tom Cackette, executive director of the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The E320 Bluetec is lease-priced on a par with its gasoline sibling, the E350, in spite of the higher cost of the diesel engine and aftertreatment system compared to the gasoline version. It is the first time in more than a decade that diesel cars are available in California.īeginning October 15, MBUSA offers its E320 Bluetec to customers under a two-year/24,000 mile lease program. Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) unveiled a version of its E320 Bluetec diesel sedan that will immediately be available in limited numbers to California customers through a special limited mileage lease program.