In a sudden change of heart, Mercedes-Benz has indefinitely shelved plans to sell the four-cylinder-diesel-powered ML250 BlueTec in the U.S. The ML250 would have been powered by the same basic 2.1-liter twin-turbo diesel that鈥檚 found in the new-for-2013 GLK250 BlueTec. While Mercedes has no definitive time frame to bring the ML250 stateside, we understand that it definitely won鈥檛 arrive for 2014 as originally planned, but it鈥檚 possible the SUV could come a year later as a 2015 model. Benz offered no explanation for the delay, but we believe that the company is happy with the success of the ML350 BlueTec six-cylinder diesel, which fetches around 15 percent of all MLs sold in the U.S. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer never announced whether the four-cylinder would replace or supplement the six-cylinder, but either decision is fraught with peril. Replacing the torquey and pleasing V-6 with a four-pot would drag the M-class to a lower point in the marketplace, positioned uncomfortably close to the GLK250 BlueTec. If the 250 mill was merely to be another diesel offering in the ML lineup, it could cannibalize sales from the larger, more expensive 350 BlueTec. When Mercedes first announced this engine for the M-class, no technical specifications were revealed, but we鈥檇 expected numbers similar to those produced by the oil-burning GLK: 190 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. We previously had concerns about this lump鈥檚 ability to motivate the ML when considering the current diesel-powered vehicle, the ML350 BlueTec, boasts figures of 240 horses and 455 lb-ft. Comparison Test: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel vs. Of course, the ML350 BlueTec is sufficient to meet today鈥檚 emissions standards, and at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, it outperforms the gasoline-powered ML350鈥榮 18/23 ratings with relative ease. On the other hand, the four-cylinder could have given Mercedes a significant improvement in fuel efficiency as the European-spec ML250 BlueTec is 13 percent more efficient than its six-cylinder counterpart.

In a sudden change of heart, Mercedes-Benz has indefinitely shelved plans to sell the four-cylinder-diesel-powered ML250 BlueTec in the U.S. The ML250 would have been powered by the same basic 2.1-liter twin-turbo diesel that鈥檚 found in the new-for-2013 GLK250 BlueTec. While Mercedes has no definitive time frame to bring the ML250 stateside, we understand that it definitely won鈥檛 arrive for 2014 as originally planned, but it鈥檚 possible the SUV could come a year later as a 2015 model. Benz offered no explanation for the delay, but we believe that the company is happy with the success of the ML350 BlueTec six-cylinder diesel, which fetches around 15 percent of all MLs sold in the U.S. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer never announced whether the four-cylinder would replace or supplement the six-cylinder, but either decision is fraught with peril. Replacing the torquey and pleasing V-6 with a four-pot would drag the M-class to a lower point in the marketplace, positioned uncomfortably close to the GLK250 BlueTec. If the 250 mill was merely to be another diesel offering in the ML lineup, it could cannibalize sales from the larger, more expensive 350 BlueTec. When Mercedes first announced this engine for the M-class, no technical specifications were revealed, but we鈥檇 expected numbers similar to those produced by the oil-burning GLK: 190 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. We previously had concerns about this lump鈥檚 ability to motivate the ML when considering the current diesel-powered vehicle, the ML350 BlueTec, boasts figures of 240 horses and 455 lb-ft. Comparison Test: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel vs. Of course, the ML350 BlueTec is sufficient to meet today鈥檚 emissions standards, and at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, it outperforms the gasoline-powered ML350鈥榮 18/23 ratings with relative ease. On the other hand, the four-cylinder could have given Mercedes a significant improvement in fuel efficiency as the European-spec ML250 BlueTec is 13 percent more efficient than its six-cylinder counterpart.

It鈥檚 hard to get excited about the Mercedes-Benz ML. It鈥檚 a car for the Lululemon/spiced pumpkin latte/jogging stroller set - a car for those who have given up corporate life to blog about how being a parent makes them the Most Important Person in the World. In other words, it鈥檚 a trendy mom wagon. The M-Series was originally designed to replace the iconic G Wagen - a rugged, military-grade machine equally at home on the streets of Monaco as it is the dunes of Namibia. And if you so choose, you can even get an ML with a burly, oil-burning diesel - like the ML250 BlueTEC - and it鈥檚 the fanciest way to roll coal. Well, okay鈥?this ML250 BlueTEC doesn鈥檛 belch out huge, thick clouds of smoke. It鈥檚 a 鈥渃lean鈥?diesel, scrubbing the exhaust to make emissions as clean as possible. Still, it has that proper, semi truck-like clattering one expects from a diesel, giving this kid hauler a much-needed dose of toughness. This engine has the specs to back up that sound, too.

Sure, it鈥檚 just a 2.1-liter four-banger, but with twin turbos on board it cranks out 200 hp and a massive 369 lb-ft of torque. As with the rest of the engines in the ML lineup, this diesel powerplant is mated to a smooth-shifting 7-speed auto and gets the power to the ground via the standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. And since it鈥檚 still dumping snow across parts of the US, we figured now would be a great time to fully exploit the ML鈥檚 all-weather capabilities. We could charge through snowbanks, satisfyingly smash those half-melted piles of slush, and scrabble for traction over mud-covered surfaces. However, our SoCal winter weekends consist of 80-degree beach weather, so we鈥檇 need to drive far to find suitable terrain. It鈥檚 quickly decided, then, that we take the ML 250 BlueTEC snowboarding. We pile in some friends, throw in our gear and charge toward the mountains in search of cold weather.

This Benz offers over 30 cubic feet of cargo space aft of the rear seats - spacious, yes, but not enough to carry both a full crew and snowboards. We limit this trip to just three riders (including driver) so that we can fold down one of the rear seats to fit all our gear inside. All boards, boots and jackets fit, and everyone has ample space to stretch out, but we鈥檇 still be hard-pressed to carry more cargo. The ride to the mountain is smooth, easy and drama-free. At a steady-state cruise, the ML 250 BlueTEC鈥檚 information display is showing that we have about 600 miles of range, which sounds great, but that may be due more to it鈥檚 24.6-gallon fuel tank than its estimated 29 mpg highway. The ride is quiet, too - with no road noise or diesel clatter finding its way into the cabin. 4,900 option that fills the space with soft, quilted Nappa leather; matte-finish wood trim; and black DINAMICA headliner.