While you may not have noticed, there’s a shift occurring in the consumer mindset at gas stations nationwide.

Mercedes-Benz noticed. That’s why they’re offering–again–a diesel engine in the upscale S-Class sedan for 2011. The automaker had halted diesel engine options for U.S. consumers with the end of the 1995 S-Class model year, reserving the higher-efficiency (and higher cost) diesels for our European counterparts. Shame, shame. Not on Mercedes, but on the slow uptake of Americans.

The new S350 sedan will feature a 3.5-liter BlueTec V6 engine with fuel economy ratings of 28-29 mpg highway. Car shoppers who dig M-B’s diesel power can also check out the M-Class and GL-Class SUVs. (Or, you could pick up a mild hybrid S400 too.) While you’ll deal with a slightly higher per-gallon cost of diesel (since 2004 the price has generally been higher than that of gasoline), you’ll reap increased mileage minus the nasty perception thanks to newer, ultra-low-sulfur diesel. It’s worth noting that the federal excise tax on diesel is only 6 cents, versus 24.4 cents per gallon on gasoline.