Illustrating its continued development and investment in hybrid cars, Mercedes-Benz has launched two “all-new” hybrid models at the current North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit – the E300 Bluetec Hybrid and the E400 Hybrid.
Available both in saloon and estate derivatives, the E300 Bluetec Hybrid will, according to Mercedes, only consume 4,2 litres of fuel per 100 km. The turbodiesel engine delivers 150 kW and a very healthy 500 N.m while the electric motor chips in with 20 kW and 250 N.m.
In the E400 Hybrid, the V6 petrol engine produces 225 kW and 370 N.m. As is the case with the E300 BlueTEC, the electric motor adds a further 20 kW and 250 N.m. The result is a combined consumption, tested according to American CAFE standards, of 8,7 litres per 100 km.
Mercedes also confirmed that this current modular hybrid technology would pave the way for further hybrid models in the rest of the company’s model ranges. This means the company can be selective as to which models will be adapted with hybrid technology for specific markets.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG, had the following to say regarding Mercedes-Benz plans for the year ahead:
“2012 will see us push forward with our product offensive and repeat two things that worked extremely well last year – we will launch another six new models and we will set the bar even higher by making green cars cooler and cool cars greener”.
Currently the E300 Bluetec Hybrid is planned for the European market, and the E400 Hybrid for America, followed by Japan and China. A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz South Africa confirmed that once production of the right-hand drive versions of these hybrids have started, they will consider both for the South African market.
