Mercedes-Benz is poised to become the first car maker to sell a diesel-electric hybrid, following confirmation from chairman Dieter Zetsche that the E-class will get such a system next year.
The new car, to be badged E300 Hybrid when sales begin in late 2011, uses a specially tuned version of Mercedes-Benz’s twin-turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine from the E250 CDI.
It combines that powerplant with a brushless electric motor and a lithium ion battery similar to that employed in the S400 Hybrid.
The new E-class will be a mild hybrid, meaning the electric motor is used to assist the diesel engine rather than propelling the car on its own.
However, the economy of the E300 Hybrid is said to match the figures of a typical small car, at more than 56mpg on the combined cycle.
Following its debut in the E-class, the new driveline will then be used in the M, GL and R-classes, as well as the GLK.
Greg Kable
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Re: Merc plans diesel hybrid E-class
I want to beimpressed, but the numbers aren't overly attractive. A normal 3 series gets the same MPG and the ED model gets past it. Even the 5 series is knocking on the door of this MPG.
Should Mercedes just be devloping their normal engines before trying to make this type of hybrid? They are effectively making a hybrid of an already existing and more efficient 3 series.
Re: Merc plans diesel hybrid E-class
Anyone know if this car is coming to the UK? The S400 hasn't been sold here so it may never reach these shores...
Re: Merc plans diesel hybrid E-class
Call me a sceptic but I have this increasing suspicion that the sudden BMW and MB interest in hybrids is largely a result of the new EU corporate CO2 limits being measured by the standard EU 11km urban and extra urban test cycle.
All we heard up to last year from the German carmakers was how diesels were inherently better than hybrids based on their very real success in diesel development.
Now "mild hybrid " is the thing for BMW and MB. I suspect the key word is "mild" because if you can get a just big enough battery in any E class,M class,5 series or X3/5 then you can run the EU 11km test cylce with almost no engine power much of the time so you get a spectaular CO2/mpg result. That isn't just for advertising or the income tax benefits in the lucrative UK company market, it fundementally allows you to keep selling big, profitable cars in the EU at all.
My sceptism will be proved wrong if the Germans suddenly copy toyaota go full hybrid across all their ranges, otherwise......