Last month, at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, automaker from Germany, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a couple of their new hybrid versions of their E-Class; one is using diesel engine and one is using gasoline engine. The first is E400. This is a midrange vehicle that uses hybrid gasoline-electric engine and purposed for the United States market. Mercedes-Benz will also sell it in Asian market, especially Japan and China. The second car is E300. This one is using diesel-electric Bluetec Hybrid system. Europe will be the first market for this diesel ride and this car will be available in two different types, which are wagon and sedan.
Those two new cars will bring the same core; Mercedes-Benz calls it as “intelligent modular hybrid concept”. It structures a 20kW electric motor and a pack of lithium-ion battery that has ability to produce 184 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid engine designed by Mercedes-Benz engineers is able to accommodate both gasoline and diesel engine. Mercedes-Benz also equips it a stop/start system that will give significant effect to the fuel economy. According to Mercedes-Benz, the system will also help reduce the emission. Those cars are also given regenerative braking to help keep the power of the battery.
The E400 Hybrid combines the electric motor with a reliable gasoline V6 engine with 3.5-liter of capacity. The combination offers 302 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. This combination should provide EPA fuel economy of 31 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city.
A different combination brought by E300 Bluetec Hybrid; it pairs the electric motor with a turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6 engine. The combination offers 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Some parties expected that this car offer at least combined EPA fuel economy of 56 mpg.
With these new cars, Mercedes-Benz was dared to call itself as the first premium car manufacturer that produces a diesel-hybrid car in Europe. Auto analysts feel optimistic with the cars; they said that the decision to brings those models, especially the E300 Bluetec Hybrid to NAIAS 2012 will open the eyes of customers that diesel engine can also paired with hybrid system.
