Mercedes E300 BlueTEC HYBRID - 67.2 mpg, 109 g of CO₂/km

Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in its brand's core segment and at the same time setting new standards for luxury-class business vehicles: the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, available as a Saloon and Estate, impresses with new record values when it comes to efficiency. It boasts exemplary consumption levels (67.2 mpg¹) as well as impressive performance: the 4-cylinder diesel engine of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has 204 hp and 500 Nm. Combined with an electric motor producing 250 Nm, this results in a coherent overall concept. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the most economical luxury-class vehicle in the world.

The V6 petrol engine in the E 400 HYBRID produces 306 hp and 370 Nm, and is also supplemented by a further 250 Nm from the electric motor. The consumption figures based on the American CAFE standard are: City 24 mpg, Highway 31 mpg, Combined 27 mpg.

"With these two E-Class models we are now continuing our comprehensive hybrid offensive. The modular technology opens up a quick way for us to complement other model series with hybrid models", explains Professor Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "With a clear focus on the different requirements of the global markets, we are able to offer precisely the models which our customers want. The E-Class hybrids provide a clear reduction in consumption as well as a very impressive driving experience: they represent hybrid motoring at the premium level."

The new models do not require their passengers to have to compromise when it comes to space, however, whether in terms of the interior or the luggage compartment. And there are also additional benefits to the intelligent modular hybrid concept, which represents a comprehensive enhancement of the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID which has advanced to the position of clear market leader since 2009: no changes to the vehicle body are required, the hybrid module is both flexible and modular, thus allowing its use in other model series, and in addition to diesel and petrol variants there will also be right-hand drive variants. Meanwhile, the extra cost involved here is only moderate. The new hybrid models will be celebrating their world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show (14 to 22 January 2012) and will appear on the market over the course of the year. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is initially planned to be launched on the European market, while the E 400 HYBRID will be made available on the American market first, followed by other countries such as Japan and China later.

The philosophy: increase efficiency without compromising comfort or use

The new hybrid models from Mercedes-Benz are part of the company's intelligent downsizing strategy which aims to make conventional models perform significantly more efficiently than ever before – without compromising when it comes to driveability or comfort. As part of this move, rather than focusing primarily on regular consumption, the engineers at the company have been examining exemplary consumption levels in everyday traffic. The notorious safety philosophy known as "Real Life Safety", which similarly highlights gains in safety under practical conditions rather than standard crash test results, is now being paired with "Real Life Efficiency".

Take the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID by way of example: the hybrid model is based on the notoriously economical E 250 CDI, but exceeds it in terms of performance and undercuts in terms of fuel consumption by around 15 per cent. The details are as follows:

• E 250CDI: output of 150 kW, max. torque of 500 Nm, top speed of 242 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds, consumption of 57.6 mpg, CO₂ emissions of 129 g/km
• E 350 BlueTEC: output of 155 kW, max. torque of 540 Nm, top speed of 239 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds, consumption of 41.5 mpg, CO₂ emissions of 180 g/km
• E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID: output of 150 kW + 20 kW electric motor, max. torque of 500 Nm + 250 Nm, top speed of 242 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 62  mph in 7.5 seconds, consumption of 67.2 mpg, CO₂ emissions of 109 g/km (values for Saloon)

As a result, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is on a par with the E 300 CDI (170 kW/540 Nm) in practical use. However, it undercuts this model in terms of consumption and CO₂ emissions by around 35 per cent. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID also matches the E 300 CDI when it comes to vehicle weight too.

At the same time, hybridisation also represents an increase in ride comfort: starting up and moving off are practically silent, and the hybrid module also dampens any vibrations from the combustion engine. Furthermore, the vehicle's full range of climate control functions remain available even in start/stop mode.

The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and E 400 HYBRID at a glance:

Model	E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID	E 400 HYBRID
Internal combustion engine	R4 diesel	V6 petrol
Displacement (cc)	2143	3498
Rated output (kW/hp)	150 (204)	225/306
Torque (Nm)	500	370
Transmission	7G-TRONIC PLUS	7G-TRONIC PLUS
Battery	Lithium-ion	Lithium-ion
Output/capacity (kW/kWh)	19/0.8	19/0.8
Output of electric motor (kW)	20	20
Torque of electric motor (Nm)	250	250
Electric range (km)	1.0	1.0
Electric motoring/sailing (km/h)	35/160	35/160
Top speed	242 km/h	130 mph
0 - 100 km/h (s)	7.5
0 - 60 mph (s)	x	6.7
NEDC fuel consumption (l/100 km)	4.2	x
CAFE fuel consumption (mpg)	x	27
CO2 emissions (g/km)	109	n/a

Motoring: sailing along the motorway

The hybrid technology from Mercedes-Benz provides a whole host of additional functions which enhance comfort and efficiency at the same time, while making an overall contribution to creating a special driving experience with
a sense of refined sportiness:

• Stationary vehicle/ECO start/stop function: the combustion engine can already be switched into deceleration mode at speeds below 160 km/h, since ancillary components such as the steering, brakes and air conditioning compressor operate electrically. The combustion engine is restarted quickly, conveniently and almost silently. A special Mercedes feature is the way in which the practical HOLD function interacts with the start/stop system: as soon as the HOLD function is enabled (by fully depressing the brake pedal when stationary), the combustion engine also remains switched off when the driver then takes their foot off the brake pedal. Alternatively, when waiting for longer periods, the gear selector lever can be put into position "P" or the parking brake enabled, thus allowing the driver to remove their foot from the brake pedal.
• Manoeuvring: parking or turning are for the most part carried out in electric mode
• Accelerating: moving off and driving at low loads are carried out in purely electric mode. Accelerating from a standstill is particularly powerful, since the full torque of up to 250 Nm is available from the electric motor
• Boost function: the electric motor supports the combustion engine when accelerating, such as when executing an overtaking manoeuvre, by providing additional drive torque
• Cruising: at constant speeds, the engine control unit shifts the operating range towards lower specific fuel consumption levels
• "Sailing": the so-called "sailing" function can be used at speeds below 160 km/h. With this function, the combustion engine switches off and the desired speed is maintained primarily by using the electric motor, until the batteries need to be recharged
• Recuperation of kinetic energy (regenerative braking) in deceleration mode or when braking: during deceleration (reduction in speed by snapping off the throttle), the electric motor works as a generator and stores the converted kinetic energy back in the high-voltage battery. If the brake pedal is pressed, the generator output is initially increased proportionally for greater deceleration. Only when increased brake pressure is applied are the wheel brakes additionally called upon. To implement these functions, the new hybrid models have brakes which have been specially adapted for recuperation ("energy recuperation")

Comprehensive road tests using different test subjects have shown that it only takes a relatively short time for additional savings to be achieved as drivers learn to make increasingly deliberate and effective use of such functions. They are supported in their use of the features by the display concept of the hybrid models. The central display provides information on the current energy flow and the charge status of the batteries, as well as a top view of the vehicle, depicting the drivetrain and coloured energy flow. The driver is able to monitor fuel consumption via energy/time graphs.