Mercedes E300, E400 BlueTEC Hybrid unveiled at Detroit

Mercedes-Benz chief Dieter Zetsche pulled the wraps off the 2013 E-Class Hybrids today at the Detroit Auto Show.

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.

Mercedes said the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID will be the world’s most fuel-efficient full-size vehicle (4.2 l/100 km). The four-cylinder diesel in the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID delivers 150 kW(204 hp) and generates 500 Nm of torque. The electric motor develops 20 kW and 250 Nm.

The E 400 hybrid uses the same powertrain setup as its S-Class big brother: the car starts with a traditional gas-powered 3.5-liter V-6 that is supplemented by an electric motor. It has a total output of 329 horses and 457 lb-ft of torque.

It gets an adjusted, “U.S.-style” 27 mpg, presumably combined, which indicates a highway fuel economy figure in the low-to-mid 30 mpg range, and a city rating around 23 mpg.

“This modular hybrid technology opens the way for us to add hybrid models to other model ranges in the near future,” said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

“With a clear focus on the varying needs of the global markets, we can offer precisely those models that our customers are demanding. Alongside a considerable reduction in fuel consumption, the E Class hybrids are very impressive to drive – this is hybrid driving on a premium level.”

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