2013 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid priced from $55,800* Mercedes-Benz has added the E400 Hybrid to the E-Class range for the 2013 model year, and we've now learned that the gasoline-electric sedan will be priced from $55,800, (*)not including $905 for destination. The E400 Hybrid originally debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. The E400 Hybrid comes packed with a 3.0-liter V6 direct-injection engine good for 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, supplemented by an electric motor (rated at 27 hp and 207 lb-ft). Official fuel economy ratings haven't been released for the E400 Hybrid just yet, but preliminary data (and the big ol' number on the side of the car) suggests 24 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/2013-mercedes-benz-e400-hybrid-priced-from-55-800/
an update As of last month the current E-Class sedan was sold more than 600,000 times since 2009, while the latest version of the station wagon found more than 100,000 customers. The E-Class sedan is in particularly high demand in China (including Hong Kong), the U.S. and in Germany, while the station wagon is very popular especially in Western Europe. The Cabriolet of the newest series of the E-Class was sold more than 60,000 times, while the current E-Class Coupé found around 50,000 customers. The great interest in the convertible and the coupe was primarily focused in the U.S. and in Western Europe. Translated from MB Passion
Uhh, the current E350 does that. In fact, I've gotten 32 mpg in the current E350 gas. The point of a hybrid is to improve (drastically) those city numbers. Most luxury hybrids, such as the Lexus GS450H are epic fails. They don't offer any significant boost in fuel mileage and just create major headaches down the road.
Agree, the E is like the Juggernaut of cars in pursuits. The C-Class could have done the same thing though. Both these cars share the same front suspension design.
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC HYBRID Awarded A+ Efficiency Rating & Environmental Certificate The Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has just been awarded a Class A+ energy efficiency rating along with an Environmental Certificate after going through the TUV Sud Life Cycle Assessment. The vehicle passed the tests conducted by the independent inspection body. It has been projected that the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID produces 23 percent less CO2 emissions compared to an E 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. That’s over the vehicle’s life cycle, from being a finished vehicle to being used for over 250,000 kilometers, and even through to recovery. In addition, future vehicle recycling standards were also taken into consideration even while the vehicle was still being developed. As a result, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID easily meets the required 95 percent recycling rate by weight. Already, some of the car’s components have been produced out of recycled plastic materials. There are also some materials made from natural materials. “The modular hybrid technology is opening the way for us to quickly expand other model series with the addition of hybrid models,” said Daimler AG’s Chief Environmental Officer, Professor Herbert Kohler. http://www.benzinsider.com/2012/08/...-efficiency-rating-environmental-certificate/
A diesel hybrid makes much more sense than a conventional hybrid, because you get superior economy of a diesel engine, the electric motor brings the emissions down and the lithium ion battery pack means that boot capacity is not compromised. The E300 BH should be a hit with company car drivers. However, I think Mercedes should have launched the E300 BH already as a diesel plug-in hybrid.
I I agree. More a marketing gimmick than anything else I reckon. Unless you do 99% of your driving in urban areas.
i just wonder what would be the image impact/problem if Mercedes/BMW/Audi hadn't done the hybrid thing. Clearly a diesel is better, but they were dragged into this by the market and the competition. These German hybrids just don't make sense, especially those that try to emphasize power + efficiency instead if frugality/MPGs. I'm starting to think they Germans should have just stuck to their guns with diesels, but their hybrids just don't sell, at least in the U.S. Their diesels do better. M
27mpg, 6.7 to 60mph??? WHAT A JOKE!! BMW 528 has 28mpg and 5.8 to 60 without a Hybrid and cost $8000 less.
Respective engines? Mercedes v6 engines can't come even close to 4-cyl BMW in performance not to mentioned fuel economy. If you compare 6 cylinder is even more embarrassing.
MBUSA has not yet released the E400 HYBRID as far as I can tell. Maybe they'll cancel it? GM recently cancelled their SUV Hybrids: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/gm-cancels-next-gen-hybrid-truck-suv-program/
It seems like for the luxury segment, Lexus seems to be the most stalwart defender of hybrids, the only one to have it as its core identity (eg. all flagships are hybrids). Yes, I believe the Germans should have stuck to their guns with diesels - but maybe it isn't so practical in Asian countries where petrol engines are still seen as a superior. Perhaps they did it due to the image issue, which is particularly important for China and India. Overall, I think it is a sound strategy to have a direct answer to Lexus and Infiniti... and still have diesels at the same time.
Another option, Model S with 89 MPG EPA combined? http://www.teslamotors.com/models/specs http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=32557
I guess as long as they have the R&D budget to perfect both technologies then I guess it works. However just as some posts above point out, cars like the E400 are just outclassed within MB's own lineup and by the BMW 528i. I just don't ever see myself wanting or owning a hybrid outside of hyper sports car hybrid like the Porsche 918. Otherwise it just isn't worth it to me. M
