Mercedes has announced that they plan on building an E300 Bluetec Hybrid starting later this year—representing the company’s first foray into the world of diesel-electric hybrids. The car will reach European dealerships by early 2011. No word on whether or not Merc has any plans to release the vehicle in the States yet… so if you want it here, start making your voices heard now.
The car will be powered by the 2.2 liter, four cylinder, CDI engine from the E250. Reportedly Mercedes says the car can eek out more then 56 mpg. Granted that number is using British imperial gallons on the European test cycle. But, after doing the conversions and accounting for the fact that US EPA standard mpg estimates are usually 15% lower than European mpg estimates, we end up with roughly 40 mpg US. Considering how big and safe (read heavy) the E300 is, that is certainly an impressive number.
Based on reader reaction to numerous previous posts here at Gas 2.0, diesel-electric hybrids are a type of vehicle that has always had a fervent following. Given that diesel is currently undergoing a resurgence in the US with both VW and Audi reporting huge demand for their new clean diesel cars, hopefully Mercedes will take it as a hint that the US is also ready for a diesel-electric hybrid.
Source: Autocar
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My VW Jetta Sport Wagon gets in the 40s without any batteries.
My VW Jetta Sport Wagon gets in the 40s without any batteries.
It makes sense that it’s a luxury car that gets it
first, the combination of hybrid and diesel would be
a pretty big add-on to the price of your average car.
It makes sense that it’s a luxury car that gets it
first, the combination of hybrid and diesel would be
a pretty big add-on to the price of your average car.
Why isn’t vw & audi doing this? Diesel Hybrids
Why isn’t vw & audi doing this? Diesel Hybrids
I believe VW did a prototype Golf that was a diesel/electric hybrid. They have the technology but they didn’t believe that people would pony up the $$$ for it and I think it was expensive to make so there was no plans to actually put it into production. Maybe if the Merc sells well they’ll change their minds.
I believe VW did a prototype Golf that was a diesel/electric hybrid. They have the technology but they didn’t believe that people would pony up the $$$ for it and I think it was expensive to make so there was no plans to actually put it into production. Maybe if the Merc sells well they’ll change their minds.