Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel-hybrid coming next year

It appears that Mercedes-Benz has big plans for 2011 as it will be the first car manufacturer to sell a diesel-electric hybrid, according to chairman Dieter Zetsche. The model which will get this technology will be the E-Class and will be called E300 Hybrid.

According to our sources, the new model will carry a twin-turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine found on the E250 CDI but also the brushless electric motor and a lithium ion battery similar the technology found on the S400 Hybrid. Also, the new vehicle will be a mild hybrid, which means that the electric motor will only assist the diesel engine and will not be used to propel the car on its own. The good news is that the new E300 Hybrid will be capable to deliver an impressive fuel consumption of 56mpg on the combined cycle and if the car will be a success, then expect to see this technology also on the M-, GL- and R-Class but also on the smaller GLK.

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