Mercedes- Benz E 300 BlueTech Hybrid, Prices and Specs Revealed

Prices and specifications for the new Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, the most efficient E-Class production car yet created, have been announced. The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Saloon is priced from £39,645.00 OTR while the Estate variant starts at £41,435.00 OTR. The BIK rates range from 12 per cent.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels – 16-inch wheels can be fitted as a no-cost option to achieve the lowest possible CO₂ and economy figures. Also included is leather upholstery, Becker Map Pilot Navigation and LED daytime running lights. The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid brings together a powerful yet highly efficient 2,143cc, four-cylinder diesel engine. Developing 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque, it is linked to a 20 kW electric motor mounted within the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission powered by a 19kW Lithium-ion battery.

The result is the ability to accelerate from rest to 100kmph in 7.5-seconds (Estate: 7.8-seconds) before reaching a maximum speed of 232kmph when required. When fitted with the 16-inch wheels, the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is capable of returning 28kmpl on the combined cycle while emitting as little as 109 g/km of CO₂ (116 g/km).

The Hybrid system is intricately packaged within the vehicle so as not to impact on the versatility or load capacity of the E-Class in any way. The electric motor, for instance, is mounted within the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. The gearbox substitutes a torque converter for a wet clutch system, therefore allowing for the internal combustion engine to be disengaged entirely via the clutch and for electric-only drive to be maintained for short periods, boosting economy. Such is the level of integration that the addition of the electric motor adds on 65 mm to the total length of the transmission.

UK deliveries of the new E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid are set to start in November.