Daimler-owned Mercedes-Benz has launched the C350 Plug-In Hybrid in Detroit at NAIAS. Its heart and soul is a plug-in hybrid system encompassing a conventional four-cylinder 2.0-liter gasoline motor mixed up with a brushless electric motor and a water-cooled lithium-ion battery pack that has a capacity of 6.2 kWh. The combustion engine generates 208 bhp (155 kW) and 349 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque and works together with the electric motor that provides an extra 80 bhp (60 kW) & 251 lb-ft (340 Nm). As a result of this hardware setup, the compact executive sedan has a combined output of 275 bhp (205 kW) and 599 Nm (442 lb-ft).
The C350 Plug-In Hybrid has a rear-wheel drive layout and is fitted with a revised 7-speed automatic transmission which allows the model to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in a decent 5.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The wagon is a bit slower due to the added weight so it does the sprint in 6.2s and tops out at 153 mph (246 km/h).
It should be mentioned the added battery pack has lowered cargo capacity by 15 liters which means the trunk can now hold 335 liters in the sedan and 350 liters in the wagon. The batteries have increased weight by 220 lbs (100 kg) and provide enough juice for an electric range of up to 31 km (19.3 miles). Used as a hybrid, the Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid has an average fuel consumption of 2.1 liters / 100 km and emits just 48 g/km of CO2.
The orders books will be opened very soon and Mercedes-Benz will start deliveries in March.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
