The New Mercedes-Benz C350e

The New Mercedes-Benz C350e

Following its premiere in the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is now offering its most advanced hybrid technology yet in the C-Class. With a range of 20 miles in purely electric mode, local emission-free driving is now a reality. Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, in conjunction with a powerful electric motor, gives it a total system output of 275 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. This allows the new C350e to deliver the performance of a sports car while still offering exemplary fuel consumption. In addition, the standard AIRMATIC air suspension and convenient Pre-Entry Climate Control system that can be controlled via the internet create a truly exceptional level of driving and climate comfort. Following the C300 BlueTEC HYBRID, the C350e is the second hybrid model in the new C-Class and the second Mercedes-Benz model to feature PLUG-IN HYBRID technology. Thanks to the combination of combustion engine and electric drive, hybrid drive systems deliver impressively low fuel consumption with high performance. The electric motor is able to replace or support the combustion engine in a variety of situations, while making practical use of energy generated while braking by converting it into electric energy and storing it.

The C350e uses the most advanced form of hybrid technology currently available. Its electrical energy storage unit is a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 6.2 kWh, which can be charged from an external power source to effectively contribute to the low consumption and emission figures. The battery is water-cooled, weighs around 220 pounds and is mounted in a sheet-steel housing underneath the rear axle in order to maximize crash safety, driving dynamics and trunk space. Thanks to an intelligent on-board charging system, the battery can be quickly recharged at a wallbox, at one of the growing number of public charging points or even charged via a standard domestic socket. Despite the space taken up by the battery, the C350e Sedan still offers a trunk capacity of 11.8 cubic feet. In the new Mercedes-Benz C350e, the hybrid drive concept is combined for the first time with an efficient four-cylinder gasoline engine. From a displacement of just under two liters, it produces 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Its direct injection system with spray-guided combustion uses electronically precise controlled multiple injection and fast multi-spark ignition to deliver outstanding performance coupled with high efficiency and exemplary emissions.

The electric motor of the C350e has an output of up to 80 horsepower and delivers 251 lb-ft of torque. Overall, the C350e offers a total system output of 275 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid module of the standard 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS incorporates both the electric motor and an additional clutch between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When driving in all-electric mode, this decouples the combustion engine from the drive train. It also offers the possibility of moving off using the combustion engine with the performance of a wet start-up clutch. In this case, the clutch is a substitute for the torque converter. The high overall system output and intelligent engine management give this model the dynamic performance of a nimble sports car. This is combined with the ride comfort of a premium sedan, along with fuel consumption and environmental compatibility at a level that, until not that long ago, would not even have been expected of many small cars. The Sedan can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph.

The C350e also offers the possibility of driving up to 20 miles in all-electric mode, and thus completely free of CO2 emissions locally. Driving the new C350e is just as intuitive as any other automatic vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. Simply climb in, start the engine and off you go. On your journey you will enjoy its exemplary efficiency and, if you so wish, you can kick down to experience the superb acceleration of the electric motor. The C350e offers all the characteristics of a state-of-the-art hybrid vehicle. Silent start: The vehicle starts virtually silently and runs in electric mode. At this point, the combustion engine is generally held inactive. Electric output of up to 80 horsepower is available for driving in all-electric mode. Boost: The electric motor kicks in to boost the output of the combustion engine by a further 80 horsepower- for example for rapid acceleration. Energy recuperation: During braking and coasting, energy is recovered and stored in the battery.