Mercedes launch latest plug-in hybrid as electric onslaught continues

The latest machine will comprise of a 31.2kWh battery alongside a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. The latest vehicle is capable of running solely on electric power for 62 miles according to WLTP estimates. Top speeds max out at 130mph, but impressively, the car will be able to run at up to 100mph solely on electric power.

Plug-in hybrids are also an important milestone on the way to emission-free driving.

Mercedes

Mercedes latest vehicle boasts a duel charging socket opposite the fuel filler cap, where it is capable of taking both an AC and DC charger.

The battery can be topped up from 10 percent to 100 percent with a 30 minute charge at a docking station, taking five hours to charge from a conventional power socket.

Mercedes claims the car can go from 0-62mph in just 6.8 seconds with the vehicle set to be the largest in the EQ Power family.

From a design perspective, the car offers large fitted wheels and a long wheelbase, giving passengers in the back lots of legroom for long journeys.

But, the larger battery does compromise boot space slightly, which drops from 2055 litres to 1915 litres.

The manufacturer says the new car has the latest in driving assistance systems, with active safety improved further compared to previous models of the SUV’s.

Prices start from around £60,000 and could be seen on Britain’s roads by the start of next year.

This vehicle is the latest in the company’s onslaught of electric technology in their road car project.

By the end of the year, Mercedes will have more than ten plug-in hybrids in their range, increasing this to 20 by the end of next year.

One of these is the latest GLC 300e 4Matic machine which will run on a smaller 13.5k kWh battery.

The GLC 300e claims to run on electric power for 27 miles but is a boost on its previous models.

The top speed in electric mode is 81mph but will only support an AC charging system like its GLC predecessor.

In a press release, the company backed up its strategy of plug-in development which they say offers customers the best of both worlds.

They said: “In town they run in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the range of the combustion engine.

“They make the vehicle more efficient overall, because they can firstly recover energy during braking and secondly allow the combustion engine to run in favourable operating ranges.

“Plug-in hybrids are also an important milestone on the way to emission-free driving.

“Mercedes Benz Cars is systematically developing its plug-in hybrids further under the EQ Power label.”

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