With the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID being presented at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is offering a look ahead to Western Europe’s first diesel hybrid. It pairs a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp) with a powerful hybrid module. Its 15 kW electric motor, positioned between the internal combustion engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission, assists the diesel engine when the car is accelerating (boost effect) and is used for the recuperation of braking energy in alternator mode, although it is also suitable for driving using electric power alone. Based on the innovative modular system for hybrid vehicles developed by Mercedes-Benz, the diesel hybrid ushers in a new era of hybrid drives. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (CO2 109 g/km). It will be launched at the end of 2011.
The technical basis for the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the E 250 CDI with a four‑cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp). For the new hybrid model, the Mercedes-Benz engineers have used the fuel-efficient 4-cylinder diesel engine in combination with a compact electric motor developing 15 kW. The electric motor draws its energy from a high-voltage, lithium-ion battery, which has already proven itself in the S 400 Hybrid. Despite the high overall output of up to 165 kW (224 hp) and a torque of over 580 Nm, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes no more than 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), equivalent to CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. Fuel consumption is therefore on a par with extremely efficient small cars, while the hybrid drive system outperforms current six‑cylinder diesel engines in terms of output and driving enjoyment.
The exemplary fuel consumption figures are due in no small part to innovative hybrid components and a sophisticated operation strategy incorporating the following principal features:
- Even at low revs, the electric motor assists the diesel engine with high torque (boost effect). The result is excitingly high, clearly noticeable agility
When driving for longer distances or on the motorway, the intelligent electronics recognise the driving situation and automatically adjust the load point of the internal combustion engine to achieve a lower specific fuel consumption, thereby helping to save fuel and reduce emissions
- Thanks to a clutch between the engine and the electric motor, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID can cover short distances at speeds of up to 35 km/h using electric drive alone. Consequently, the internal combustion engine does not even need to be started in most cases when driving in stop-and-go urban traffic or manoeuvring in parking spaces
- The internal combustion engine in the new diesel hybrid is switched off as soon as the vehicle starts to coast down from 80 km/h; in this case, the electric motor just keeps the road speed constant. Experts call this effective driving state “sailing”
- The diesel engine is started smoothly as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, hits the accelerator pedal or reaches a defined limit speed during acceleration
- Recuperation starts as soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal – in this case, the electric motor functions as an alternator and converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored in the high-voltage battery. Even when braking, part of the energy is converted into electrical energy
The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid offers all the driving characteristics of a full hybrid, such as purely electric driving, stop/start function, recuperation, boost effect and, for the first time, “sailing” and silent starting of the internal combustion engine by the high-voltage electric motor.
Even with hybrid technology on board, the E 300 BlueTEC still provides hallmark Mercedes-Benz comfort. The air conditioning compressor and the steering are powered electrically, meaning that both systems operate even when the internal combustion engine is not running. What’s more, none of these measures restrict boot space and variability in the slightest, as all of the hybrid technology, including the high-voltage battery, is housed in the engine compartment. This is made possible thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s sophisticated modularisation concept and the extremely compact components.
From 2011, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Saloon and Estate will expand the range of exceptionally ecofriendly and economical Mercedes-Benz cars, which already features over 70 BlueEFFICIENCY models from the A-Class to the S-Class, including the S 400 HYBRID and the ML 450 HYBRID – the first two hybrid passenger cars to be produced by a European manufacturer.
