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Powertrain tech is impressively refined and promises much for future development, but for private buyers the E300 Hybrid’s price premium is hard to justify.
The latest diesel hybrid to join the mass market in the UK, and a rather different approach to the technology than we’ve so far seen. The Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid gets a 27bhp electric motor (powered by a 19kw lithium ion battery) installed into the guts of the familiar 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, which is then mated to the 201bhp, 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor that is already firmly established and liked in the E250 CDI.A wet clutch fitted to the 7G-Tronic auto allows the drivetrain to completely disconnect the diesel engine and run on electric power alone, at parking speeds or at higher speeds when under little or no throttle load.
Powertrain tech is impressively refined and promises much for future development, but for private buyers the E300 Hybrid’s price premium is hard to justify.
The latest diesel hybrid to join the mass market in the UK, and a rather different approach to the technology than we’ve so far seen. The Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid gets a 27bhp electric motor (powered by a 19kw lithium ion battery) installed into the guts of the familiar 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, which is then mated to the 201bhp, 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor that is already firmly established and liked in the E250 CDI.A wet clutch fitted to the 7G-Tronic auto allows the drivetrain to completely disconnect the diesel engine and run on electric power alone, at parking speeds or at higher speeds when under little or no throttle load.