Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off the world’s first diesel-electric hybrid in the form of the E300 Bluetec at the motor show in Geneva. The carmaker announced that the car should be available in Europe, at least, by next year. The E300 Bluetec is on the phase of making daily test runs prior to the launch.
The car will be using the Bluetec diesel system with a technology for hybrid systems that they developed with BMW. The one on display in Geneva has a diesel four 2.2L with twin turbochargers. This powerplant can output an excellent 204 horsepower.
The same engine is featured at the 2011 E250 Bluetec that took spotlight at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The fuel mileage of the powerplant is estimated to be 39 mpg while cruising on the highway and 29 mpg while on the city streets.
The electric motor and lithium ion battery installed on the E300 hybrid are similar to the configuration used by the 2010 S400 Hybrid that kicked off sales last year.
The drivetrain of the E300 will only be a mild hybrid. This means that the car’s electric motor will only boost the power of the combustion engine and will be utilized to restart the car from full stops. The E300 will not be capable of running pure electric like the Toyota Prius – but it’s a hybrid car none the less.
The mild hybrid setup will not really be an issue. Initial tests show that the fuel economy is pegged at 57 mpg based on the combined cycle in Europe. This translates to a CO2 emission of about 109 grams per kilometer.