Mercedes-Benz debuts two hybrid SUVs

Mercedes-Benz has officially introduced two of its upcoming hybrid crossover SUVs: the GLE 350 de 4Matic и GLC 300 e 4Matic.

The former is particularly interesting, because diesel hybrids are extremely rare. The car comes armed with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel unit rated at 194 hp (145 kW) and 400 Nm (295 pound-feet) of torque and an electric motor contributing 136 hp (101 kW) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of its own. The resulting total output amounts to 320 hp (238 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. A 31.2kWh traction battery is used to give it 90-99 km (56 – 61.5 miles) of WLTP-rated driving range. The NEDC-rated range amounts to an even more impressive 106 kilometers (66 miles).

Sprinting from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour succeeds in 6.8 seconds, and the top going speed is limited at 210 km/h (130 mph). Switch to all-electric, and you will go beyond 160 km/h (99 mph). Charging from zero to 80% takes 30 minutes, 10% to 100% – 30 minutes.

The GLC 300 e packs 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas turbo engine with 211 hp (157 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) at its disposal, mated to an electric motor with 122 hp (91 kW) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of its own. Interestingly, the resulting power output is actually the same as with the GLE 350 de: 320 hp (238 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The traction battery is much smaller at 13.5 kWh, which results in around 40 km (25 miles) of WLTP-rated or 47.5 km (29.5 mi) of NEDC-rated range.

The standard sprint is somewhat brisker at just 5.7 seconds, as is the top speed (230 km/h, or 143 mph). The all-electric mode speed is handicapped at an even lower level, though (130 km/h, or 81 mph). Charging the battery completely still takes half an hour.

Both vehicles ship with the same nine-speed automatic transmission. The new GLE now has 1,915 liters (67.6 cubic feet) of trunk space, whereas the GLC makes do with 1,445 liters (51 cu. ft.). That said, both have lost around 150 liters (5.3 cu. ft.) of trunk compared to the previous generation.

Last but by no means least, the GLE demonstrates superb fuel efficiency at 1.1 liters of diesel consumed per 100 kilometers in normal hybrid mode (UK: 257 MPG; USA: 214 MPG). The GLC lags considerably behind with 2.2 – 2.5 liters / 100 km (UK: 113 – 128 MPG; USA: 94 – 107 MPG).