2016 Mercedes C350 Plug-In Hybrid Estate 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine Review Following its premiere in the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is now offering its most advanced Hybrid technology yet in the C-Class and, for the first time, also in an Estate model. The dynamism and efficiency of the C350 Plug-In Hybrid make it a convincing proposition in both its Saloon and its Estate guise. With a range of 31 kilometres in purely electric mode, local emission-free driving is now a reality. Its four-cylinder petrol engine, in conjunction with a powerful electric motor, gives it a total system output of 205 kW (279 hp) and torque of 600 Nm. The new C350 Plug-In Hybrid thus delivers the performance of a sports car and yet offers certified consumption figures of just 2.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres both as a Saloon and as an Estate. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 48 grams (49 grams for the Estate) per kilometre. Both models are also equipped as standard with AIRMATIC air suspension plus a Pre-Entry Climate Control system that can be controlled via the internet, adding up to a truly exceptional level of driving and climate comfort. The C350 Plug-In Hybrid will be at dealerships from March 2015. The C350 Plug-In Hybrid uses the currently most advanced form of Hybrid technology. Its electrical energy storage unit is a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 6.2 kWh, which can be charged from an external power source and so makes an effective contribution to the low consumption and emission figures. The battery is water-cooled, weighs around 100 kilograms and is mounted in a sheet steel housing underneath the rear axle in order to maximise crash safety, driving dynamics and boot space. Thanks to an intelligent on-board charging system, the battery can be recharged in around 1 hour 45 minutes at a wallbox or at one of the growing number of public charging points (230 V, 16 A, 3.7 kW single-phase), which in some cases offer privileged parking. Alternatively, charging via a standard domestic socket is of course also possible. Depending on the connection, a charge time of around two hours is achievable (with 230 V and 13 A, 3.0 kW). Despite the space taken up by the battery, the C350 Plug-In Hybrid still has a boot capacity of 335 litres in its Saloon format and of 350 in the Estate model, or in the latter case of 1370 litres with the rear-seat backrests folded down and, as ever, a level load compartment floor. Plug-In Hybrid for the first time now with four-cylinder petrol engine In the new Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid, this Hybrid drive concept is combined for the first time with an efficient four-cylinder petrol engine. From a displacement of just under two litres, it produces 155 kW (211 hp) and maximum torque of 350 newton metres. Its direct injection system with spray-guided combustion uses electronically precise controlled multiple injection and fast multi-spark ignition to deliver outstanding performance coupled with high efficiency and exemplary emissions. The electric motor of the C350 Plug-In Hybrid has an output of up to 60 kW and delivers torque of 340 newton metres. A total system output of 205 kW (279 hp), as well as torque of 600 newton metres, are thus available to be called upon. 7-speed automatic with additional clutch The Hybrid module of the standard 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS incorporates both the electric motor and an additional clutch between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When driving in all-electric mode, this decouples the combustion engine from the drive train. It also, however, offers the possibility of moving off using the combustion engine but with the performance of a wet start-up clutch. The clutch here is a substitute for the torque converter. The performance of a sports car The high overall system output and intelligent engine management give the car the dynamic performance of a nimble sports car. And it combines this with the ride comfort of a premium saloon, along with fuel consumption and environmental compatibility at a level that, until not all that long ago, would not even have been expected of many small cars. The Saloon can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the Estate, at 6.2 seconds, is almost as quick off the mark. The Saloon can reach a top speed of 250 km/h and the Estate up to 246 km/h, both in conjunction with certified fuel consumption of 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 48 grams per kilometre (49 grams per kilometre for the Estate). Both variants of the C350 Plug-In Hybrid also offer the possibility of driving up to 31 kilometres in all-electric mode, and thus completely free of CO2 emissions locally - for example in the city.

• published: 13 Jan 2015
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