Mercedes Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Salon and Estate
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The addition of a hybrid drivetrain is almost imperceptible. You just turn the key, select D for Drive on the column-mounted stalk and it just goes, using electricity only at low speeds, the diesel engine cutting in as you up the pace and the lithium-ion battery in reserve for to assist with acceleration. There’s no fuss, no drama, no fancy graphics depicting battery or diesel propulsion, just seamless, smooth progress.
Comfort is supreme, aided by the excellent ride that makes light of even the most fiendish traffic calming humps. It’s not a hair shirt, either. Prod the accelerator and it accelerates briskly, feeling wieldy for a large saloon.
How does it ‘sail'? When you're cruising at a constant speed on a flat gradient or decline - say, a motorway - the engine shuts off and the electric motor maintains your current speed until the battery runs out, or you need to overtake.
And it works seamlessly, Don't think about it too much, and it's actually a very quiet Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In fact, that motor has ironed out some of the coarseness from the diesel too. The ECU mind, is a little slow to react sometimes. Like when you're sailing and, erm, want to overtake. Fast. As you do. It takes a few seconds to wake from its slumber, punting you down the road shortly afterwards. A minor irritation, but if you keep in mind the Benz's ambience and drive it thus, you will be richly rewarded. We're talking 67.2mpg and 109g/km which, for a Mercedes E Class - or in fact, any premium executive saloon - is pretty darned astonishing.
Along with the new engine choice in the seven-model E-Class sedan line-up, there's fresh styling that does away with the signature quad headlights and some of the overstyled lines that characterised the previous model.
The E300 Hybrid has real leather electric front seats, 17" or 18" alloys, keyless entry and start and LED lights. But there's no spare tyre, with the space in the boot used for batteries.
While it's no limousine (for that there's the S-Class), the E-Class isn't far off with generous space front and rear. Back-seat passengers, in particular, will be blessed with some of the best-in-class legroom.
Up front, too, there's good space and plenty of cubby holes, as well as large door pockets. The central media screen works OK once you familiarise yourself with the operation of the main controller in the centre console.
Less endearing is the indicator stalk-like gear selector that doesn't always select drive or reverse when you want, and can easily be confused for something else. The clunky foot-operated park brake is also a blot.
While under the boot floor there are changes for the hybrid system, above it is no different, with 505 litres of storage space. Only the gooseneck hinges can impinge on larger items.
The E300's powertrain has Benz's familiar 2.1-litre turbo diesel at its heart and it's still matched to a seven-speed auto. As well as that unit's 150 kW and 500 Nm output, it benefits from an electric motor that's good for 20 kW and 250 Nm. Combined output peaks at 170 kW and 590 Nm, with the increases accounting for the additional 70 kilograms of weight (in lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor). Housed alongside the gearbox, the electric motor is used to boost output in certain situations, while at other times the car relies purely on its diesel engine.
From a standstill, for example, the electric motor gives an initial surge and, on gentle throttle applications, can be coaxed to do a kilometre or more on electric power alone. But that will happen only when driven very gently, when coasting or going down a slight hill.
Otherwise, the diesel engine fires to life with a mild rumble and joins in with a bigger hit of torque. Floor the throttle and the electric motor adds a helping hand to ensure respectable acceleration. It's generally fairly seamless, with only the occasional fumbled downchange of the transmission.
The big take-out with the hybrid drivetrain, though, is fuel savings. Claimed use is just 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres, which is less than most city hatchbacks. It's also 12 per cent more efficient than the regular E250. We found the E300 hybrid used between 7.0 and 7.5L/100km in everyday driving.
Impressively, though, that figure didn't rise substantially in thick traffic, a legacy of the stop-start system and regenerative braking that captures energy usually lost through the brakes and converts it to electricity for the motor.
It's decent fuel use for a car of this size and with thoroughly respectable performance. You'll also get a good run from an 80-litre tank of fuel, comfortably surpassing 1000 kilometres between fills.
On the road
Like the rest of the E-Class range, the Hybrid is an impressive beast through bends. It exhibits some leaning when pushed, but is generally very well behaved, coping well with quick direction changes for a car of its dimensions.
The E is also very comfortable, especially for a car riding on the optional low-profile 19-inch tyres. There's the occasional evidence of low-speed fidgeting, but it otherwise absorbs imperfections expertly. But it's the brake feel that's the biggest blight on the driving experience. While they stop effectively in an emergency, an initially spongy pedal feel is inconsistent, making it difficult to stop smoothly.
Conclusion:
Efficient and driver-friendly diesel hybrid system, Spacious cabin, Comfortable and confident on the road. The first Mercedes hybrid lives up to its promise of reducing fuel use while maintaining the E's upmarket driving experience. Combined with impressive on-road manners and a freshening of equipment and styling, it makes for a convincing luxury proposition. To paraphrase another manufacturer’s advertising hook, isn't it satisfying when things just work? It’s far from Oriental, but Mercedes’ first hybrid simply gets on with things in the manner we've come to expect from Japanese offerings. The headline features are compelling: a large, comfortable four-door saloon that’s capable of 65.7mpg and emits only 109g/km of CO2 yet is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.5sec.
The first Mercedes hybrid lives up to its promise of reducing fuel use while maintaining the E's upmarket driving experience. Combined with impressive on-road manners and a freshening of equipment and styling, it makes for a convincing luxury proposition.
Test drives: Estate Highlights Wheels24 1223 miles from Africa to the UK on one tank of fuel Mercedes Benz Add
Top Gear's motoring expert puts Mercedes' hybrid to the test
Smooth: The E300's official top speed is 150mph
The badges on the boot of the new E300 give it away, but otherwise you would not know that this Merc is a hybrid.
For one thing the instrument panel doesn't display loads of useless graphs and pictures of trees that tell you whether you're going along on electric power or with the conventional internal combustion. It's not necessary.
If I can hear only a whirring noise it means the car is running on electric power - or my ears aren't working.
The clever thing about this week's road test car is it's not particularly clever. In fact it's breathtakingly simple.
Under the bonnet we have the same 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that's fitted to the E250 saloon and estate (sorry, forgot to mention, we're testing the E300 hybrid saloon, but an estate version is also available) that produces the same 201bhp as in the E250.
The engine is bolted on to Merc's seven-speed automatic gearbox, again the same gearbox that's used on loads of models.
The only difference is that in this car the torque converter has been replaced by a wet clutch.
This is used for pulling away and so that the engine can be switched off when you're coasting to save fuel.
You can tell it's got a clutch because when you're pulling away the take-off isn't as smooth as it would be with a torque converter.
There's also a small electric motor fitted to the gearbox. It only produces 27 bhp, but it does the job. And instead of a massive battery pack under the floor or robbing space from the boot, there's a small lithium-ion battery tucked away in the engine bay.
So, let's go. Normal Merc key, standard E-Class interior.
As usual, our £39,645 test car is pumped full of options so that its actual on-the-road price is £53,395.
Most of the stuff you can do without, but I have got rather used to Mercedes' excellent infotainment system.
It's partly because almost all of the Press cars are fitted with it, so I actually know how to use it without swearing, but also because it's one of the most simple systems made.
You can forget about cruising around on electric power alone because the battery is only 0.8kWh.
Mercedes has said that you can go 0.6 miles on electrickery but the E300 and I never managed more than a few yards before the diesel engine started.
It's a bit clattery when it starts, so there's no mistaking it's working.
Once you're going, though, the engine is smooth and quiet. Mercedes quotes a top speed of 150mph and 0-62mph in 7.5sec. Not at all bad, but then there is a combined 435 lb ft of torque pushing you along.
However, you don't buy the E300 Hybrid for its performance, you buy it for how it performs at the pumps. The official figure is 65.7mpg combined and I reckon that if you were really careful you could actually achieve that.
The emissions are similarly impressive with 111g/km of CO2 (that's on our car's 17in wheels. If you choose the 16in wheels it drops to 109g/km).
And here we come to the real point of this car: if you're a business user that figure will give you a seriously low benefit in kind tax rating.
The extra battery and electric motor add 100kg to the weight of the car but you will barely notice it when you are behind the wheel.
There's a bit more body roll but that could be to do with the extra money that's in your pocket from not having to go to petrol stations so often.
If you're not a business user then I would suggest that you stick with the conventional E250 CDI saloon or estate.
Both of these cars are brilliant, especially the estate, and you will save the fat end of five grand.
The facts: Mercedes-Benz E300 four-door saloon
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel, 201bhp; 0-62mph: 7.5sec; Fuel consumption: 65.7mpg
Interior & exterior specification |
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Executive |
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID AMG Dynamic |
Exterior |
|
|
Exhaust system |
Not visible |
Twin-pipe with rectangular tailpipes integrated in bumper |
Chrome trim elements |
Chrome trim elements above side sill panels |
Chrome trim elements above side sill panels |
Front bumper |
With a sporty wing design, air intakes with black louvres, with chrome trim elements on outer air intakes and under spoiler lip |
With a sporty wing design, air intakes with black diamond-pattern grille, with chrome trim elements on outer air intakes and under spoiler lip |
Rear bumper |
Emphasizes the vehicle width, with inlays in high-gloss black plastic with chrome trim element |
Sporty, with high-gloss black inlays and chrome trim element |
Radiator grilles |
Radiator trim with three louvres painted in silver, with chrome-plated front edge |
Soft nose clearly separated from bonnet, radiator trim with two louvres and centrally-placed star |
Wheels |
• 17”, multi-spoke |
• AMG 18”, 5-twin-spoke |
Interior |
|
|
Ambient lighting |
Three-tone, at front behind trim elements and in the doors, dimmable |
Three-tone, at front behind trim elements and in the doors, dimmable |
Instrument cluster |
3-tube with black backplates |
3-tube with black backplates |
Steering wheel |
Four-spoke multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather with two clasps in silver-chrome |
Sporty 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel with flattened lower section |
Upholstery |
Leather upholstery |
Leather upholstery |
Gearshift/selector lever |
Gearshift/DIRECT SELECT selector lever in nappa leather with clasp in high-gloss dark brown burr walnut |
Gearshift/DIRECT SELECT selector lever in nappa leather with clasp in aluminium with dark-tone textured grain |
Trim elements |
High-gross brown burr walnut |
High-gross black ash wood |
Technical data for E-Class
Top of Form
Engine and performance |
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Executive |
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID AMG Dynamic |
Cylinder arrangement/number |
4 / In-Line |
4 / In-Line |
Total displacement (cc) |
2,143 |
2,143 |
Rated output (kW at rpm) [1] |
150 (204) / 4,200 |
150 (204) / 4,200 |
Rated torque (Nm at rpm) [1] |
500 / 1,600-1800 |
500 / 1,600-1,800 |
Compression ratio |
16.2 |
16.2 |
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (s) |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Top speed (km/h) |
242 |
242 |
Emission class |
EU 5 |
EU 5 |
ECO start/stop function |
Yes |
Yes |
Fuel and emissions |
||
Fuel |
Diesel |
Diesel |
Tank capacity/with reserve (l) |
80 |
80 |
Fuel consumption, urban (km/l) [2] |
23.8-24.4 |
23.8-24.4 |
Fuel consumption, extra-urban (km/l) [2] |
23.8-24.4 |
23.8-24.4 |
Fuel consumption combined (km/l) [2] |
23.8-24.4 |
23.8-24.4 |
CO2 emissions (g/km) combined [2] |
107–110 |
107–110 |
Cd value |
0.26 |
0.26 |
Power transmission |
||
Drive system |
rear-wheel drive |
rear-wheel drive |
Transmissions |
7G-TRONIC PLUS |
7G-TRONIC PLUS |
Mechanical transmission ratios |
5.01/2.83/1.79/1.26/1.00/0.83/R 4.57 |
5.01/2.83/1.79/1.26/1.00/0.83/R 4.57 |
Automatic transmission ratios |
4.38/2.86/1.92/1.37/1.00/0.82/0.73/R1 3.42/R2 2.23 |
4.38/2.86/1.92/1.37/1.00/0.82/0.73/R1 3.42/R2 2.23 |
Final drive transmission ratio |
2.47 |
2.47 |
Suspension and steering |
||
Front axle |
Three-link front suspension |
Three-link front suspension |
Rear axle |
Multi-link rear suspension |
Multi-link rear suspension |
Suspension, front/rear |
Direct Control suspension with selective damping characteristics |
Sporty Direct Control suspension with selective damping characteristics and 15mm lowered suspension |
Front tyres/wheels |
245 / 45 R17 |
245 / 40 R18 |
Rear tyres/wheels |
245 / 45 R17 |
265 / 35 R18 |
Front brake |
Discs, internally ventilated |
Discs, internally ventilated |
Rear brakes |
Discs |
Discs |
Quantity, dimensions & weights |
||
Boot capacity (VDA) (I) [3] |
505 |
505 |
Turning circle (m) |
11.3 |
11.3 |
Kerb weight/payload capacity (kg) [4] |
1,845/585 |
1,845/585 |
Perm. GVW (kg) |
2,430 |
2,430 |
Maximum roof load (kg) |
100 |
100 |
Permitted towing capacity unbraked/braked (kg) |
750/1,900 |
750/1900 |
Engine and performance |
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID AMG Dynamic Estate |
|
Cylinder arrangement/number |
L4 |
|
Total displacement (cc) |
2,143 |
|
Rated output (kW at rpm) [1] |
150 (204) / 4,200 |
|
Rated torque (Nm at rpm) [1] |
500 / 1,600-1,800 |
|
Compression ratio |
16.2 |
|
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (s) |
7.8 |
|
Top speed (km/h) |
232 |
|
Emission class |
EU 6 |
|
ECO start/stop function |
Yes |
|
Fuel and emissions |
||
Fuel |
Diesel |
|
Tank capacity/with reserve (l) |
80 |
|
Fuel consumption, urban (km/l) [2] |
13.5 |
|
Fuel consumption, extra-urban (km/l) [2] |
9.8 |
|
Fuel consumption combined (km/l) [2] |
11.2 |
|
CO2 emissions (g/km) combined [2] |
116–119 |
|
Cd value |
0.29 |
|
Power transmission |
||
Drive system |
Rear-wheel drive |
|
Transmissions |
7G-TRONIC PLUS |
|
Mechanical transmission ratios |
4.99/2.82/1.78/1.25/1.00/0.82/R 4.54 |
|
Automatic transmission ratios |
N/A |
|
Final drive transmission ratio |
2.47 |
|
Suspension and steering |
||
Front axle |
Multi-link |
|
Rear axle |
Multi-link independent suspension |
|
Suspension, front/rear |
Coil spring, Double-tube gas pressure with SSD/Air spring, Double-tube gas-pressure |
|
Front tyres/wheels |
245 / 40 R18 |
|
Rear tyres/wheels |
265 / 35 R18 |
|
Front brake |
Discs, internally ventilated |
|
Rear brakes |
Discs, internally ventilated |
|
Quantity, dimensions & weights |
||
Boot capacity (VDA) (I) [3] |
650–1,905 |
|
Turning circle (m) |
11.28 |
|
Kerb weight/payload capacity (kg) [4] |
1,955/595 |
|
Perm. GVW (kg) |
2550 |
|
Maximum roof load (kg) |
100 |
|
Permitted towing capacity unbraked/braked (kg) |
300/300 |