If the ever-increasing number of Mercedes-Benz nameplates is confounding to you, pity the poor sales consultants who have to re-learn the names of half of their product line and acclimate to new brands in the cases of Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach. Now comes this: Mercedes-Benz is planning to add no fewer than 10 plug-in hybrids to the mix. And soon.
During a West Wing–style walk-and-talk with Mercedes PR chief Rob Moran and whatever product experts we came across at the Detroit auto show, we learned that the plug-in models would wear C, E, and S badges, and would be powered by powertrains utilizing either 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engines. The first to arrive is the S550 plug-in, which goes on sale in California in March with the 436-hp, V-6–based powertrain; it will be followed by the C350 plug-in this fall, which uses a 275-hp four-cylinder.
The next to arrive would be plug-in versions of the GLE-class (this is the refreshed and renamed M-class) and GLC-class (née GLK) models, although Moran offered no date for their introduction. Speaking of the GLE, we learned that it is expected to make its first public appearance at the New York auto show in April before going on sale in late summer.
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Moran and company also said that all Mercedes-Benz hybrids will be plug-ins in the future, and that the electrical components are modular and able to be paired with diesel or gasoline engines. That said, gasoline mills are where Mercedes seems to be putting its money at this point, said Moran, mainly due to the worldwide availability of gasoline compared to the more limited availability of diesel.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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