Mercedes combines a turbo-diesel engine with an in-line electric motor

Five years ago, Mercedes-Benz announced it would vigorously pursue fuel-cell development and ignore the hybrid route.

But now it has revealed a hybrid E-Class sedan that will hit the US market this year and Europe next year.

The E320 Bluetec is the first model in a new wave of eco-friendly cars from Mercedes. They come after an exhaustive 12-year fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) test program

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SixxFive - 7/25/2006 11:14:09 AM

+1 Boost

Sounds interesting. Hope they come up with a way to shorten the 'Bluetech Hybrid' badge on the trunk lids of the cars as it practically takes up the entire lid.

BMW530i - 7/25/2006 11:31:22 AM

+1 Boost

^Agree^

The "Bluetec..." writing takes up a lot of space and looks visually unpleasing. As for the car, this is what I have been waiting for: a diesel-hybrid.

Efficient in the city with the electric motor, and efficient out in the country with the diesel. Hope to read some reviews of it soon!

quizz - 7/25/2006 7:06:06 PM

+1 Boost

From the article, I don't believe the electric engine has the kind of power Toyota is engineering into its hybrids. Sounds like 90% diesel 10% electric, which is still an improvement.

BMW530i - 7/25/2006 7:47:30 PM

+1 Boost

10% electric engine sounds adequate to me for city driving. Sounds like the electric engine will only be used to get the car moving, then the diesel takes over.

MBKing - 7/25/2006 8:50:06 PM

+1 Boost

Diesel is soo money.

Neverfollow - 7/26/2006 12:21:59 PM

0 Boost

Blatent copy of the one Audi displayed on the Q7 a year ago.

BMW530i - 7/26/2006 5:52:42 PM

+1 Boost

Neverfollow,

HUH?

wbradd3797 - 7/28/2006 12:26:24 PM

+1 Boost

The pinnacle of automotive technology is almost here.Hopefully they will bring over. They should make it a full hybrid with a 4 cylinder. Now you’re talking 1000 miles per tank or close to it. VW also created something like that a few years back and actually circled Britain in it 9 times on one tank of gas.