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Mercedes-Benz has continued to expand its EQ Power range with the reveal of the GLE350de and GLC300e plug-in hybrids at the Frankfurt motor show.

 

The GLE350de uses a 143kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel along with a 100kW electric motor and a 31.2kWh lithium battery pack. The system’s total outputs are 235kW and 700Nm.

 

According to the WLTP, with a fully charged battery, an electric driving range of  90-99km is achievable. Remarkably, on the combined cycle, fuel consumption is rated at 1.1L/100km.

  

In terms of performance, the GLE350de can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds. In EV mode the speed can reach 160km/h, climbing to 210km/h with the diesel engine in operation.

 

At corresponding DC charging stations, the battery can be replenished from 10-80 per cent in around 20 minutes, while taking the battery from 10-100 per cent takes approximately 30 minutes.

 

As a plug-in hybrid, the GLE has an unrestricted towing capacity of up to 3500kg.

 

The smaller GLC300e pairs a 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 90kW/440Nm electric motor. In total, the GLC PHEV generates 235kW and 700Nm.

 

With the 13.5kWh lithium battery pack fully charged, an EV range of up to 43km is possible (WLTP test cycle).

 

Mercedes-Benz claims the GLC300e can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 230km/h. In EV mode, the company says the top speed is "over 130km/h." Depending on the final spec, fuel consumption is rated between 2.2 and 2.5L/100km on the combined cycle. In Europe, the GLC300e has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

 

By the end of 2019, Mercedes-Benz will have more than ten plug-in hybrids in the range with the aim of offering customers well over 20 models in 2020.

 

The company says “plug-in hybrids offer customers the best of both worlds: in town they run in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the range of the combustion engine. They make the vehicle more efficient overall, because they can firstly recover energy during braking and secondly allow the combustion engine to run in favourable operating ranges.”

 

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed the GLC300e will be available locally in the second quarter of next year, while the GLE350de has been ruled out at this stage.