Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles coming in the U.K. within five years
By Andrew C., 26 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
It was announced by the German carmaker Mercedes-Benz that they are going to launch gasoline-electric and diesel-electric hybrids to its UK range. It has already released the left-hand-drive S-Class 400 gasoline-electric hybrid in Europe with intentions of also releasing a right-hand-drive gasoline-electric hybrid in the UK sometime soon. The company says that it is currently putting more emphasis on right-hand-drive gasoline models because that's about 90 percent of their S-Class market. However, because there is a general move toward the direction of the hybrid systems, the company sees its future consisting of hybrids as well, and they do intend to bring them to the UK soon.
Furthermore, since 80 percent of sales in the UK involve diesel models, the company will likewise be manufacturing diesel hybrids. The first production Mercedes to feature hybrid technology is the S400 Hybrid and it is the first hybrid to utilize a compact lithium-ion battery for its source of energy. Coupled to a 3.5-liter V6 powerplant it produces carbon emissions of 186g/km and fuel consumption of 35.7mpg combined.
The hybrid technology will most probably feature on the C and E Class ranges together with the S-Class. Mercedes says that the C-Class is the next model range scheduled for replacement. Although they have not set a specific timeline, Mercedes will be introducing hybrid technology on its UK-spec products within the next five years.
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