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Cape Town - Mercedes-Benz will offering its C-Class its hybrid guide.
The Mercedes-Benz East London factory will, for the first time, manufacture a C-Class with the latest plug-in-hybrid technology, for both local and export markets.
The order book for the Mercedes-Benz C350 e sedan, priced from from R804 900, is open at dealerships throughout SA with deliveries set to take place in August 2016.
Made in SA
The C350 e’s electrical energy storage unit compromises of a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 6.2kWh. It can be charged via an external power source.
The battery is water-cooled, weighs around 100kg and is mounted in a sheet-steel housing underneath the rear axle.
READ: Driven in SA - Merc's stylish new C-Class Coupe
The battery can be recharged in about 1h45mins at an external wall-box (230V, 16A, 3.7kW single-phase). Alternatively, charging via a standard domestic socket is also possible. Depending on the connection, a charge time of around two hours is achievable (with 230V and 13A, 3.0kW).
Electric motor, four-cylinder petrol engine
The Mercedes-Benz C350 e receives power from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (155kW/350Nm). Working in conjunction with the electric motor (up to 60kW/340Nm) it produces a maximum of 205kW/600Nm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 2.1 litres/100km with emissions of 65g/km. It has a range of 31km in pure electric mode.
READ: Here's all you need to know about the new topless C-Class for SA
Image: QuickPic
To live up to its hybrid genes, the C350 e can utilises its electric motor in the following ways:
• Silent start: at start-up the vehicle runs in electric mode. At this point the combustion engine is generally held inactive and can the vehicle be driven in all-electric mode.
• Boost: the electric motor kicks in to boost the output of the combustion engine by a further 60kW - for example for rapid acceleration.
• Energy recuperation: during braking and coasting, energy is recovered and stored in the battery. This energy can then be used at a later stage for electric driving or the boost function.
As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the C350 e comes standard with a six-year or 100 000km PremiumDrive maintenance plan. The C350 e is exempt from CO2 emission tax.
