Mainstream Benz models spearhead PHEVs

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed its focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles in the near and medium term.

Speaking at this week's Geneva Motor Show, the Daimler brand's head of research and development, Dr Thomas Weber (pictured with C 350 e), re-affirmed the Mercedes-Benz commitment to have ten plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models on sale by 2017. And, he said, it will be mainstream models as well as the brand's burgeoning SUV line-up that will lead the way.

Weber's presentation as part of Mercedes' show opening reveal yesterday morning was largely focussed on PHEVs.

In addition to launching the production version of the renamed C 350 e plug-in hybrid sedan at Geneva, Mercedes-Benz also showed a concept vehicle based on the new V-Class van. The V-ision e leverages the new C-Class four-cylinder turbocharged petrol plug-in's powertrain and was presented as a luxury MPV complete with airline style reclining seats and a yacht-style wooden floor.

But the MPV/LCV was the sideshow, the main focus of the PHEV push is Mercedes' mainstream models. From C-Class upwards...

"We believe we have to prepare our vehicles for the upcoming challenges CO2 wise. That's especially true for the bigger vehicles. That leads to the discussion on our side that C upwards we have to prepare the architecture for plug-in hybrids," Weber told motoring.com.au.

"We are the first OEM with a clear decision to do a really huge offensive on the [plug-in] hybrid side," the R&D boss opined.

Weber confirmed under Mercedes-Benz's new strategy C, E and S-Class mainstream models (ie: not coupes or cabriolets) will be the focus of the electrification, along with the new X3-sized GLC SUV and just released ML-Class replacement, the GLE.

Ironically the GL-Class replacement, the new GLS-Class, is not on the roadmap for this first round of hybridisation, Weber says. This is in contrast to remarks made by the company at this year's Detroit show in January.

"We started top down with S-Class and, here at Geneva, C-Class [debuts] with a lot of sporty criteria," Weber explained.

"The rest is not officially announced but it's clear we will launch [new] E-Class next year and offer plug-in hybrid solutions. Then the D [segment] SUVs are the big ones that need some support when it comes to fuel economy. We will [therefore] also launch [plug-in hybrid] in our GLE-Class.

"During the year there is also the GLC coming and, yes, of course, it too will carry plug-in hybrid," he confirmed.

"GLS, we will see... Maybe later in successive families... So far the customer going for GLS doesn't care about fuel economy," Weber stated.

In the first generation most of the manufacturer's PHEV vehicles will offer between 35-50km pure electric range. Smart GPS-linked software will 'tell' the vehicles to recharge using the internal combustion engine if necessary, as the vehicles approach built-up and low or zero-emission zones.

However, Weber intimated, the full benefit of the plug-in infrastructure will not be leveraged until Mercedes-Benz introduces its next-generation so-called 'MRA' architecture to underpin all these models.

At this stage Weber says plans to hybridise the front and all-wheel drive transverse engined MFA based models, including A and CLA-Class, are less advanced.

A key component of the new platform and electrification strategy is to reduce the complexity of Mercedes' powertrains and associated systems (such as exhaust, engine bay packaging etc). New inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines tipped to appear first in the new E-Class will play a significant role in this evolution.

Both petrol and diesel powertrains will be married with PHEV technology, Weber says.

Officially, Mercedes-Benz Australia (MBAu) is still "considering' the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid and new C 350e for local launch but it now seems almost certain both vehicles will come Down Under. They will spearhead a correspondingly wider PHEV offering by the brand as new series are launched.

MBAu is targeting sub-$100K pricing for the C 350 e, while the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid will be priced to match its 'conventional' S 500 stablemate.

"We're very actively examining the new C [PHEV]," MBAu spokesperson David McCarthy told motoring.com.au.

"It's not a 2015 [release] but certainly it could join our line-up in 2016," he said.