Hybrid technology is picking up quite well in the market. However, it isn’t doing so well in the European market. The hybrid derivatives of German premium vehicles cannot really be termed smashing success. One such entrant is the C-Class that is a response to the growing trend of electrification and this is driven largely by the tightening fuel-economy and emission standards and so here’s our take on the Benz C350 Plug in hybrid as well as the S550 plug-in hybrid.
C 350 Plug-In Hybrid:
The C 350 plug-in Hybrid is purely electric and looks quite elegant, sporty and it is a combination of luxury and prestige. It spreads a green message and at the same time, this vehicle makes an impression.
Performance
The C350 Plug-in hybrid starts off in a near-silent electric mode. The vehicle has an electric output of up to 80 horsepower that is available for driving in the electric mode with delivery of up to 251 lb-feet of torque. The vehicle comes with a 1.9-liter four-cylinder gas engine produces 208 of its own horsepower married to 258 lb ft of torque. The vehicle accelerates to 60 miles per hour in just 6 seconds. The driver is in control of the system by the way of four hybrid-related operating modes:
- E-Mode: All-electric driving while the battery holds sufficient charge.
- Hybrid: All electric, gas-alone, gas with boosts of electric power, or whatever combination yields the greatest efficiency.
- E-Save: Rely on the gas engine with little or no help from the electric motor, in order to reserve energy in the battery for later use.
- Charge. The combustion engine is not only on, but some of the fuel is consumed to pump energy in the battery pack.
Range:
The C-Class carries a liquid cooled 220-pound battery pack with a capacity of 6.2 kilowatt-hours. The car has a 240-volt outlet to take you around for at least 20 miles without using any gasoline. In case your daily commute is below 20 miles, you can charge throughout the day and this helps you eliminate visits to the gas station and emissions from its tailpipe.
Charging:
Pretty much like the hybrid electric cars, the C-350 Plug-in Hybrid reclaims energy during braking and coasting. The 240-volt charging station produces enough power to go around for 20 miles but a 120-volt source will take overnight to charge.
Cargo Room and space:
The C350 isn’t a big car but it has spacious front seats and the back seats are generally considered adequate in terms of legroom. The truck capacity is also 11.8 cubic feet and this makes room for the battery pack. The vehicle has a conventional instrument cluster and comes with a small eco meter along with an energy-flow screen.
Price
Pricing for the plug-in C-Class $46,415 and this is an aggressively priced tag that takes the likes of competitors like BMW and Audi.
Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid
If you’re looking for something flawless in the automobile industry, you’re probably mentioning an S-Class. The power, comfort and price including fuel efficiency is the best with an S-Class. The S550 Plug-in Hybrid derives all benefits of the Mercedes flagship sedan and this vehicle is here to thrill, here is more about this car:
S-550:
The synonym for style, performance, comfort, opulence, exquisiteness and a stunner is the S-Class. The S-Class is widely regarded as one of the finest luxury cars you can buy. The exterior styling—as with every feature inside and out—exudes class and refinement, with sleek lines providing elegance to a large comfortable sedan.
Performance:
The S550 comprises of a gas powered 329 HP V6 engine as well as an 85 kW electric motor that pulls out the juice from an 8.7 kW hour battery with an integrated 7-speed automatic transmission. This whizzes the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.
The vehicle has 4-different modes that allow drivers to decide and emphasize when to use or save the battery’s energy.
Range:
Plugging in the vehicle every night, the S550 hybrid works its magic and this vehicle is likely to break 40 miles per gallon on an average.
Charging:
There isn’t anything unusual about S550’s charging process. If the pack is completely depleted, you can fully replenish it in about two hours from a 240-volt charging station. Or if you choose to use a standard 120-volt outlet, expect a charging time closer to four or five hours.
Cargo Room:
The Mercedes S-Class sits at the top of the list for most luxurious and comfortable interiors. The detailing of the appointments is impressive: diamond-stitched leather, soft touch armrests, footrests for backseat passengers and Alcantara lining on the ceiling. This vehicle leaves no leeway for the user to find faults in it. And yet, on the plug-in model, Mercedes engineers use part of the trunk to store the battery pack—thereby its capacity from a cavernous 18.7 cubic feet to a merely decent 13.9 cubes.
Price
No pricing yet available, but a conventional S550 starts just below $100,000. Options and enhanced packages will easily send the bottom line to above $130,000.
Bottom Line:
Both the cars are mighty powerful. The S-550 has sheer elegance and massive power. The C 350, an affordable yet stylish luxury.