It isn’t a V6; don’t let the ‘350’ fool you. What is has is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-pot making 211 PS and 350 Nm, with the specially-developed e-motor by EM-Motive providing 65 kW (or 88 PS) and 440 Nm of peak torque. Combined, the output is 286 PS and 550 Nm — that’s some-time-old V8 stuff! The 9G-Tronic plug-in hybrid transmission manages the power capably and selects the best ratio based on how you’re driving. Easy with the foot, and the E stays cool. Through the corners of the handling course, there’s no telling its near-two-tonne weight. It’s planted and the mass is low down, making it easy to manoeuvre. Steering feel is also variable, so it’s light and easy when it needs to be. Approach the entrance of the oval, and the higher entry speed before the banking necessitates a kick-down.
Two litres of petrol engine roar to life, subdued in noise by the ample deadening employed. The E 350 e hauls itself from 40 to triple-digit speeds in a couple of seconds and the needle keeps climbing. Hybrid car? 550 Nm is a lot of torque; that cannot be denied. Getting into the banking, its optimised aero reassures of the best channelling through the volumes of crisp mountain air. Up to over 160 km/h with ease before the turn, lift off slightly, and floor it again as we descend from the banking. This time it’s well past 200 km/h. The brakes recuperate sufficient kW on the way out to assure of the systems’ energy generation abilities. After all, Lewis Hamilton isn’t the fastest guy out there because of a mediocre setup of ERS. That’s right; everything learned from everywhere goes into the road-car programme. That’s what motor racing is about, isn’t it? Pushing the limits.
The new E 350 e boasts of a claimed fuel consumption of 2.1 litres/100 km (47.6 km/l). Besides, it’s had its carbon footprint reduced by around 44 per cent. The claim is that, should renewable energy be used for its charging, CO2 emissions can be reduced by as much as 63 per cent. The overall rating is also quite bold: a reduction in primary energy consumption of between 31 and 48 per cent over its life-cycle. Efficiency takes many forms. It’s up to us to develop the right ones at the right time and make the best of what we have left. And the E 350 e proves that luxury doesn’t need a restrained V12 to waft you along in silence. A third of those together with an electric motor can do the job just as well.
Need to Know – Mercedes-Benz E 350 e
Price: Rs 44 lakh (in Germany)
Engine: 1,991 cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol
Max Power: 211 PS at 5,500 rpm
Max Torque: 350 Nm at 1,250-4,000 rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Battery Pack: 4.4 kWh
E-Motor Peak Power: 65 kW (88 PS) at 2,000 rpm
E-Motor Peak Torque: 440 Nm at 0-1,000 rpm
Net Peak Output: 286 PS, 550 Nm
Weight: 1,925 kg
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Electric Top Speed: 130 km/h
Pure Electric Range: 33 km
