India-bound Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de debuts a diesel plug-in hybrid

-        Debuting alongside is the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid.

-        Both will be showcased at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. 

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new GLE-Class with a new 350de plug-in hybrid guise, where the d in the moniker stands for diesel. Along with it, the GLC also debuts in the 350e guise. Both these plug-in hybrid SUVs will debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. 

The 350de is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel making 194bhp and is mated to an electric motor producing 135bhp. A combined output of 320bhp and 700Nm is sent to a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system which is good enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of just 6.8 seconds. The top speed is limited to 210kmph while on pure electric mode, the electrified GLE can still do 160kmph. 

The large 31.2kWh battery pack sits in the boot reducing the luggage capacity. But in exchange, the battery pack offers a pure electric range of around 60 miles (around 100kilometres). The battery is capable of charging from 10 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes using a DC charging station. The GLE is also fitted with regenerative braking along with a 7.4kW onboard charger. 

On the other hand, the GLC 350e makes use of the same powertrain as the other hybrid in the Mercedes’ line-up. Which means it has a 2.0-litre petrol engine making 211bhp and combined with a 90kW motor, the total output is increased to 320bhp and 700Nm. Even the GLC 350e gets the same 4Matic system as its bigger sibling with a towing capacity of 2000kg. A pure electric range is around 39-43 kilometres with an electric top speed of 130 kilometres. The GLC 350e is capable of doing 0-100kmph in just 5.7 seconds. 

The new GLC and GLE are part of Mercedes’ onslaught of 10 plug-in hybrids to be made available towards the end of 2019. This number is set to double in 2020. Meanwhile, both the new-gen GLC and GLE are expected to arrive in India by next year.