[Taboleo] The Ultimate High-Performance Eco-Friendly Car, Mercedes-Benz E 300 e Exclusive

Electric Motor + Gasoline Engine Combined Over 330 Horsepower
0-100 km/h in 5.7 Seconds... High-Performance Eco-Friendly Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid Allows Both Refueling and Charging
Up to 31 km Driving Range in Pure Electric Mode

#EClass #Plug-inHybrid #PHEV #HighPerformance #Performance #EcoFriendlyCar #E300eExclusive #ThreePointedStar #Benz

[Asia Economy Reporter Woo Su-yeon] The 10th generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, which set a record as the first imported car single model to sell 100,000 units domestically, has been reborn as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. The Mercedes-Benz E 300 e Exclusive, launched with a high-performance eco-friendly car concept, is an eco-friendly vehicle that delivers over 330 horsepower by combining the output of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Since its launch in the domestic market last November, it has gained popularity, capturing a 30% market share in the plug-in hybrid segment in the first quarter of this year. We test drove Benz's 'The New E 300 e Exclusive' model to see what the ultimate luxury and eco-friendly car from the renowned internal combustion engine maker Benz looks like.

-The E-Class sedan is famous for its luxurious design. Are there any differences in the PHEV model?

▲The E 300 e Exclusive model does not have significant differences in exterior design compared to the existing gasoline E 300 sedan. The E 300 is a mid-size sedan but features a sleek coupe-style roofline emphasizing curves and a long hood design, which appeals not only to middle-aged customers but also to younger generations. The only noticeable difference in exterior design from the gasoline E 300 sedan is the charging plug located below the rear lamp at the back. Also, the E 300 e model does not offer the Avantgarde trim with the Benz logo in the center of the front grille. Only the Exclusive trim, which has a small Benz logo standing on the hood, is sold.

-The interior also exudes luxury.

▲The interior applies horizontal design elements to create a spacious effect, and real wood materials are used throughout to enhance the luxury feel. The 12.3-inch 'Wide Screen Cockpit Display,' which integrates the digital cluster and AVN (Audio, Video, Navigation), creates a futuristic car atmosphere. However, it is somewhat disappointing that the navigation system does not support a touch-type display. Instead, the system allows text input by turning a jog dial on the center console. As someone accustomed to touchscreens, I found this operation somewhat inconvenient.

-How about the powertrain?

▲The E 300 e Exclusive features a 3rd generation plug-in hybrid system, increasing the electric-only driving range to 31 km, which is double that of the previous 2nd generation PHEV model (15 km). This means that typical commuting distances within 30 km can be covered purely in electric mode. The E 300 e Exclusive combines a 4-cylinder inline gasoline engine with a 90 kW electric motor powered by a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering a combined output of 333 horsepower (211 hp from the gasoline engine and 122 hp from the electric motor). Moreover, the maximum torque is 35.7 kgf·m from the gasoline engine and 44.9 kgf·m from the electric motor, providing quick response times.

It can reach speeds over 130 km/h in electric mode alone, and the zero to 100 km/h acceleration time is only 5.7 seconds. This is even faster than Maserati Levante gasoline model's 6.0 seconds. Considering that the E 300 e Exclusive is a PHEV model, this performance is remarkable. This is probably why it has earned the nickname 'high-performance eco-friendly car.' I think those who want to enjoy dynamic and fun driving while driving an environmentally conscious vehicle will be highly satisfied.

During actual driving, I was first surprised by the quietness in electric mode and then twice amazed by the immediate response and acceleration speed. The firm suspension during cornering and the 9-speed transmission designed specifically for hybrids enable high energy efficiency. Fuel efficiency is 2.5 km/kWh for the electric motor and 10.3 km/L for the gasoline engine. One downside is that when the gasoline engine engages during pure electric mode, noise enters the cabin more than expected. Since pure electric mode is very quiet, the gasoline engine sound is relatively emphasized.

-What are the differences among the driving modes?

▲The E 300 e Exclusive offers four driving modes?Hybrid, E-Mode, E-Save, and Charge?that can be selected according to the driver's preference and driving conditions. The driving mode can be manually selected by the driver via a switch or automatically chosen by the system based on detection.

First, 'Hybrid mode' operates the electric motor and gasoline engine in an optimal combination for fuel efficiency. It activates all hybrid functions such as regenerative braking, allowing the battery to charge while driving. Next, 'E-Mode' is pure electric driving mode, where the car runs solely on the electric motor until the battery is depleted, and it even generates a virtual engine sound. 'E-Save' mode limits electric usage as much as possible, driving only with the gasoline engine while maintaining the battery charge at a certain level. Lastly, 'Charge mode' charges the battery while driving or stationary but does not allow the use of the electric motor.

-What if the battery malfunctions?

▲The E 300 e Exclusive is equipped with a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The full charging time has been reduced by about an hour compared to the previous generation, now taking 1 hour and 45 minutes. One full charge allows up to 31 km of electric-only driving. To alleviate buyers' concerns about battery usage, Benz offers a warranty service covering 8 years or 160,000 km.

-What about the price?

▲The price of the E 300 e Exclusive, reflecting the individual consumption tax reduction, is 78.5 million KRW. Although this is not a small amount, it is only about 1.6 million KRW more expensive than the gasoline model of the same class, the E 300 4MATIC Exclusive. For those considering purchasing a similarly sized imported premium sedan, the PHEV model is definitely worth considering when factoring in fuel costs. Even though it is the same model externally, the value difference with the eco-friendly powertrain PHEV model is clear.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.