Mercedes C350 PHEV Plugs Into Detroit Auto Show

One of the new products Mercedes-Benz announced today ahead of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show packs 443 lb-t of torque and a four-cylinder engine.

The company announced today during the 2015 Detroit Auto Show that it plans to release a plug-in hybrid model called the C350 Plug-In Hybrid. It relies on a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric powertrain that puts out a total of 275 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed automatic transmission. At the same time it is capable of traveling up to 20 miles without using gasoline.

Mercedes includes an air suspension and a pre-entry climate control system that owners will be able to use to set the cabin temperature ahead of time over an Internet connection.

This is the seconds plug-in hybrid vehicle for Mercedes following its introduction of the PHEV S-Class in Paris late last year. Today the company said it plans to launch a total of 10 plug-in hybrids through 2017.

The 6.2 kW lithium ion battery pack in this vehicle weighs roughly 220 lbs and is located under the rear axle, a choice Mercedes said it made to maximize crash safety. Of course, the pack can be replenished via a wall charger.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

The seven-speed automatic transmission features an extra clutch between the electric motor and the gasoline engine that allows the car to decouple the internal combustion portion of the powertrain to save fuel.

Energy recovery is one of the other ways Mercedes’ PHEV powertrain attempts to maximize its efficiency. The electric motor slows the car down and serves as an alternator to recoup power until braking pressure increases enough for the disc brakes to activate.

The car is also programmed to constantly adjust how much power is coming from the gasoline engine versus the electric motor.

Like other Mercedes-Benz products, the new plug-in C-Class also comes with five drive modes that allow the car to offer sharper acceleration for sportier driving or a less aggressive throttle to save fuel as well as an individual mode that lets the driver select a combination of the attributes tied to the pre-set modes.

Finally, if the driver enters an intended destination, the car will be able to calibrate itself for efficient power use over the course of the trip.

Mercedes plans to begin releasing the C350 Plug-In Hybrid to its dealers next fall.

GALLERY: 2016 Mercedes C350 Plug-In Hybrid

GALLERY: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid

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