Mercedes Plans 10 New Plug-Ins by 2017

Mercedes plans to electrify 10 of its vehicles in the next two years.

The German brand will launch a new plug-in hybrid roughly every four months from now right through to 2017. The brand’s first plug-in vehicle, the S500 Plug-In, launched in late 2013 and will be followed up by the launch of the C350 Plug-In this month. By the time the entire plan is put in place, nearly every one of Mercedes’ major product lines will have a plug-in hybrid option.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes S500 Plug-In Details

Exactly which models will get plug-in powerplants hasn’t been revealed, though Mercedes has dropped some clear hints. The new GLE crossover will be the first of the brand’s SUVs to get a plug-in powerplant according to the company, while the V-ision e Concept that the brand recently unveiled points clearly towards a plug-in version of the Mercedes Vito cargo van which is going to be sold in the U.S. as the Metris.

That concept also shows Mercedes’ new nomencalture, which will see the words ‘plug-in’ replaced with an ‘e’ in the model name.

The upcoming C350e will use a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to a 60kW motor, making a combined 275 hp. The car will be able to travel about 20 miles on electricity alone, while average fuel consumption is pegged at 112 mpg on the European test cycle.

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