Mercedes V-ision-e concept previews V-Class plug-in hybrid
New V-ision-e concept at the Geneva Motor Show looks ahead to efficient Mercedes V-Class plug-in
Mercedes has dropped a big hint at what we could expect from a plug-in hybrid V-Class.
The German company pulled the wraps off the V-ision-e concept at the Geneva Motor Show – its first ever MPV fitted with plug-in tech.
The V-ision-e combines a 207bhp petrol engine delivering 350Nm of torque with an electric motor that produces 118hp and 340Nm of torque, for impressive performance.
The 0-62mph sprint is claimed to be dispatched in 6.1 seconds, while its green credentials stand up to scrutiny, too. There’s a claimed all-electric range of more than 30 miles, while CO2 emissions are pegged at 71g/km.
A high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 13.5kWh stores the energy for the electric motor.
The styling and interior are suitably cutting-edge, with a near full-length panoramic sliding roof, reclining rear executive seats and two foldable tables trimmed in white nappa leather among the highlights.
Although the car is billed as a concept, Mercedes is on a concerted push to increase its plug-in hybrid range. If the reaction to this new MPV is positive, it could go into production within a year.
At the Detroit show in January it took the wraps off a new C-Class plug-in, the C350, which uses a four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor to deliver 275bhp and 600Nm of torque, and is capable of 19 miles in electric-only mode.
It was said to be the first of 10 plug-in hybrids Mercedes will launch between now and 2017.
