While it has yet to receive official EPA efficiency ratings, Mercedes estimates the E400 Hybrid will return 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined. Those figures mean the hybrid-ized E-Class is slightly more efficient overall than the E350 BlueTEC, though it can't match the combined numbers of rivals like the Infiniti M Hybrid (29 mpg) and Lexus GS 450h (31 mpg).
A seven-speed automatic transmission plucked from the standard E350 puts power to the rear wheels, while an automatic start/stop system eliminates fuel consumption and emissions while the vehicle is at a complete stop. Meanwhile, regenerative braking captures otherwise lost energy to recharge the battery. Mercedes-Benz has not stated just where the battery is located, but we anticipate that it will be wedged in behind the rear seatbacks in the trunk area.
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