An all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz ML with an electrically assisted V-6 that generates V-8–like power but with better fuel economy. Combining a 275-hp, 3.5-litre V-6 with two electric motors in the two-mode hybrid transmission—which was co-developed with BMW and General Motors when Mercedes was married to Chrysler—the power train delivers a total output of 335 hp and 381 lb-ft of torque. A 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery under the rear cargo floor provides the current for the motors, with the resulting bump in efficiency bringing fuel economy to 21 mpg city/24 highway, up from the all-wheel-drive ML350’s 15/20 rating and the 13/18 figure for the V-8–powered ML550. Want some road respect for your cleanliness? Forget it: other than the bulged hood—which we kind of dig from a design standpoint—and the unique LED tail lamps, there are few visual cues to point out this car’s hybridity.
No comments:
Post a Comment