Mercedes E 350 e
Auto Express|May 24 2017

FIRST UK DRIVE E-Class gets plug-in hybrid option for first time, and we try it on British roads

Lawrence Allan
Mercedes E 350 e

FOR two decades now, if you were given an executive saloon as a company car it would have almost certainly had a diesel engine. The market has been skewed toward the black pump for economy and CO 2 savings, but now there’s a breed of petrol plug-ins entering the fray. And we’re testing the Mercedes E 350 e for the first time in the UK.

Like the BMW 530e we drove a few weeks ago (Issue 1,470), this is the first plug-in E-Class. The previous-generation diesel-electric E 300 BlueTEC couldn’t be charged from a socket, so only claimed 67mpg. 

The E 350 e claims 134mpg and 57g/km, which is slightly down on the BMW but is still impressive. As a result it has an 11 per cent Benefit in Kind (BiK) rating. The BMW is cheaper to tax, falling in the nine per cent bracket.

Denne historien er fra May 24 2017-utgaven av Auto Express.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 24 2017-utgaven av Auto Express.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA AUTO EXPRESSSe alt
GR86 concept salutes Toyota rally heritage
Auto Express

GR86 concept salutes Toyota rally heritage

TOYOTA has revealed a one-off concept at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

time-read
1 min  |
November 13, 2024
MINI COUNTRYMAN
Auto Express

MINI COUNTRYMAN

Hey MINI, you're a smash hit with grown-ups and little ones alike

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
Auto Express

CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS

Hybrid technology isn't new, but it has been improved over the years, thankfully

time-read
2 mins  |
November 13, 2024
BARGAIN HUNT
Auto Express

BARGAIN HUNT

The new Dacia Duster and MC ZS are the UK's cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 13, 2024
WORLD OF VOLVO
Auto Express

WORLD OF VOLVO

We make a trip to Sweden to visit Volvo's new museum and experience centre in Gothenberg

time-read
6 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Audi RS Q8
Auto Express

Audi RS Q8

FIRST DRIVE We put updated flagship version of brand's range-topping SUV through its paces on road and track

time-read
4 mins  |
November 13, 2024
BMW M135
Auto Express

BMW M135

FIRST DRIVE Hot hatch's facelift brings mechanical tweaks to help it keep up with refreshed competition snapping at its heels

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Auto Express

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

FIRST DRIVE Large EV estate has the space that families and business drivers crave, but a big battery isn't always good news

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Dacia Spring
Auto Express

Dacia Spring

FIRST UK DRIVE The UK's cheapest EV is made for life in the city, but how does it fare everywhere else? We get behind the wheel

time-read
6 mins  |
November 13, 2024
All-new Renault Clio spotted for the first time
Auto Express

All-new Renault Clio spotted for the first time

The 2025 supermini will be a hybrid-powered alternative to the just-launched all-electric R5

time-read
1 min  |
November 13, 2024