The Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLC plug-in hybrids offer a range of more than 100 km

The Frankfurt Motor Show is about to get underway and the star brand is getting ahead of the bustle by unveiling the new Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC EQ Power and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is a plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 211 CV and 349 Nm of torque. The model is also equipped with a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor producing 123 CV and 440 Nm of torque.

This setup gives the model a combined maximum output of 320 CV and 700 Nm of torque. This allows the crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, before reaching a top speed of up to 230 km/h. More importantly, the GLC can travel 46-49 km on electricity alone under the New European Driving Cycle and 39-43 km under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure.

The model comes equipped with LED headlights, EQ ambient lighting and a rear charging port. Mercedes-Benz also said the crossover has a cargo capacity of 395-1445 litres, which is “just below that of other GLCs”. The star brand has also presented the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC, which features a more impressive plug-in powertrain. It consists of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, a 31.2 kWh battery and an electric motor. Despite these differences, the model also has a combined output of 320 CV and maximum torque of 700 Nm.

That is where the similarities end: the 0-100 km/h sprint takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is 210 km/h. These figures are not as impressive as those of the GLC, but the GLE has an ace up its sleeve: range. Thanks to the larger battery, the GLE 350 4MATIC can travel 106 km on electricity alone under the New European Driving Cycle and 90-99 km under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure.

Plug-in hybrid GLE and GLC, here’s what they’re like

The crossover also features a “redesigned rear end and modified rear axle” that help create space for the battery. This gives the model a cargo capacity of up to 1915 litres. Both the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 300 e 4MATIC feature a new on-board charger that doubles the charging capacity from 3.6 kW to 7.4 kW. Thanks to this, a fully discharged battery can reach its maximum charge in 1.5 hours. If the car is connected to a domestic charging point, it will take approximately 5 hours.

In addition, the advanced MBUX infotainment system has been optimised so that it shows the charging points we may come across during the journey. The driver can activate this function simply by asking the voice assistant.

Although the two SUVs debut the brand’s latest technology, Mercedes-Benz is already an expert manufacturer of hybrid technologies. The first model to be electrified was the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, launched in 2009. Therefore, ten years after the brand launched its first electrified model, the strategy has grown by leaps and bounds, since the goal is to have 20 electrified models by 2020