Next-gen C-Class will be hybrid

With the pressure of driving down emissions and lowering ownerships costs even further, German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz will reportedly feature hybrid technology on its entire next-gen C-Class range. If implemented with the engineering competence that the company is known for, the sedan will bring down its emissions and fuel consumption levels into the territory of subcompact hatchbacks.

As reported on British automotive website autocar.co.uk, there is news that Mercedes-Benz is working hard at bringing some form of hybridization into all the models of the forthcoming C-Class – throughout its various diesel and petrol engines. A major rethink is underway, and the company is considering use of three-cylinder engines, four-pots that will allow deactivation of two cylinders in cruise-modes to lower consumption, and assistance from electric motors.

Engineers are also looking at reducing the weight of the new car, which is due in 2013. Sources have claimed that despite the addition of electric motors and battery packs for hybrid propulsion, the new car could still see a weight reduction of up to 10 percent.