A new report from Green Car Reports says Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch three plug-in hybrid models by 2016 or so. We know two of those models have been confirmed. The first is a S-Class Plug-In Hybrid due out next spring. The model will utilize a turbocharged 3.0L V6 gas engine and a 80 kW electric motor. Following the S-Class will be the C-Class plug-in hybrid in the fall.

The third model is reportedly the ML-Class. The model is expected to get a refresh for the 2016 model year and a plug-in variant is expected in the refresh. It is expected to arrive around the same time as the C-Class.

Source: Green Car Reports

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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The S-class Hybrid they have been talking numbers like 70 mpg and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds so that thing could be the bomb and really unmatched in that segment. I still wonder why they don't just take the 2.1 liter diesel and add a hybrid system to that, they have it in Europe on an E-class, that would be ideal on a C-class or ML because you'd have battery power around town and diesel on the highway and could get some huge mileage numbers.

To hit those numbers they are going to have to reduce weight and still not give up the quality of the quiet interior. My gut says MB will keep their quality and give up MPG. Be interesting to see what the final real world numbers end up being.

Electric motors are very efficient (80-90%). The very best heat engines (i.e., ICE) are only 30-40% efficient. Even if these plug-in hybrids weigh in over 5,000 lbs, there should still be a substantial increase in fuel efficiency compared to the standard car.

Might not be that much more in weight, since the S-class dropped weight compared to the old one, the C-class is dropping about 200 lbs compared to the old one. Plus you would be going from a V8 to a V6 or V6 to a I-4, so the engine downsizing should cut a little weight. Add an electric motor and 200 lbs of batteries and you are about the same, but I suspect it might have 400 lbs of batteries or more.