Mercedes-Benz next to offer plug-in hybrids in PH

Mercedes-Benz was one of the brands that had a rocky start to its electrification targets when demand for EVs in the global market simmered down.

The German luxury marque went all-in towards full electrification, but they had to realign their commitments by altering strategies and changing product directions. From building vehicles dedicated to EVs, Mercedes has shifted to building platforms that accept a diverse range of powertrains to meet differing needs across their markets.

That effect has now reached the Philippine market, as Mercedes-Benz PH is all set to introduce their first plug-in hybrids next week with the premiere of the GLC and E-Class PHEVs. The brand has already given us an invite for the premiere, but they are yet to share details about the specifications of the two electrified vehicles.

The GLC PHEV is likely to come in the GLC350e trim that's powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with plug-in hybrid technology, putting out a combined 313 PS and 550 Nm of torque paired to a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. Based on US market specs, the PHEV powertrain gives the GLC350e an all-electric range of up to 87 kilometers with its 24.8 kWh battery.

On the other hand, the E-Class that’s coming to PH could come in the E350e trim with the AMG Line upgrade. Like the GLC, the executive sedan has a 2.0-liter, inline-4 turbo and an electric motor forming its plug-in hybrid architecture. With a 25.4 kWh battery, the E350e could reach over 100 km on a single charge for its all-electric range.

That said, we’ll only have a week to find out if these would mirror the final specifications for the Philippine market. But more importantly, it will be interesting to see how will the Mercedes-Benz PHEVs will fare in terms of pricing compared to BMW.