Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid: From Africa to England on just a single tank of fuel – Time to introduce diesel & hybrid cars in Egypt and the Middle East !

After the recent increase of fuel prices in Egypt (diesel from 1.10 LE Egyptian Pound to 1.80LE, 92 Octane from 1.85 LE to 2.60 LE and 95 Octane from 5.85 LE to 6.25 LE) it is only natural that the Egyptian consumer will start looking for cars with efficient diesel engines.

At the same time Mercedes Egypt must start introducing diesel cars officially in Egypt, especially when you hear that a Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has travelled the 1968 kilometres from Tangier in North Africa to Goodwood in England without having to refuel - and on reaching its destination still had enough fuel left for a further 160 kilometres!

So, what is the story behind this Tangier-Goodwood trip?

"Is it possible to drive a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon from North Africa to the UK on just a single tank of fuel?" British journalist Andrew Frankel discovered the answer this question by conducting a very challenging experiment of his own.

He and his co-driver set off from Tangier in Morocco in a standard E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, crossed through Spain and France and reached their destination in Goodwood in England after driving for 27 hours.

On arrival the speedometer showed that a distance of 1968 kilometres had been covered – and the fuel gauge still showed that there was enough fuel left over for around a further 160 kilometres. The total range of the hybrid vehicle, which is available as an option with an 80-litre diesel tank, can therefore be calculated at some 2129 kilometres.

Admittedly, on their journey across two continents, four countries and through three time zones, the adventurous journalist and his companion made sure that they adopted a fuel-efficient driving style, however at times their progress was made difficult by heavy rain, high temperatures, big differences in altitude and also heavy rush-hour traffic. Nevertheless they ultimately posted an average consumption of just 3.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres –combined consumption figures of 3.8 to 4.1 litres (corresponding to 99 to 109 grams of CO2 per kilometre) indicated by the manufacturer. As a result, the 27-hour long-distance journey is not only proof of the outstanding practical qualities of the innovative hybrid technology of Mercedes-Benz, but also demonstrates that the consumption figures indicated by the Stuttgart-based premium brand are both realistic and applicable in everyday use.

Despite its frugal use of fuel, the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID boasts spirited driving pleasure. Its four-cylinder diesel engine (150 kW / 204 hp), which is combined with an electric motor (20 kW / 27 hp), accelerates the Saloon from a standing start to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 242 km/h. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID therefore justifiably occupies a leading position among the most economical models in the upper medium-size category in every respect.

Unfortunately the E300 BlueTEC is not officially offered in Egypt and the Middle East yet. I think it is about time to introduce those impressive diesel and hybrid engine in the Middle Eastern and North African markets, because this engine is really fun to drive and offers much more driving pleasure than most of the other gasoline engine.

And before I hear the usual not-very-convincing ‘excuse’ about the ‘bad diesel quality’ in Egypt, I would like to remember the gentlemen at Mercedes Benz Egypt, as well as at the other car importers operating in Egypt, that most of the European expats and diplomats in Egypt use different Mercedes models with diesel engines and are not facing any problems.

So, dear Mercedes Benz Egypt: start updating your workshops and service stations with diesel spare parts and diagnostic systems, and get those fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive diesel engines to the Egyptian consumers.

MS
09.07.2014
Stuttgart – Cairo - Dubai