Just a few weeks ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has just announced that they'll be unveiling two new hybrid models. The E 300 and E 400 BlueTEC HYBRID are being targeted towards the luxury-class business sedan segment and both utilize a modular hybrid concept using lithium-ion batteries. They each also have a reduction in C02 emissions and overall fuel consumption when compared to the E 250 CDI. The E 300 is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine with a total of 204hp and 368lb-ft.

It is then combined with an electric motor that produces an additional 27hp and 184lb-ft. The German automaker is claiming that it can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph. The E 400, by contrast, features a V6 gasoline engine with 306hp and 272lb-ft of torque, which is then further supplemented with the same power from the electric motor that's in the E 300. All told, it'll achieve 24/31 mpg city/highway. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.

Mercedes wants to point out that both variants are part of their "ntelligent downsizing" strategy: increase in the engine output of each thanks to the electric motor. Both cars will be launched in Europe early next year and they're also planned for release in China and Japan. We'll have further details in only a few weeks from Detroit.

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