New York - Mercedes presented the new ML 450 Hybrid fitted with two electric engines and a V6 engine with an output of 205 kW/279 hp at the New York Auto Show.

Developed especially for the North American market, it is the first full hybrid from a European manufacturer. The electric engines, which have an output of 62 kW/84 hp and
60 kW/82 hp, are integrated into the transmission.

According to Mercedes, the ML 450 Hybrid consumes almost 50 per cent less fuel than the ML550, although it boasts over 90 per cent of the maximum power generated by the V8 model.

"The intelligent control of the hybrid driveline automatically selects the optimum drive configuration. Depending on conditions, the ML 450 Hybrid can operate entirely on electric power or on the combustion engine alone or on a combination of both drives," says Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes in the United States.

Mercedes lists highway consumption at 24 miles to the gallon and 21 mpg in city driving. This translates to 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres and 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

On the performance side, acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is eight seconds. The top speed is around 210 km/h.