Mercedes E Superlight by 2015

An announcement came from Audi has the E-tron and BMW about their new i line-up, but what about Mercedes? British magazine, CAR, suggests that Mercedes is considering a new E Superlight saloon for the 2015 model year. This new model will bethe same size as the CLS and will have the S-Class’ price, but will combine design elements from concepts like the F800 and the F125.

The new E Superlight sedan will be based on the platform of the next generation E-Class and will feature short rear pantograph panels that swing out and back. It will come with a stiff and strong carbon fiber structure that will help it reduce its weight considerably - down by about 350 kg/772 lbs, thanks in large part to the carbon fiber’s 1300 kg/2,866 lbs weight - as well as its cost and complexity.

Mercedes will opt for a load-based confectioning scheme that will allow the suspension and the drivetrain to be integrated into the monocoque. The car’s hybrid system will combine a 150 HP fuel-cell which drives the rear wheels in sync with a 50 HP electric motor.

The Mercedes E Superlight will go on sale as a limited edition in 2015, but by 2017, Mercedes hopes to sell about 20,000 units.