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After years of extolling the virtues of diesel, Mercedes is about to launch its first gas-electric hybrid, the 2009 ML450.
Photo courtesy of DaimlerChrysler AG

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

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What is it?
2009 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

What's special about it?
Maybe you thought Mercedes was going to save the planet with diesels alone, but it turns out Stuttgart sees value in hybrids as well. And the ML450 Hybrid isn't one of those diesel-electric hybrids the company has been talking about building. Its primary power source is a gasoline engine, most likely M-B's 3.5-liter V6.

Mercedes is calling this a two-mode hybrid system, and we expect it will work much like GM's two-mode hybrid system, in which a pair of electric motors is packaged within a continuously variable transmission. Cumulative output is 340 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, suggesting that ML450 Hybrid owners will enjoy V8-like performance. Mercedes says worldwide sales will begin in 2009.

What's Edmunds' take?
DaimlerChrysler worked with GM and BMW on the development of two-mode hybrid technology, so it's no surprise it's showing up in a Mercedes product even after the two companies split. We expect the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid to be a popular addition to the M-Class lineup — assuming it's priced within range of the Lexus RX 400h. — Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor