Mercedes-Benz E200 NGT

Mercedes Pulls Out its Best Trick for the E-Class With the E200 NGT

The Mercedes-Benz E200 is built from the ground up as a bi-fuel car. Refilling CNG (compressed natural gas) and petrol is done at the same place.

The interior looks as plush as the regular E200 save for an additional menu on the digital gauge to indicate how much gas is left in the tanks.

Two compact cylinders are tucked neatly in the spare tyre well (there is a tyre repair kit for emergencies) while a pair of chunkier tanks hide behind a partition in the boot. The remaining space measures a decent 400 litres, enough for a couple of suitcases and a golf bag.

On the move, apart from an icon on the display, there is little to differentiate between petrol and CNG running modes. On paper, the car is 0.1 second slower to 100 kmh in gas, the engine sounds and feels the same.

Curiously the trip computer does not show the range or average consumption figures. Mercedes claims the 18kg CNG capacity is good for nearly 300km, while the 65-litre petrol tank can see around 700 km (of highway driving, probably).

Beyond the driving ange benefits and how seamlessly the CNG system operates on the E200 NGT, the case for this really comes down to money.

Taking advantage of the Green Vehicle Rebate, which is 40 per cent of the car's open market value, the NGT model retails for less than the petrol-only E200 Kompressor model.

Mercedes-Benz E200 NGT Facts:

Engine: 1796cc 16-valve inline-4 supercharged
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Power: 163bhp at 5500rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 3000rpm
0-100kmh: 10.7 seconds using petrol (10.8 using CNG)
Top Speed: 227kmp
Fuel Consumption: 9 litres/100 km (6.1kg/100km) (city-highway)

Pictures of Mercedes-Benz E200 NGT