Mercedes-Benz has added a second plug-in hybrid to its line-up in the form of the new C350 Plug-in Hybrid.

Revealed at the Detroit motor show, it is one of 10 plug-in hybrid models Mercedes plans to launch before the end of 2017, and the first from the German car maker to use a combination of a four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor.

Read the full Mercedes-Benz C350e review

Following the S500 Plug-in Hybrid into showrooms, the C350 Plug-in Hybrid will be sold in both saloon and estate bodystyles, with UK deliveries planned to get under way in June, according to officials from Mercedes-Benz.

As with other recently introduced fifth-generation C-class models, it comes with two different styling treatments: an Exclusive version with a traditional chrome grille and an Avantgarde version featuring a more sporting grille.

Mercedes' second production-based plug-in hybrid model is powered by a combination of a modified version of the longitudinally mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine already used in the C250 and a brushless electric motor that is sited within the front section of the gearbox housing.

The combustion engine delivers 208bhp at 5500rpm and 258lb ft of torque, while the electric motor provides an additional 80bhp and 251lb ft. Altogether, the combined system output is set at 275bhp and a sturdy 442lb ft, giving the C350 Plug-in Hybrid some 74bhp and 214lb ft more than the C250, with which it shares its petrol engine.

The combined reserves are channelled through a modified version of Mercedes’ widely used 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels. It incorporates an automated clutch, which is opened during electric running to reduce mechanical drag and provide added coasting potential on a trailing throttle. As with AMG’s SpeedShift unit, the clutch is also used as a substitute for a conventional torque converter during the step-off phase when the combustion engine is in use.

Mercedes is yet to provide a weight figure for the C350 Plug-in Hybrid. However, official performance figures reveal it is quite swift in a straight line, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.9sec for the saloon and 6.2sec for the estate. Top speed is put at 155mph and 153mph respectively.

The driver can choose between five different driving modes: Economy, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. On top of this, there are four operating modes: Hybrid, E-mode, E-save and Charge. Each mode varies the energy recuperation, coasting and gearbox characteristics, with E-mode allowing the C350 Plug-in Hybrid to run in electric mode for a claimed distance of up to 19.3 miles on a fully charged battery.