STUTTGART, Germany — Mercedes-Benz has developed a third luxury hybrid sedan, this one on its full-size S-Class platform. To be formally unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid joins the recently released S400 Hybrid and the near-production-ready Vision E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid.
The Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine and a 44-kW electric motor that offers 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 5.5 seconds, with sensational fuel economy of 74 mpg and ultra-low CO2 emissions of 74 g/km. On pure battery power, the electric motor has a range of 19 miles between charges.
Mercedes said the concept "demonstrates the long-term viability of future S Class generations."
The car's lithium-ion battery pack can store more than 10 kWh of energy and can be quick-charged at a charging station in less than an hour. A full charge from a household outlet takes four and a half hours.
The Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid is equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission and the company's Eco stop/start system.
"The Vision 500 Plug-in Hybrid is a new milestone on our path toward zero-emission mobility," said Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche. "It is a luxurious and safe S-Class that offers superior driving performance while at the same time consuming less fuel than current compacts. All of this shows that our top models will also be able to combine automotive fascination with responsibility for the environment."
Inside Line says: An S-Class that gets better mileage than a Prius — who knew? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »