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Plug-In Hybrid Option For Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class

 
8 2,342 views Jan 3, 2010
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2009 Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

A full-sized luxury sedan capable of sub-6.0 second runs to 62 mph and fuel economy of 70 mpg or better may seem a little farfetched but it’s a promise Mercedes-Benz would like to deliver in time for its next-generation S-Class.

Due for sale in 2012, the new S-Class sedan will be offered with plug-in hybrid technology, and eventually this option will be offered across the automaker’s fleet.

The information comes from Mercedes-Benz research and development chief Thomas Weber, who explained to Autocar during a recent interview that it “makes a lot of sense to bundle the high-price tech option to the sort of customers willing to pay for this sort of thing.”

The technology has already been previewed by last year’s Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept, which combined a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine with an electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries.

Dropping this powertrain into the next-generation S-Class, which is also expected to benefit from a weight reduction program and aerodynamic aids, Mercedes-Benz could potentially deliver the promised 70 mpg luxury sedan.

There won’t be a purely electric version, however. Weber ruled such a car out due to concerns over its range. Note, however, that a plug-in hybrid version could potentially drive on all-electric power alone for short distances.

As for the rest of the lineup, expect a new range of “MoVe” modular V-6 and V-8 engines featuring direct-injection and turbocharging technologies.

[Autocar]





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Comments (8)

  1. By  screen protector Posted: 1/3/2010 6:51pm PST

    Nope, I don't think they've gotten it right this time. Firstly, Mercedes themselves may not have finalised on the design. Second, it looks way too similar to the W221. More like an evolution rather than an entirely new platform.
     
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  2. By  winter olympics Posted: 1/3/2010 6:59pm PST

    OK. So, here's how it's going to go. The C class will be plagued with quality and reliability problems but........the one's built in da fatha land won't be affected, it'll only be the one's built in the US that will be crap. LOL. You know like what they say about the Jetta........it's only the Jetta's that are built in Mexico that are crap. (rolls eyes)
     
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  3. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 1/4/2010 9:24am PST

    If they can get it to 70mpg, then just this one model alone can raise their CAFE rating enough to justify the continuation of horsepower-mad AMG models. I'm all for luxury/performance manufacturers selling hybrids, if it means we can still get traditional, high-performance cars.
     
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  4. By Agent Posted: 1/4/2010 1:15pm PST

    They must have had to pump the engine to get it that much power to drive the heavy beast.
     
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  5. By  Car Care Company Posted: 1/4/2010 4:15pm PST

    Yep, another manufacturer announcing yet another hybrid. Just a stop gap between gas and diesel cars on the way to true hydrogen powered ones.
    Now if they all came with photo cells on the roof or wind mills at home to help recharge the batteries that would be great. But as long as a large carbon footprint is made to recharge the batteries what good is it in the larger scheme of things?
    Either come out with a good veg powered diesel, or put the money in your hydrogen powered program to speed it along more quickly.
     
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  6. By John Brennan Posted: 1/15/2011 1:12am PST

    Does anyone know that our Department of Energy and ahead of us the whole danged rest of the civilized world has been working on the mass production of Fuel Cell vehicles not only to reduce emmissions but to reduce oil consumption.The world has determined that 2015 is beginning of a transformation in the way that we fuel our transportation needs.By 2030 is when the U.S. expects to be completely transformed into a hydrogen economy.The world as we know it is going to change in dramatic ways for the better.It is know joke.Education in these matters will only help you prosper in the future.
     
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  7. By John Brennan Posted: 1/15/2011 1:20am PST

    I fogot to mention lastly but not least.NO MORE WAR FOR OIL.Peace out!
     
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  8. By John Brennan Posted: 1/15/2011 1:57am PST

    I won't shut up but how many people think George Bush will go down in history as a legend for signing the Hydrogen energy inititive in 2003?Or Obama will be thought of as a brave hero for pulling us out of the worst recession since the big one?We are all in it together people.
     
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