Next generation Mercedes S-Class gets a plug-in hybrid version

Next generation S-Class will arrive in 2012 and will include a new line of more efficient and powerful engines. All six and eight-cylinder engines will come with direct injection, stop-start technology and will be capable of being turbocharged or used in conjunction with electric motors.

New engines compared to the current ones will provide up to 10 % more power, 25 % more torque and 25 % better economy.

For the first time the S-Class will be available as a plug-in hybrid. No information on the range and performance numbers, but according to Mercedes head of research and development Thomas Weber the hybrid model could get over 80 mpg. CO2 emissions could be lower than 100 grams.

Such improvement in fuel economy won’t be cheap and the plug-in hybrid will cost significantly more than the base S-Class.

“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,” said Weber. However Mr Weber ruled out a purely electric version due to concerns over the car’s range.

Today the most fuel efficient S-Class is the S400 BlueHybrid, which uses a 279 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 together with a 15kW electric motor.

Pictured below is the Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 plug-in concept, that was first shown last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and according to the automaker accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and has an average fuel consumption of just 73.5 mpg. Power comes from a 3.5-liter gasoline engine mated to a 44kW electric motor. Purely on EV mode it has a range of 30 km.

via: Autocar

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