Cars Specs

2015 Mercedes Benz S Class Specs Price Review-Your Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid will be the first of up to ten petrol- and/or diesel-electric run models confirmed for launch with the German car maker before the end of 2017.

This succeeds the S300 BlueTEC Crossbreed and S400 Crossbreed but adds 1 vital new aspect, namely the capability of its battery to be charged via sometimes standard household mains electricity or a high voltage electrical system – in lieu of simply by recuperated means or busy via the petrol engine.

This allows the particular S500 Plug-in Hybrid to utilize a much larger lithium ion power supply than its predecessors, which inturn provides its electric powered motor with far greater energy reserves in addition to, crucially, a a lot more than ten-fold increase within electric range.

On the feathered throttle in optimal weather conditions, it is claimed to be able to travel up to help 20 miles previous to its battery is depleted and also the petrol engine is thrilled.

At the heart with the hi-tech luxury saloon is really a newly developed plug-in hybrid system identified as boasting modular houses that will help it become tailored for use with varying outputs in an array of upcoming alternative get Mercedes-Benz models.

In the S500 Plug-in Hybrid the new system employs some sort of turbocharged 3. 0-litre V6 immediate injection petrol serp developing 242bhp in addition to 354lb ft. Your electric motor, at the same time, is set in the forward section with the gearbox, and creates 114bhp and 251lb toes.

Together, the petrol serp and electric motor provide a combined system productivity of 436bhp in addition to 479lb ft. Thus giving the S500 Plug-in Crossbreed greater reserves versus Porsche Panamera Utes E-Hybrid, whose supercharged 3. 0-litre petrol engine and electric powered motor deliver some sort of combined 415bhp in addition to 435lb ft.

The combined productivity is channeled via a seven-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels in any on the list of four different generating modes: Hybrid, E-mode, E-save in addition to Charge. Additionally, the particular gearbox offers a few separate modes: Elizabeth (Efficiency), S (Sport) in addition to E (Economy).

Just as one incentive to potential buyers, Mercedes-Benz is offering a six year/60, 000 mile performance guarantee for the S500 Plug-in Hybrid’s 8. 7kWh power supply.

More than anything else, though, it is the particular battery which enhances the weight of the new car. At 2140kg, it tips the particular scales 145kg above a lot more traditional turbocharged four. 7-litre V8-powered S500.

What exactly is it like?

Whether gliding close to city streets or cruising out on the open street, the S500 Plug-in Hybrid is really a superbly serene and relaxing strategy to travel.

Its hi-tech driveline works with Swiss watch-like precision and whisper quiet properties in all modes. The transition involving pure electric running and also the engagement of the particular petrol engine mainly because it switches into a mix of both state is almost imperceptible.

The mixture of petrol power in addition to electric propulsion offer the plush household leather lined saloon that has a broad and entertaining array of performance qualities. In electric mode it provides pleasingly urgent step off and flexible properties at speeds up to and including limited 87mph.

Theres also sufficient reserves to be had in petrol-electric a mix of both mode to haul it along with an impressive flip of pace in addition to compelling high speed vigor if your conditions permit.

Regardless of the weight burden triggered the large power supply and all it is various ancillaries, Mercedes-Benz says the particular S500 Plug-in Hybrid is able to accelerating from 0 to help 62mph in 5. 2sec and reaching a high speed limited to help 155mph. By assessment, the 45kg light Porsche Panamera Utes E-Hybrid offers respective figures of 5. 5sec in addition to 167mph.

Official mixed cycle economy is put at 101mpg – some sort of figure that refers to average CO2 emissions of simply just 65g/km.

Mercedes-Benz is realistic enough to help acknowledge few motorists, if anyone, are able to replicate this within everyday driving disorders. Although with a totally charged battery in addition to resolutely light throttle loads you possibly can manage to get some amazing economy figures out of it, even over extended distances.

I got close to the prescribed consumption figure over an average of 88mpg over some sort of 48-mile route, although 14 miles from it was achieved on electrical power alone and it had been all at a reasonably moderate speed over relatively flat terrain. For the record, the Porsche Panamera Utes E-Hybrid is claimed to provide 91. 1mpg in addition to 71g/km.

It may provide a bewildering choice associated with driving modes but its not necessarily a difficult car to work. You can hop in and drive off like any of Mercedes-Benz’s far more traditional petrol or perhaps diesel flagship saloon products without giving it much as a minute thought. But to really receive the best from the S500 Plug-in Hybrid you should become familiar which consists of four main generating modes – an operation which takes occasion and persistence.

Crossbreed combines the petrol engine and electric powered. E-mode offers natural electric running until the battery charge is depleted. E-save enables you to preserve the energy in the battery by favouring the particular petrol engine till another mode is chosen and making it possible for the stored energy to be used for natural electric running later on, when entering the particular London congestion charge zone, for illustration. Charge employs the particular petrol engine to top the battery out and about.

At one point during our first drive with the S500 Plug-in Crossbreed its digital musical instrument display indicated the particular battery charge experienced dipped to just 25 percent, suggesting its electric powered range was limited to around five miles. But when My partner and i placed it into Charge mode, the force store was replenished to 85 percent within 25 mins, giving it pretty much 18 miles associated with electric range.

Contentedly, the added fat hasn’t affected the particular ride. Riding on common 18-inch wheels shod along with low rolling level of resistance tyres – 245/50 at the front and the 275/45 in the rear – the new Mercedes-Benz provides the same cosseting qualities seeing that other S-class products.

A neat feature will be the so-called Haptic Accelerator. It operates in conjunction with the stereo camera mounted in the windscreen, providing an impulse in the throttle to signal you happen to be too close to the car ahead and will recuperate energy by means of lifting off – of which the S-class automatically switches right freewheeling state while using the petrol engine in addition to electric motor disengaged in the gearbox.

As we noted on the earlier S300 BlueTEC Crossbreed and S400 Crossbreed, the action with the brake pedal is compromised by the need to recuperate energy through braking, lacking pertaining to uniform firmness in the course of its travel.

Unlike the power supply of S300 BlueTEC in addition to S400 Hybrid which resided beneath the bonnet, the battery utilized by the S500 Plug-in Crossbreed is mounted in the forward section with the boot. This robs ninety five litres of baggage capacity, reducing it with a total of 395 litres.

Should i buy one?

The S500 Plug-in Hybrid is really a very convincing proposition, offering a absolutely impressive electric array and stout mixed petrol-electric performance in addition to outstanding refinement and also the sort of economy you could expect from a tight hatchback rather than fully loaded high-class saloon.

It is really a limousine you can drive that has a largely clear conscience – albeit one which is burdened along with weight, limited upon luggage space, has a charging infrastructure in addition to, with a price tag of £87, 965 in the united kingdom, only likely to sell in limited quantities.

If you contain the financial means in addition to commute into key London, it is likely to appeal. Otherwise, the S350 BlueTEC is surely an attractive alternative for a price of £62, 905 and devoid of the hassle of having to get a socket to plug into.

Price £87,965; 0-62mph 5.2 secs; Top speed 155mph; Economy 100.9mpg; C02 65g/km; Kerb weight 2140kg; Engine V6, 2996cc turbocharged petrol; Electric motor brushless synchronous; Combined power 436bhp; Combined torque 479lb ft; Gearbox seven-speed automatic