The new W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a total of three hybrid models. We already know the specs of the first two – the S 400 Hybrid and the diesel-powered S 350 BlueTEC Hybrid, but Mercedes-Benz kept the details for the most powerful version for its Frankfurt 2013 stand.
The Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 that on its own produces 328 hp and 480 Nm of torque. But add an electric motor that can do 107 hp and 340 Nm backed by a lithium-ion battery and you get a hybrid luxo-barge that can hit 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds yet consume just 3.0 litres per 100 km on the NEDC cycle.
The Plug-In word in its name means you can flip open the lid on the rear bumper below the right taillamp and plug in a charger to charge it from your wall socket. The battery will allow the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid to travel 30 km on pure electric power. The battery is pretty sizeable – unlike the S 400 Hybrid and S 350 BlueTEC Hybrid, boot space takes a big hit no thanks to the step-up shape of the boot floor caused by having to accommodate the larger battery.
The car has four hybrid operating modes – Hybrid, E-Mode for EV driving, E-Save to reserve battery power for E-Mode driving later, and CHARGE where priority is to charge the battery while driving. Energy can be reclaimed to recharge the battery on the go via regenerative braking. When you decelerate or press the brake pedal, the priority is to turn the electric motor into an alternator to reclaim forward motion while slowing the vehicle down. Only if more braking is demanded, the mechanical brake discs will be activated.
So if you have loads of cash and a Prius just won’t do, just take your pick from one of the three different W222 hybrids to be available, if Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduces them here of course. The S 500 Plug-In Hybrid will make its world debut at Frankfurt 2013.
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3L/100km?!?!! 0-100 in 5.5s? holy mother of god. what on earth is this abomination??? that’s bloody phenomenal. well done mercedes.
A car for “tree hugging” VIP’s though the batteries itself is not really Earth friendly (mostly based on rare metals)..
Are you sure you can simply arithmetically sum up the power and torque?