FIRST LOOK: W222 Mercedes-Benz S560e – RM659k

The W222 Mercedes-Benz S 560 e has finally landed in Malaysia, marking the first time a plug-in hybrid Sonderklasse gets introduced to the market. Headline figures are startling – it’s priced at RM658,888, with motive power coming from an electrified 3.0 litre turbocharged petrol V6 that makes a combined output of 476 PS at 5,500 to 6,000 rpm and 700 Nm of torque.

Together with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, the opulent sedan sprints from zero to 100 km/h in five seconds flat, and onwards to a top speed of 250 km/h. It also has a claimed all-electric range of around 50 km, and although the workable mileage is expected to be lower under real world conditions, it’s still a notable increase over the 30+km range offered by the pre-facelift W205 C 350 e and W213 E 350 e.

Styling-wise, the hybrid features the same design cues that were introduced with the facelift, including a new three-louvre radiator grille as well as new front/rear bumpers and updated tail lamp graphics. Unlike the S 450 L, which arrived in AMG Line trim, the Malaysian-spec S 560 e is dressed in Exclusive trim (along with a Night Package) and rides on 19-inch multi-spoke alloys.

The S 560 e also features a Chauffeur package, which offers a host of adjustment and setting options through a chauffeur position (and easy-adjust head restraint) front-passenger seat and a power-retractable footrest on the front passenger side. Rear executive seats are standard, too.

Finally, thanks to hybrid tax incentives, the Mercedes-Benz S 560 e is RM41,000 cheaper than the S 450 L AMG Line, although it costs RM60,000 more than the pre-facelift S 400 h, which went for RM598,888 in its last AMG Line iteration back in 2017. Like what you see, industry captains?

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