Next Mercedes-Benz S-Class to get a plug-in hybrid variant
Don’t keep looking forward to large luxury sedans with high-output V8 engines. According to AutoCar, one of the most popular large luxury sedans, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, will be offered with a plug-in hybrid variant in its next redesign. Mercedes-Benz also expects to roll out the plug-in technology across the rest of its lineup.
“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 Mercedes R&D boss Thomas Weber.
Insiders say that with the help of weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements, the next-generation plug-in S-Class sedan can return an estimated 67 mpg.
Weber says not to expect a pure electric-model but a model with a gasoline engine for extended range traveling. “It could be possible, but no,” he said. “Our customers expect a certain range and a level of comfort, safety and space; such things lead to a certain weight and that won”t mean a good [battery] range.”
At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz showed its S500 Hybrid Concept, a plug-in hybrid version of the S-Class that was powered by a V6 gasoline powered engine mated to a lithium-ion battery pack with a storage capacity of more than 10 kWh. A full charge of the electric-motor allowed the sedan to travel 19 miles on battery power alone.
Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 HYBRID Concept:
– By: Kap Shah
Source: AutoCar
