2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Euro-rated at 84 MPG

2015 mb s500 hybrid console

Already an eye-popping package of performance, luxury and technology, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is about to raise ye olde bar once again: This time with a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain that Mercedes claims can return the equivalent of 84 mpg in combined travel (in European testing), while also providing 20 miles of all-electric, zero-emissions driving. 

Other preliminary specs for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid show it starts with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine making 329 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque, then complements that setup with an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery and 85 kW electric motor. Working together, the system serves up a total of 436 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque, which is enough to propel the plug-in 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class from 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.

M-B also provided some information about charging times for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid, noting that a battery at 20 percent of capacity can be fully recharged in two to four hours, depending on the source of electricity. Speaking of which, future plans for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in do include wireless inductive charging, although exact timing of that feature remains up in the air at this time.

Added Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: "The S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID is the first luxury sedan with the performance of a V8 and the fuel consumption of a compact model. The greatest challenge in this is to translate efficiency into superior performance. In this respect there is a highly interesting parallel with our successful Formula 1 racing car, which likewise has a turbocharged V6 engine and a high-tech hybrid drive."

Highlights

Although the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in is unlikely to see an 84-mpg rating from the EPA, it does go all-in with fuel-saving technologies in a bid for superior efficiency. In fact, its intelligent operating system is able to optimize hybrid, electric and traditional power delivery, as well as its advanced regenerative braking capability and route data from its navigation system, to continuously adapt operation for superior efficiency in just about all scenarios.

As an example provided by Mercedes, that system can take note of an upcoming hill to deliver extra, gas-saving electrical power for the ride up, "knowing" that it can then adjust the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class to re-charge the battery via regenerative braking on the way down. Another case in point is the high-tech accelerator pedal for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid. It can use haptic feedback—as well as navigation data about upcoming road/traffic conditions—to signal when drivers can take their feet off the gas to maximize coasting and regenerative braking functionality in other driving situations. (Naturally, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in also can decouple its engine from the drivetrain entirely while coasting, to reduce transmisison drag and further enhance fuel economy.)

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-In Hybrid also showcases the full M-B portfolio of premium content, including safety, infotainment and connectivity features, while also leveraging its electrically enhanced powertrain for some new touches, like the ability to remotely pre-condition the climate systems of the car before the driver ever enters the cockpit.

The bottom line from Ola Källenius, executive vice president for Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars: "The new S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID offers our customers the entire range of innovations that make our new S-Class so successful, and thanks to its intelligent operating strategy ensures outstanding driving pleasure and dynamism combined with the highest efficiency. Moreover, it allows completely emission-free driving for up to 20 miles,"