New S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID: The S-Class as a "three litres per 100 kilometres" car

The third hybrid model of the new S-Class, the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID, sets new benchmarks with regard to efficiency as well as drive-system and climate comfort. With 69 g CO2 per kilometre (3 litres/100 km) the S-Class sets a new benchmark for luxury saloons that just a few years ago was thought virtually impossible. The 80-kW electric drive with externally rechargeable battery makes emission-free driving for about 30 km possible. It is combined with the new 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine. Mercedes-Benz will present the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). The market launch will be next year.

The S 400 HYBRID was the first in the world to feature a standard-specification hybrid drive system with lithium-ion battery in 2009. With the new S-Class Mercedes-Benz expands the hybrid line-up in this model series to three models: the S 400 HYBRID, S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID. All second-generation hybrid drive systems share the seamless integration into the powertrain. The combustion engine can be completely decoupled from the electric motor. Further features are the second-generation recuperative braking system and the anticipatory Intelligent HYBRID energy management system.

"With the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID Mercedes-Benz sets another milestone on the road to emission-free mobility on the basis of our modular hybrid matrix", explains Prof Dr Thomas Weber, responsible on the Daimler Board of Management for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Product Engineering. "In this way the S-Class turns into a genuine three-litre car with generous space and superlative drive-system comfort."

While the batteries of the S 400 HYBRID and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID as autonomous hybrids are charged during braking or coasting or by the combustion engine, the new high-voltage lithium-ion battery of the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID has ten times the energy content and offers the option of being recharged from an external source with a charging socket located on the right side of the rear bumper. With the help of the electric synchronous motor (80 kW/340 Nm) the S-Class can thus drive for up to around 30 kilometres on electric power alone.

Four hybrid operating modes can be selected at the push of a button:

• HYBRID
• E-MODE: electric power only
• E-SAVE: fully charged battery is reserved to be able to drive on electric power alone later
• CHARGE: battery is charged while driving

Under the conditions specified by the certification rules the S-Class as a full hybrid generates 69 g CO2 per kilometre. With consumption equivalent to 3 litres per 100 kilometres the S-Class sets a new benchmark for luxury saloons that just a few years ago was thought virtually impossible. It delivers these top values without restrictions in power, passenger comfort or operating range and offers a high level of climate comfort thanks to the pre-entry climate control functions.

The most important benchmark data of the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID:

• Power output of 245 kW of the combustion engine plus 80-kW electric motor and torque of 480 Nm of the combustion engine plus 340 Nm of the electric motor
• Overall consumption (NEDC) 69 g CO2/km (3.0 l/100 km)
• Operating range on electric power alone about 30 km
• Top speed 250 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 5.5 sec.
• Intelligent HYBRID: anticipatory energy management system with optimal use of recuperation during deceleration
• Individualisation possible as the result of the combination of the transmission modes with the four hybrid operating modes – HYBRID, E‑MODE, E-SAVE and CHARGE.
• Haptic accelerator pedal for superior vehicle control: A point of resistance on the accelerator pedal provides feedback about the activation of the combustion engine and helps in metering the power output.
• Fast external charging of the high-voltage traction battery
• Pre-entry climate control of the interior
  Source:http://mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.in/2013/08/new-s-500-plug-in-hybrid-s-class-as.html