The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-in Hybrid
When an automotive writer or editor takes a car out on the German autobahn, they’re usually looking to write something about blistering fast speeds. Writers recently got a chance to test drive the 2015 S550 Plug-in Hybrid and they enjoyed speeds that were far slower than normal. But they also enjoyed driving without using any gas, and a free massage.
S550 Plug-in Spearheads Plug-in Hybrid Offensive by Stuttgart
Not long ago premium hybrids were not much more than a marketing exercise. With stringent CO2 caps being put in place all over the globe, a good plug-in hybrid is essential to the continuation of the brand. Mercedes R&D chief Thomas Weber informed writers that the 2015 S550 Plug-in Hybrid will form the spearhead of a plug-in hybrid offensive by Mercedes that will see ten plug-in models rolled out by the company by 2017.
Specifications for the 2015 S550 Plug-in Hybrid
The gas part of the S550 powerplant is the familiar three-liter twin-turbo V6, while the electric part is a 114 horsepower electric motor receiving power from an 8.7 kwh lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid will be a rear-drive only vehicle, while other S-Class models may be front or rear wheel drive.
The moniker “plug-in hybrid” informs us that the 2015 S550 Plug-in is a much more capable vehicle than the last generation S-Class hybrids. This S550 manages about 20 miles on battery power alone, and the batteries will recharge in about two hours using a 400-volt charger or about two hours and 45 minutes using a 230 volt charger. EPA fuel economy numbers have yet to be published.
The batteries are stored in the trunk and take up about 3.4 cubic feet of storage space. Unfortunately, the battery pack also precludes a pass-through from the trunk to the passenger compartment. One of the cool things about the car is that you can cool the interior to a preset temperature, and preheat the seats, armrests, and steering wheel.
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image gallery [Automobile Magazine]