Classic Plug-In Hybrid: 1982 Mercedes-Benz W123

The plug-in hybrid segment gets a lot of attention these days as the trend-setting, cutting-edge portion of the automotive industry, but plug-in hybrids have been around for a long time, and in typical ahead-of-the-curve fashion, Mercedes-Benz experimented with a plug-in hybrid prototype way back in 1982.

If you’re over 40, I would apologize for the use of the words “way back”, but let’s face it, we’ve come a long way in 31 years. I mean, holy 1,322-pound battery pack, Batman — where’s the space for all the dead bodies?

It gets worse: the plug-in W123 only had 41 horsepower. No extra power came from the two-cylinder gasoline motor; it acted only as a 30-mile range extender. The battery alone could power the W123 up to 62 miles.

I’ll bet you can’t guess this wagon’s 0-60 time. Actually, I know you can’t guess the 0-60 because the top speed was only 50 mph, making this prototype dangerously slow for use on public roads. That pitfall among others led to this project’s 1983 cancellation, but Mercedes electric vehicle testing never ceased. Fast forward to today, and it is probable that some of what was learned with the W123 is stirred into the recipe of the 740-horsepower SLS AMG Electric Drive … AMG’s most powerful car.

via [RanWhenParked.net]