Here is the Plug-In Hybrid S-Class
Electrification is all the rage right now, and honestly, when you see MPG figures skyrocket in otherwise fuel-hungry cars, you can see why it’s becoming so popular. Governments around the world are imposing massive fines, and putting together amazingly complex laws to enforce higher and higher MPG on manufacturers. Thankfully, or not, most manufacturers are actually meeting and exceeding those figures fairly easily. This is largely due to the electrification of most cars. Enter Mercedes and the all-new S-Class Plug-In Hybrid.
This new S-Class is powered by both a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine good for around 329 hp, and a 116-hp electric motor, for a total 442 hp. Where it really becomes worthy of being in the S-Class is the massive 479 lb-ft of torque. This car will still get to 60 in 5.2 seconds. Add those amazingly good performance figures to the environmental figures, of which this car can return 100 MPG, and this large luxury limo essentially becomes better than any Prius ever built.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the whole electrification of the car industry. On one hand, I cannot argue with the brilliance and torque that comes from these electric motors. They are just on a whole different level to what I am used to, and are just fantastic. On the other hand, the process to build these batteries and maintain them is pretty terrible for the environment, and kind of negates the whole “better MPG and lower emissions” thing.
So long as we are working toward better technology with a decreased environmental impact, I can get behind these strides, but if we are just electrifying to stay with the trend and we’re not pushing the boundaries, then this has no use. Although, if you were in one of these hybrids and pulled up next to a Prius, you could roll down your window and shove their smug smirk right up their tailpipes because out of the two of you, you have the more environmental car.