drpasteur

http://www.cars.com/go/features/auto...0%20BlueHybrid

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• Competes with: Lexus LS 600h L
• Looks like: A run-of-the-mill S-Class
• Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V-6 with electric motor and seven-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2009

The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the automaker's flagship S-Class sedan that's expected to arrive in the U.S. in fall 2009. Average fuel economy is about 30 mpg, according to Mercedes, which is nearly double the 16 mpg combined rating of the V-8-powered S550.

Though a gasoline-electric version of the S-Class is significant in its own right, the S400 BlueHybrid's hybrid system also incorporates a lithium-ion battery pack. Mercedes says the operating temperature of the battery pack is regulated by the car's air conditioning system, thereby enhancing battery life and performance.

Total system output of the 3.5-liter V-6 and electric motor is 299 horsepower and 277 pounds-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz spokesman Rob Moran says the electric motor supplements the gas engine during acceleration. The automaker cites a zero-to-62-mph time of 7.3 seconds for the car and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Buyers of expensive luxury sedans haven't had many eco-friendly alternatives to traditional V-8-powered models, and even the new Lexus LS 600h L is no fuel-saver with its 20/22 mpg city/highway rating. That's about to change with the S400 BlueHybrid, which gives big spenders all the luxury they'd expect from an S-Class with significantly improved gas mileage.

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same body style...nothing different? pics attached

MBNUT1

I guess that's what you call having your cake and eating it too.

drpasteur

i really think MB should stick to what they do best, which is with the Diesel

AsianML

I want to see a diesel electric hybrid.

Untertürkheim

Oh yes. Anyone who is lucky enough to have driven an S420CDI I am sure would agree.

atw24

I think Merc made a good decision to bring the S 400 hybrid as a gasoline version first.
Would be interesting to know how many highway miles can be done on a single tank.

drpasteur

do they even have S400 as gasoline ONLY version yet? i mean 2010 S400 is both gasoline / hybrid.

atw24

yes you are right,
I intended to state with my post my gladness they bring it gas-hybrid vs. diesel-hybrid.

To my knowledge the S 400 will use the V6 engine mounted in the Asia/Europe S 350.

So an S 400 gasoline only would be roughly an S 350.

Untertürkheim

The S400 is an S350 with a hybrid system added on, the only thing not yet explained is whether it will be short, long, or both options for wheelbase.

K-A

That's awesome. Having an S-Class and getting Econ car gas mileage with low emissions is ****.

I wonder why the pictured car isn't face-lifted?

Untertürkheim

It might be a stock photo from when the idea was first announced.

Like I have always said, I would prefer a diesel, but this can be a compromise.

K-A

Indeed. The idea of driving around in a heavy ***, luxury behemoth like an S-Class and getting 30+ MPG is pretty marvelous.

mbnj

I doubt very much there has been an advancement giving this car +30MPG average fuel economy. It is probably significantly better than the deploringly poor lexus 20mpg, my guess is 25mpg real life average. That's pretty good compared to a diesel given you don't have to pay the fuel premium and from a marketing perspective (US) a gas hybrid sells better than diesel.

Diesel Benz

The current S350 has a rating of about 28 mpg average and 36 mpg for highway. 30+ for average does not sound way too good for the mild hybrid.

mbnj

DB, Is that diesel? How can an S350 get so much better mileage than an E350 with all the additional weight? If it's diesel, then you are comparing it to a gas hybrid and IMO it would be very difficult to get 30+ out of today's hybrid plants.

atw24

I believe Diesel Benz utilized imperial gallons, these are about 20 % bigger than us gallons. (4,45 liters vs. 3,78 liters).

Red Marko

Not to get too graphical .... but have you seen **** lately?
Getting excited over MB S-Class achiving good mileage is like ...
watching and enjoying at the same time "treehuggers" falling off the big Redwoods.
Graphical enough?
Just a joke.
I still remember cut from Back to the Future flick,
where Michael J. Fox sticks vegetables, tin cans and such down the tube to power the engine of his vehicle.
Thats' gonna be the day
+300MPG maybe???
Mark.

AustinGuy

Marko - what's with the **** analogy?

Red Marko

Austin,
It's a harmless joke, just to relax and ease up after "tuff" day.
Going back to your question, I get exited over nice ****... Not, over MB S/CL/SL top dogs being green(er).
I contribute/recycle, being closely watched by my wife.
That's it.
Mark.

PS.

Every time I watch your ti(n)ted beast, S63 that is,
I'm closer and closer to ti(n)t my CL too.
I have to say, you did a very nice job with that color combo

Diesel Benz

The figures were supposed to be for the S350 gasser:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...ical_data.html

But I did take accidentally imperial gallons from my excel when converting 10.2 l/100 km to mpg, it should read 23 miles per US gallon.

ChuckinTucson

Saw the S400 Blue Hybrid at the Detroit auto show. It looked like a long wheelbase version to me.

mbnj

I'm sure it's long wheelbase for US. Did they give the city/highway or combined MPG for this car?

atw24

I acutally think Merc will not bring any SWB s-class to the US any more,
though I've seen some S 450 SWB is on sale in Canada.

Really don't like the SWB though