cjf_moraga

Unless I have missed it, I have not seen anyone comment on this story that the next S-Class will be ALL hybrid...

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/merce...ory?id=8521160

To me this just sounds like eco-posturing on MB's part - the (relatively) small volume S-Class is hardly the biggest threat to the environment. Is MB really going to lose a significant part of its market who do not want underpowered hybrids - I don't think so. (Unless they do a V12 hybrid :-))

Chris

QuadBenz

If this really happens, I'm either picking up one of the last W221 FL 600/65s, or switching to the CL (unless that becomes hybrid too). I'm not a hybrid guy.

Red Marko

Big flip-flop from Mercedes on this news.
I thought, they are promoting diesels not hybrids.
Extremely risky move (if it happens).

MB_Owner

Cut 'n paste from another thread. Looks to be a short wheelbase S-Class concept. I'm going to hunt it up when I'm at the show this weekend.

WSH

Not worried

VW has Veyron V16 sedan on the way and during Bubble yrs destroyed 65 sales (AMG has done a simply awful job in marketing 65 which is brilliantly engineered and now debugged after reliability issues for first ~3 yrs) by selling those POS but rapper wannabe-friendly 12 cyl Bents (~10K/yr Bents in heyday vs ~1K/yr 65s)

Living/working on commie-leaning SF Peninsula, understand the eco-BS...but lots of wealthy engineers in SiliconValley are addicted to commuting via new 65s and G550s....unlikely to change...nor are consumption habits of our brand-fixated, 65/G550-addicted 3rdWorld pals in Mideast/Chindia/Russia (at least at their London/MonteCarlo wkend houses)

irieblue

Electric propulsion is the future.. How are you going to feel when 3319 ft/lbs of twist in an Audi R8 passes you silently in the night ;-)

http://jalopnik.com/5359733/audi-e+t...lectric-torque

cjf_moraga

...and runs out of juice (Just a range of 150 or so miles) half way down the freeway miles from a power outlet... (And over 4 hours of recharge time) Now get it up to a range of 300 or 400 miles like an equivalent tank of gas and you are talking....

Actually one of my colleagues has a Tesla and its performance is impressive - even if it is the size of an overgrown go-kart.

Chris

cjf_moraga

...I am sure a Veyron V16 sedan is going to be in a totally different category than an S65! (Both price and performance) Hardly in MB's core market which is still a volume one by comparison.

Chris

trumpet1

I also remember the threat of eliminating the V12 engine, but that was recanted later. Hopefully , they will come to their senses and abolish this idea.

trumpet1

My sentiments exactly.

Ferri

The idea appeals but for a minor point: it would make all models unnecessarily heavier than they can be. Having a V6 or V8 plus hybrid could make sense, but I don't know about the V12. And there should never, ever, be an S Class without an available V12.

Completely OOT, but have you noticed the idiocy of referring to V10, V12 and V16 engines as multi-cylinder engines? As opposed to a monocylinder 4, 6 and 8-cyl? :?

Red Marko

Funny AND very accurate post

mbnj

You are now making some sense. However, the turn toward fuel savings is also not likely to abate and the next gen MB S-hybrid will more closely track with all gas 550. I know you believe these "ordinary" 550's are rolling time bombs but they must be tolerated so MB can continue to make the big engined cars to keep you and our other important citizens safe.