Mercedes S500 PHEV To Get 73.5 MPG

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2,081 views Sep 11, 2009

2009 Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

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With the debut of the Mercedes Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid just days away, the company is confident that this vehicle represents the future of hybrid systems.

Soon to be on display at the 63rd annual Frankfurt Motor Show, the S500 PHEV will pave the path for Mercedes towards their goal of zero emissions mobility.  As Dieter Zetsche said, "The Vision 500 Plug-in Hybrid is a new milestone on our path towards zero-emission mobility."

As the official debut draws near, Mercedes has come forth with information about the model.  According to the company, the vehicle will be powered by a V6 gasoline engine and feature a 44 kW/ 60 hp hybrid module with power supplied by a lithium-ion battery with more than 10kWh of storage capacity.  All of the hardware equates to a large, luxury vehicle that can reach 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds while returning up to 73.5 mpg.  In addition to strong acceleration and a highly efficient powertrain, the vehicle will emit only 74 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

The words of Dr Thomas Weber sums up the likelihood of seeing this vehicle and its associated technologies reaching mass production.  As Weber said, "Although it will take some time before this model can go into series production, our engineers will be working full steam to carry out the necessary integration measures and ensure that all components can meet the tough everyday demands required of a luxury long-distance saloon. We’ve already got all the key technology we need for such a dream car, which is why I see it being included in the next generation of the S‑Class. The important thing now is that our development work be accompanied by the establishment of a full-coverage infrastructure that will allow the potential of this innovative drive system to be fully exploited.”

The hybrid system could slowly trickle down through other Mercedes products and due to its compact size and packaging, would be an easy retrofit for many existing models produced by the company.

In the S500 PHEV, the hybrid powertrain allows the driver to cover a range of up to 30 km on electricity alone.  According to Mercedes, this range is sufficient to covers many trips within large cities without producing any emissions.  While travelling at high rates of speed or driving up inclines, the gasoline engine immediately comes to life to provide additional power.

Properly named the Vision, this vehicles presents us with a look towards the future of Mercedes products.  Along with the S400 Hybrid which offers best in class fuel economy of any luxury sedan and the Vision E 300 BlueTEC which combines a small diesel engine with a 15 kW hybrid module, the Vision S500 presents yet another way that Mercedes aims to be the leader in hybrid luxury vehicles.

Each Mercedes product utilizes a unique hybrid powertrain with distinct advantages in each situation.  The Vision S500 PHEV technical data from the company is listed below.  Additional information should become available at the official debut in Frankfurt.

Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - Technical data

Combustion engine (petrol)

No. of cylinders/arrangement: V6, 4 valves per cylinder

Displacement: 3.5 l

Hybrid module

Type: Permanently excited synchronous machine

Rated output: approx. 44 kW/60 PS

Rated torque: 250 Nm

Performance and fuel consumption

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: 5.5 s*

Top speed: 250 km/h

Fuel consumption: 3.2 l/100 km (combined)*

CO2 emissions: 74 g/km (combined):

*preliminary values

Source:  Daimler Media Release

Shortly after the successful market launch of the S 400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the first “three-litre car” in the premium class - the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - at the 63rd IAA in Frankfurt. The technology vehicle will display the future of Mercedes-Benz’ modular set of hybrid systems. The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity and therefore without producing any local emissions. The efficient drive system combined with the CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode enables the vehicle to achieve a certified consumption of only 3.2 litres of petrol per 100 kilometers. With CO2 emissions of only 74 grams per kilometre in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), the experimental vehicle developed in Sindelfingen demonstrates the long-term viability of future S‑Class generations.The outstanding values are made possible by the combination of a plug-in hybrid with the efficiency-boosting BlueEFFICIENCY measures. At the same time, the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID has all of the strengths that are typical of the S‑Class: top comfort, outstanding safety and masterful performance. The drive system in the concept car consists of three main components: a powerful V6 petrol engine with a next-generation direct injection system, a 44 kW/60 hp hybrid module and a lithium-ion battery with more than 10 kWh of storage capacity that can be recharged at charging stations. The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.