With a combined output of 299 horsepower and 284 pounds-feet of torque, the 2-ton sedan can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds -- a tenth of a second faster than a Euro-spec, gasoline-running S350 of similar displacement.
Of course, should you be in a real hurry, the fearsome, V12-powered S600 will get you to the century mark in just 4.6 seconds. However, in doing so, it will burn twice the amount of fuel required by the S400 Hybrid. That clearly doesn't sit well with many Mercedes-Benz customers, and we hear some S-Class buyers aren't too supportive, either.
An innovative battery
Electricity is stored in a lithium-ion battery that's much smaller than conventional nickel-metal units. Furthermore, said battery is mounted inside the engine bay rather than the trunk. Co-developed by Continental, SAFT and Daimler, it was one of the key points in the design of this hybrid according to Martin Hermsen, Manager, Highvoltage Energy Hybrid Management.
"The battery should not impede on passenger room since that's one of the fundamental attributes of the S-Class," he said. "In addition to not being larger than a regular H8-type battery, like the ones found in just about every automobile, this lithium-ion battery uses the cooling circuit of the climate control system to remain cool. This further reduces complexity and cluttering under the hood."
Plus, such layout allows the S400 Hybrid to offer the same cargo capacity as other S-Class models. By contrast, the Lexus LS600h boasts 35-percent less room in the trunk than a regular LS.
What about Canada?
On top of this new hybrid system, the German automaker will offer eight different powertrains worldwide with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, including a pair of diesels and six gasoline engines (6, 8 and 12 cylinders).
 |
| The dashboard benefits from a few cosmetic updates yet remains expansive and graceful. |
Of course, should you be in a real hurry, the fearsome, V12-powered S600 will get you to the century mark in just 4.6 seconds. However, in doing so, it will burn twice the amount of fuel required by the S400 Hybrid. That clearly doesn't sit well with many Mercedes-Benz customers, and we hear some S-Class buyers aren't too supportive, either.
An innovative battery
Electricity is stored in a lithium-ion battery that's much smaller than conventional nickel-metal units. Furthermore, said battery is mounted inside the engine bay rather than the trunk. Co-developed by Continental, SAFT and Daimler, it was one of the key points in the design of this hybrid according to Martin Hermsen, Manager, Highvoltage Energy Hybrid Management.
"The battery should not impede on passenger room since that's one of the fundamental attributes of the S-Class," he said. "In addition to not being larger than a regular H8-type battery, like the ones found in just about every automobile, this lithium-ion battery uses the cooling circuit of the climate control system to remain cool. This further reduces complexity and cluttering under the hood."
Plus, such layout allows the S400 Hybrid to offer the same cargo capacity as other S-Class models. By contrast, the Lexus LS600h boasts 35-percent less room in the trunk than a regular LS.
What about Canada?
On top of this new hybrid system, the German automaker will offer eight different powertrains worldwide with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, including a pair of diesels and six gasoline engines (6, 8 and 12 cylinders).
 |
| Mounted inside the engine bay, the lithium-ion battery does not impede on cargo room in the back. |