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High Class hybrid. Image by Mercedes-Benz.

High Class hybrid
The S-Class S 400 Hybrid might not be coming to the UK, but does pave the way for Mercedes' cleaner, greener future.

   



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| First Drive | Stuttgart, Germany | Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid |

A hybrid S-Class might make little sense in the UK, where the S 320 CDI does a very decent job of wafting you about on a cloud of relative environmental friendliness, but not every market is receptive to diesels. Specifically America, which is why this S 400 Hybrid exists. It's also a stepping stone to the ultimate hybrid combination, that being electrically assisted diesel engines. So you might not be able to buy this model here, but it's certainly not without interest, as Mercedes' route to green mobility is a wide and varied one.

In the Metal

Aside from the Hybrid badges on the boot lid there's absolutely nothing externally to highlight that this S-Class has some sparky underpinnings. A big, handsome machine - which was recently refreshed in about the most subtle facelift we've ever seen - the S-Class does gravitas and graceful very well indeed. Choose your S-Class's hue carefully and you'll have one of the most desirable luxury cars money can buy.

What you get for your Money

If you're a total hybrid nut then there's nothing to stop you buying one in from Europe, but forget about ordering it in right-hand drive, as the hybrid unit's packaging won't allow a conversion to allow you to sit on the right hand side. Working with the hybrid hardware is a V6 petrol engine, giving a combined output of 295bhp. You'll have to drop €71,700 (about £61,000 or so) if you're sold on the idea of one, which is around €10,000 more than its S 350 relative. Mercedes claims that the price difference isn't so wide when you consider the Hybrid's greater specification levels. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management, Daimler, heralds the S 400 Hybrid as: "the CO2 champion of the luxury class." That's more than mere posturing, the S 400 Hybrid's official CO2 figure of 186g/km unbeaten among its rivals.

Driving it

Given that hybrids have only been around in production form for a relatively short time the integration of batteries and electric motors into the drivetrain of the S-Class is very impressive indeed. You could drive this car all day long and not realise that you've got volts as well as petrol helping you on your way. The transmission is super smooth and there's no obvious point where the hybrid module is operating. Pull up at the lights - or outside a five-star hotel - and the engine cuts out to save as much fuel as possible. As a result of this, and the hybrid assistance, the S 400 Hybrid returns an impressive 35.8mpg, all while having the capability to sprint to 62mph in 7.2 seconds. That's better economy and performance than the S 320 CDI turbodiesel manages.

To drive, the Hybrid feels no different to its S-Class siblings. Which means it's big and comfortable and feels beautifully composed on all but the most twisty and narrow roads. On the autobahn it'll easily reach the get-out-of-my-way speeds an S-Class should, cruising quietly well into three figures. Forget exciting dynamics though, as Mercedes offers that elsewhere in the S-Class range combined with AMG; the S 400 Hybrid does comfort and refinement rather than tyre-squealing back-road ability.

The steering is light, direct and devoid of feel, the brakes too needing a greater show than you initially expect to slow down the big S. The throttle is lazy too, so you need to plan escapes from side roads a touch more than you would in conventional S-Class models. Relatively insignificant differences then, which you quickly adapt to - and worth it for the S 400 Hybrid's impressive environmental credentials.

Worth Noting

At the drive of the S 400, Dr Weber suggested that a plug-in hybrid S-Class with a diesel powertrain mated to an electric drivetrain would have the potential to achieve fuel consumption figures of over 70mpg on the combined consumption cycle. That's perhaps some way off in production guise, but you can be sure there are a few development cars out there achieving such incredible consumption figures.

Summary

The new Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid may not be coming to the UK, but its introduction in markets where diesel isn't commonplace gives luxury car buyers a credible environmentally conscious car without compromises and it's a pointer to the future of Mercedes' luxury cars' technology.

Kyle Fortune - 30 Jul 2009



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2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by United Pictures.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by United Pictures.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by United Pictures.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.



2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2009 Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 






 

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