Mercedes-Benz
The plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a luxury sedan with green features not found in similar vehicles on the market.
Here are five ways the S-Class does green differently.
1. It's the latest in a long line of firsts.
In 1982, Mercedes-Benz presented the first concept vehicle to be equipped with a hybrid drive. A small, horizontally opposed two-cylinder engine served to charge the battery. And the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 was widely recognized as the most fuel-efficient sedan in years. Clearly, Mercedes-Benz knows how to produce cutting-edge cars that are leading the industry in efficiency and luxury.
2. It's fast and green.
A common myth of hybrid vehicles is that they aren't fun to drive, and they're best for "hyper milers" who want maximum range on minimum fuel but don't mind a boring driving experience. The S-Class Plug-In Hybrid has the power and performance of a V8, yet achieves the fuel economy of a compact sedan. It has a biturbo V6 engine that works in combination with its electric motor. This is a format similar to the one found in the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1, which is also powered by a turbocharged V6 in combination with a hybrid drive. The S-Class version offers a system output of 436 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque and can reach 62 mph in 5.2 seconds.
3. Even the transmission is a hybrid.
The use of hybrid technology isn't limited to the power plant in the S-Class. The seven-speed automatic transmission is also a hybrid, utilizing both a torque converter and a clutch. Though the torque converter handles the job of transmitting power from the gasoline engine through the transmission, the clutch - which is also inside the torque converter housing - engages and disengages the electric motor from the transmission. This ensures that the electric motor is being used only when it's needed.
4. It lets the driver choose.
Another unique feature of the S-Class Plug-In Hybrid is its ability to let drivers choose how they're going to allocate resources. A transmission-mode switch, found on the center console of the car, lets drivers select from four driving modes: Hybrid, E-Mode, E-Save, and Charge. Hybrid Mode allows drivers to work the internal combustion engine and electric motor working in tandem. E-Mode lets the driver use the electric motor alone. E-Save means drivers completely disengage the electric motor and allow it to charge. Drivers can then conserve battery power for use in the city, where an internal combustion engine is least efficient.
5. It can think for itself.
If the driver of an S-Class Plug-In Hybrid hasn't entered a destination into the navigation system, the S-Class will use radar to determine the best use of the hybrid drive. Its ability to monitor the traffic around it - as well as the grade and downgrades of the landscape - allows the car to choose when it needs to supplement power with the electric motor, charge the battery, or run only on the electric power. This means the S-Class can maximize range and efficiency on its own. Gentle reminders about when to let off the throttle and transfer power back to the batteries are sent to the drive via pulses through the gas pedal.
Internal combustion engines have certain areas where they are less efficient, such as when they are cold, during stop-and-go driving, or under aggressive acceleration. The electric motor on the S-Class Plug-In Hybrid supplements the internal combustion engine when it's less efficient. It can also completely propel the car when maximum efficiency is desired.
V8 performance and the luxury of an S-Class all wrapped in one "green" package are the hallmarks of the new Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid. This makes it an intriguing choice for drivers who want luxury, performance, and efficiency - all in one car.
-Written by Matthew Davis
This post is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.
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