How does one keep a full size, 4,600 lb luxury sedan relevant when the next gas crunch comes? Mercedes has part of the answer for us, the S400 hybrid sedan. I tend to think they may be on the right track if you forget that the sell diesels in the EU that better the hybrids results. (I'll save that whine for another time).
The full specs and costs can be found at the Mercedes web. Short of it is this 4,600 lb luxury sedan pulls down EPA number one expects from a standard issue midsized V6, not a full boat luxury car like the S Class.
They use a mild hybrid drive, based on the system they co-developed with BMW and GM for use in rear wheel drive applications. This hybrid uses a unique set of gears and similar to SVT technology in a 7 speed automatic transmission that includes an electric motor/generator. It is a mild hybrid in that the electric motor in this application generates power to assist the gasoline engine. This sort of application allows the electric motor to work at city as well as highway speeds and yields a 26% increase in fuel economy over the S550. Contrary to the normal nomenclature over at Mercedes the S400 doesn't use 4l V8, rather it is the tried and true 3.5L V6 typically seen in the C and E classes here. The end result is a rating of 19mpg city/26highway, about the same as the smaller C300.
Mercedes, through its investment in the Tesla group gained access to their lithium ion battery technology. This enabled Mercedes to house the battery pack under the hood, instead of in the trunk area such as we see in the Camry or Fusion when they are turned into hybrids. The result is no loss of trunk space, something that the S Class could ill afford as its trunk has only 16.4cu feet.
The S400 hybrid has unique to this market a "start stop" feature that helps the car achieve its EPA city number of 19mpg. When you roll to a stop and remain stopped for more than a few seconds the engine shuts off completely. It restarts the engine as soon as you take your foot off the brake and is ready to take off as soon as you press the gas. Nice touch that is making its way into more and more cars in the EU and only a matter of time before we see it adopted here. Certainly a big plus for those of us who deal with insufferably long red lights or sit in traffic on the freeway as part of our commutes.
The S400 starts out at just a hair under 88K and is equipped with all the toys one expects standard in a premium luxury car. Hitting the options list and adding the top end goodies can yield prices in excess of $110,000.
Driving: Its what you expect from an S Class, no fuss, no muss does what its told with no stress or strain. Total isolation in the compartment from the noise and bother of the outside world. Your personal cocoon. Not a bad place to visit, one I certainly could appreciate on a daily basis. Then the reality of my meager existence hits home and I remember that there are other cars nearly as capable for a fraction of the cost. Sigh.
This hybrid application is pretty slick. With the drive accessories all electric the cycling on and off of the engine for lights etc.,. is totally unobtrusive. The A/C continues to waft conditioned and filtered air through the cabin, music plays softly just like one expects from a car with the sort of reputation Mercedes is known for in the S Class. Releasing the brake you and stepping on the gas you do feel the engine kick in. Well kick is probably a bad choice of words, you are aware from the slightest of thumps the engine is back to life and ready to serve your menial commands on the gas pedal. I liked it.
No comments:
Post a Comment