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September 10, 2009

Officially, official: Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 Plug-in hybrid brings big numbers to Frankfurt

Posted by : admin

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, Frankfurt Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz S 500 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

News of the Mercedes-Benz S 500 Hybrid has been quickly confirmed by Daimler, with the added information that this is a “near series” concept that we’ll see in Frankfurt next week. The 3.5-liter luxury PHEV will indeed get 73.5 U.S. mpg (3.2L per 100 km) and it appears this was calculated on the European cycle, so knock off a few mpg to get an estimate of what the car would be rated in the U.S. (although, with the somewhat mysterious plug-in hybrid rating system, we give up trying to really guess the number). We also know that the four-door sedan will emit just 74 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, an impressive figure. The powertrain is made up of a V6 gasoline engine and a 44 kW/60 hp electric motor that gives the S 500 Hybrid a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds.The 18-mile electric range has also been confirmed, but Daimler only defines the lithium-ion battery pack, which lives in the trunk, as being “over 10 kWh.” At least this gives us something to watch for in Frankfurt.

As to when the PHEV architecture might become available to buyers, Daimler AG Board member Thomas Weber said that, “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.” Find out more after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S 500 Hybrid