Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid to offer 94 mpg
* Plug-in S-Class to average 94mpg and 69g/km CO2 * 3.0 litre petrol V6 coupled to electric motor * Can also be charged through mains power...
A version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon that returns 94.2 mpg will go on sale in the UK late next year.
Estimated to cost around £85,000, Mercedes claims it’ll have CO2 emissions of just 69 g/km.
The S500 Plug-in Hybrid uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine working together with an electric motor. Unlike a traditional hybrid, it can also be charged with mains electricity. When fully charged, the 80kW battery allows the car to travel around 18 miles before the petrol engine kicks in.
The car uses an 'anticipatory energy management system' to increase its efficiency. Through the navigation system, it can predict imminent changes in speed limit and gradient, and use this information to decide whether to charge or take energy from the battery.
The S500 Plug-in Hybrid also features regenerative braking, and can 'sail' by disengaging and switching off the engine while moving.
By James Lewis-Barned
