Vehicles

2016 Mercedes S500 Plug In Hybrid Specs And Price Review - The actual Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid offers something intended for nothing – the theory is that. As well because latest addition towards S-class range, it looks like a no-brainer for the actual chauffeurs and fleet drivers define the majority of the car’s customer base. The list price in the car may possibly be £90k, but on this car saving your typical 40 percent BIK-rated company auto driver just over £300 each month compared with the actual S300 Bluetec Hybrid, the S500 Plug-in Hybrid breaks down to level on price using the cheapest-to-run diesel monthly – and tremendously cheaper if however you live in Liverpool and regularly pay the congestion charge.

It’s powered by way of a 328bhp twin-turbo 3. 0-litre V6 petrol engine in tandem with some sort of 114bhp electric electric motor. The former will come as a discouragement to Merc’s standard customer if they’re planning on the S500 banner to grace some sort of V8-powered limousine the way it always has just before.

But they won’t have got much to moan about whenever they learn of the actual S500’s vitals. The 443bhp combined output is really as much power seeing that any non-AMG-branded V8 may provide, while the actual hybrid system’s 479lb toes of torque – offered from just 1600rpm – will be considerably greater.

The brand new S500 has a good 8. 7kWh lithium ion battery that could be charged via some sort of seven-pin Mennekes-style cable or from the three-pin domestic electric outlet, the latter having five hours coming from flat. It weighs 180kg a lot more than the Bluetec Hybrid, but it’s however 2. 6sec quicker to accelerate coming from rest to 62mph, and possesses an electric-only range of 18 miles.

The facts like?

The market is completing with plug-in hybrids that make many sense on cardstock but whose lure slowly erodes as you know more about their real-world capabilities. The S500 is not among those cars. It’s as driveable and user friendly as any S-class inside the range, but more enhanced and impressively cost-effective within its comfort zone.

Once the battery’s flat, in normal mixed-road commuter utilize, it’ll return all-around 30-to-the-gallon. Most owners are anticipated to tackle shorter trips as well as a greater proportion regarding city roads compared to that usage pattern contains, and our test route shows that doing so could add 50 percent fot it real-world return.

The car’s four drive modes let it juggle electric and also petrol power within ‘hybrid’ mode, to run exclusively on power supply, to maintain the existing battery charge stage in ‘Save’ manner, or to come back the battery in order to full charge by means of the combustion serp in ‘Charge’.

The actual controls are gentle and undemanding, just like they are in any S-class – meant to be easy in order to modulate for unerringly sleek progress. The inconsistent your pedal response of Mercedes’ lesser hybrids could not do for a good S-class, but that one doesn’t suffer from it. There’s pleasing progressiveness towards initial brake your pedal travel, and whilst you can just regarding hear the gasoline engine starting and stopping while you vary your accelerator inputs, the engine response is usually predictable.

Having almost 500lb ft available thus far below 2000rpm creates a telling contribution to flexibility. You can create supremely laid-back progress in this car without dawdling as well as holding anyone upwards, simply because everything that torque means that you can slip away coming from standing so very easily.

Refinement in the vehicle is genuinely exceptional. If anything, the lack of combustion noise just provides you with a greater sense of awe around the cabin’s suppression regarding road and the wind noise, barely a sound of air as well as rumble of tyres being allowed to disturb the onboard calm. The car’s trip is pillow-soft and also quiet, taking the actual edge off the two gentle and well-defined intrusions brilliantly.

The S500’s luxurious bubble is usually burst if people hurry it – not that you simply ever feel remotely keen to. This car’s dynamic brief is around as single-minded because they come: be secure. It’s wonderful when you drive it using the dignified restraint you’d need to keep a knight in the realm in the spine seat from looking up from his apple company ipad. Body control gets imprecise, and the steering a little vague, if you attempt to hustle it too rapidly.

Should I purchase one?

On the evidence of a fairly short try out, and assuming you’re a company car tax payer as well as a city dweller, definitely yes.

Expect further coverage as well as a more detailed verdict before to much time. But on face than it, this could be the definitive version regarding what, for many, is the world’s defined luxury car.

Apparently uncompromised they are driving and to utilize, it will offer peerless luxury, fine urban economy and remarkable relative value to your good proportion regarding heartland S-class consumers who’ve been ill-served by simply noisy diesels and also thirsty petrols for many years.

The S500 Plug-in Hybrid doesn’t render other versions in the car any a lesser amount of important, and you will discover limousines with an even more balanced blend regarding dynamic talents intended for owner-drivers. But it’s a superb example of electrical powertrain technology smartly applied and extensively executed.

Removing the petrol engine from your Mercedes-Benz S-Class equation leaves you with a tremendous amount of nothing.

In the event the Mercedes-Benz S500 plug-in hybrid car limousine arrives on our shores later next year (matching the actual $285, 000 pricetag in the S500 petrol-only V8) one of many quietest cars on the globe will become much more hush.

It could be the premium German brand’s primary production model sold locally that could be plugged into some sort of powerpoint and run solely around the silken whirr regarding electricity; that is provided you keep a light right foot.

The S500 doesn’t prioritise electric running comparable to a Holden Volt, as an example, which uses merely its battery-powered electric motor until it runs low on energy then uses the actual supporting petrol serp to recharge it.

Rather the Mercedes-Benz solution – just like the Porsche Panamera e-hybrid and in some cases the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – is always to prioritise electric operating where possible, but utilize supporting petrol engine like a performance booster.

With regard to worse or superior, if you place your foot down slightly inside the S500 on some sort of hill the 3. 0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine will stop into life.

Even worse, because it damages the silence and also affects ultimate economy.

Better, because when you flatten the accelerator it feels that you’ll achieve the actual 5. 2 next 0-100km/h claim, using the many combined 325kW regarding power and 650Nm regarding torque – some sort of not-so-direct equation regarding adding the petrol’s 245kW/480Nm using the electric motor’s 85kW/340Nm.

It requires just two several hours to fill the actual S500’s 8. 7kWh battery pack via a quickly charge station, but you can also use a typical household power socket in case you have double the time for it to wait.

For that you get a claimed 33km regarding driving range in which helps this huge Benz hybrid achieve utilization of just 2. 8 litres every 100 kilometres around the lab-tested combined period.

The interior in the S500 plug-in hybrid is strictly like every fresh Mercedes-Benz S-Class – stunning, detailed, sumptuous – so we’ll focus on the few differences of this frugal new design.

There’s an E-Drive gauge beneath the left side in the regular tachometer indicating just how much throttle you must give before the actual petrol engine will trigger. When the azure bar graph fills towards brim, then the tacho needle will flutter your and take the actual baton.

On the opposite side of the actual tacho there’s some sort of Charge bar graph that notifys you how much regenerative power the batteries tend to be chewing on as soon as you’re coasting as well as braking.

Four modes can be bought in the main technique – Hybrid, E-Mode, E-Save and also Charge. Hybrid is essentially a default manner; E-Mode prioritises electrical running though definitely not exclusively; E-Save allows you to store battery convenience of city running, as an example; and Charge makes use of the petrol serp to recharge the actual batteries.

While legroom and also seat comfort will be capacious as ever inside the S-Class, the similar can’t be claimed for boot room, which due to installing the batteries falls to 395 litres – just 15L greater Volkswagen Golf. There’s likewise no split-fold backed seat, though Mercedes-Benz demands the S500 plug-in hybrid car can fit an individual golf bag within.

Mercedes-Benz also says this is actually the no-compromise plug-in hybrid car, but in a global of increasingly numerous eco-conscious offerings it’s worth noting that a good Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at one-fifth in the price claims 52km regarding driving range along with no impact on boot space.

Japan SUV certainly doesn’t hold the performance of the actual S500 plug-in hybrid car, but nor is there the pricetag.

Stepping out of the peak hour traffic on the international launch with Stuttgart, Germany, the actual S500 plug-in hybrid car purrs along on effortless, silent torque. Initial impressions are that it 2215kg limousine doesn’t feel as responsive because 2015kg 5. 5-litre twin-turbo gasoline V8 model that wears the same S500 badging and also pricing, and claims some sort of half-second quicker time for it to the 100km/h standard.

It’s not merely the outright speed that suffers, however in the seven-speed computerized transmission’s normal manner there’s delayed reaction to a quick prod in the throttle when overpowering – probably since the petrol engine first must fire.

The sound the actual V6 makes is additionally more strained and thrashy in comparison with the creamy, burly smoothness in the engine with a couple extra cylinders, though that’s a price to pay for using less compared to a third of energy (the V8 boasts 9. 2L/100km; the actual hybrid just only two. 8L).

But the hybrid car system switches effortlessly between petrol and also electric power moving home, and will preserve enough juice inside the cells of the batteries to help keep the electric electric motor boosting the overall performance.

The sat-nav even can function out the best way to handle an future gradient, and a ‘haptic’ operate pulses the accelerator pedal twice in the event the system detects it may coast and get well energy – wise, but very unnerving. Similarly, the click around the accelerator pedal while you switch from electrical to petrol power is strange.

After 32 kilometres and 54 minutes of driving time at an average of 35km/h, the S500 plug-in hybrid has gone out of electric assortment. While that appears like we’ve achieved the actual claim, the petrol serp also came within by enough to make use of 1. 1 litres regarding petrol over that time as well (or 3. 4L/100km).

In the event the power you’ve gained from the powerpoint is away, the car will be left to its very own devices to both capture energy from your brakes or utilize petrol engine like a generator. It also marks the point where consumption rises forcefully.

Outside of the town, after 84km and one hour 44 minutes driving time in a lifted 44km/h typical, the S500 plug-in hybrid car has slurped 7. 0L/100km. That, again, is amazing, however continue traveling and consumption continues to rise as the actual electric driving percentage of the total operating becomes smaller.

As less focus is positioned on the electrical driving, the S500 plug-in hybrid drives just like the less impressive twin in the petrol-only S500.

For that executive who needs (his chauffeur) in order to string corners together quickly between the expressways the S500 plug-in hybrid appears to be more reliant around the grip levels regarding its excellent 18-inch Michelin Preliminary Sport 2 tyres versus lighter V8.

The actual steering remains pleasingly light and incisive, even so, the ride will be supremely plush in Comfort and only slightly firmer within Sport, and then there’s the actual tranquility – this kind of Mercedes-Benz is sound quiet at swiftness and eerily silent in the event the petrol engine will be off.

The a higher level technology available around the S-Class remains exceptional, though some than it will likely still come in a cost.

Seen around the 12. 3-inch TFT display, the Mercedes-Benz NTG5 Comand system permits having access to the internet, apps for remote connection in the air conditioning as an example, and Google Earth/Street See. In the S500, there’s likewise 250Gb of hard drive, WLAN, digital r / c and TV, an Sdcard reader, two USB ports and of course Bluetooth.

Protecting those assets (and its residents and others) are a 360-degree camera, blind-spot guidance, adaptive cruise manage, drowsiness detections, full LED light with auto high-beam as well as a system dubbed Pre-Safe – which usually recognises pedestrians as well as other objects and will brake the vehicle if the driver ceases to.

Placing aside the economy benefits of the S500 plug-in hybrid car, the petrol V8-engined S500 will be the better drive. However it’s challenging to simply location aside this model’s believed economy that totals only a third of the more common model’s when the performance is really similar.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is really as synonymous with state-of-the-art luxurious and safety features the way it is with state club prestige. Mercedes has used its flagship car to pioneer many modern technologies, like airbags, antilock brakes and also stability control. Yet because brands largest car, the S-Class has additionally offered the nearly all room for rear-seat guests, making it a favorite of wealthy single dads and heads regarding state alike.

The current Mercedes-Benz S-Class proceeds that tradition proven by its many innovative forbears and remains one of the most desirable choices for any flagship luxury car. Besides its riches of features, first-rate interior and bulletproof structure, the S-Class also is different with an unmatched amount of engine and design choices. From the diesel-powered S350 featuring a epic range and also commendable fuel economy towards flagship S65 AMG featuring a twin-turbo V12 and also intense performance, there exists a little something for everyone in this substantial price bracket.

Recent Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be distinguished by aggressive fender flares as well as a stately profile thats emphasized by way of a rising character brand. The cabin will be elegant, with a minor number of buttons on account of the multifunction COMAND controller mounted between the seats.

There are six to eight trim levels that correspond to engine choice. The range starts with a couple fuel-efficient options. The S350 Bluetec carries a diesel-powered V6 best for 240 horsepower and also 25 mpg blended. The S400 Hybrid includes a small electric electric motor that aids the gasoline-powered V6 towards tune of 295 overall hp. Fuel economy is strong for any full-size luxury car at 22 mpg blended, but thats obviously worse versus slightly quicker and also cheaper S350.

For the more traditional S-Class knowledge, the S550 will be the bread-and-butter model in which produces 429 h . p . from its twin-turbo V8. Next up will be the S600 and the 510-hp twin-turbo V12. Lastly, there are the actual high-performance, range-topping AMG designs. The S63 AMG (536-hp twin-turbo V8) and also S65 AMG (621-hp twin-turbo V12) acquire AMG-specific suspension, guiding, brakes and hair styling elements. All S-Class models are equipped with an automatic indication (seven speeds in every but the V12 versions, which have some sort of five-speed unit) and also rear-wheel drive. The S550 is usually had with "4Matic" all-wheel travel.

We could list the number of standard and available features around the S-Class, but we may be here throughout the day. In short, if there exists a feature you can think of, you can probably obtain it on Benzs flagship. Individuals who intend to frequently take with you passengers should pay special attention to the wealth regarding backseat comfort and entertainment options available.

In reviews, weve found that this Mercedes-Benz S-Class is always a regal car in spite of which numbers brand its trunk cover. If you wish fuel economy from your high-luxury sedan, the actual S350 delivers, as the V8 and V12 models enable you to get swifter 0-60-mph situations. The S-Class will not handle as crisply as other sorts of competing flagships, but it features a luxurious cabin as well as a balance of competent handling as well as a serene ride that is second to none. In total, the S-Class could be priced higher compared to its competitors, however its superior design, engineering and attention to detail should allow it to become worth the more dough.

Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class Products

The current, fifth-generation S-Class debuted within 2007. Not much has changed with regard to design or features, but Mercedes has altered the serp lineup considerably. Until 2010, only the actual V8- and V12-powered designs were available. The S400 Hybrid debuted in 2010, while the S350 Bluetec dawned intended for 2012. The S550s V8 ended up being different in prior years also; from 2007-11 it turned out a 5. 5-liter V8 best for 382 hp. From 2007-10, the S63 AMG featured a 6. 2-liter by natural means aspirated V8 in which produced 518 h . p .. Earlier S65s likewise had "only" 604 race horses.

The fourth generation in the S-Class ran coming from 2000-06 and ended up being lighter and sleeker versus massive version in which preceded it. A couple of versions were made available initially, both V8s: the S430 (275 hp) along with the S500 (302 hp). The V12-powered S600 (362 hp) debuted per year later, as does the AMG edition, the S55 (354 hp). The midcycle refresh within 2003 brought delicately revised light groupings, the availability regarding all-wheel drive (called 4Matic) as well as a big boost in power with the S55 and S600 (both performing at 493 hp). A seven-speed automatic came on line in 04. Hitting both ends in the spectrum for 2006, the S350 cut back six-cylinder power (241 hp) as the S65 AMG offered a minimum of 604 hp.

This model was well liked and pretty extreme depreciation means they may be actually quite reasonably priced. In reviews of the time, our editors were impressed because of the cars spacious interior and state-of-the-art basic safety features. Downsides to the generation included a complicated control interface (the COMAND system) and several interior materials in which seemed too lacking in quality for Mercedes flagship.

Working from 1992-99, the 3rd generation of the actual Mercedes-Benz S-Class represented a large step in the actual ultra-luxury direction. Fitted with dual-pane windows along with the availability of V12 power for the first time, this S-Class obtained nearly 600 pounds compared to the previous car. Four trims were made available, ranging from the actual S320 (228-hp inline-6) and also S420 (275-hp V8) towards S500 (315-hp V8) and also S600 (389-hp V12). Should you be considering the purchase of one of them, be forewarned in which (as with virtually any complex, high-end luxurious vehicle) a clear Carfax report and also an impeccable preservation record are musts.

The S-Class cars in the second generation (1981-91) had been offered in turbodiesel (300SD, 350SD/SDL), inline-6 (300SE/SEL) and also V8 (380 SE/SEL, 420 SEL, 560 SEL) versions. This is the actual generation that presented cutting-edge safety technology like airbags and antilock brakes seeing that standard equipment. Probably the least desirable in the lot are the actual 380 series, which made merely 155 hp and were prone to timing chain disappointments. Chances are good that if you realise a used 380-series, it has been retrofitted using a double timing cycle. Diesel versions are recognized for their incredible longevity and it is not unusual to uncover an example with mileage approaching more than two hundred, 000 or a lot more on its initial powertrain.

Price £87,965; 0-62mph 5.2sec;
 Top speed 155mph (limited);
 Economy 100.9mpg (combined);
 CO2 65g/km; 
Kerb weight 2215kg;
 Engine V6, 2996cc, twin-turbo, petrol, plus electric motor;
 Power 443bhp at 5250-6000rpm;
 Torque 479lb ft at 1600-4000rpm;
 Gearbox 7-spd automatic