Currently reading: Mercedes-Benz S500 plug-in hybrid to go on sale for £87,965

First deliveries of the S500 plug-in hybrid, claimed capable of averaging over 100mpg, scheduled for November

The Mercedes-Benz S500 plug-in hybrid will go on sale in the UK for £87,965.

Mercedes says the plug-in S500 can travel around 20 miles on electric power alone, as well as returning a combined 100.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 65g/km. The 0-62mph sprint is completed in 5.2 seconds, and the saloon has a claimed top speed of 155mph.

The third hybrid model in the new Mercedes S-class line-up; the S500 plug-in hybrid joins the existing S300 BlueTec hybrid and S400 hybrid models.

At the heart of the plush four-door is Mercedes-Benz’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 direct injection petrol engine. The 90-degree unit, already fitted to a range of recent models including the new CLS400, kicks out 328bhp and 351lb ft.

The petrol engine is supported by a disc shaped electric motor mounted within the forward section of the S500 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard seven-speed automatic gearbox. The brushless motor delivers 114bhp and 251lb ft of torque.

The electric motor draws its power from an 8.7kW/h lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor of the boot, which is reduced by 135 litres in capacity from a standard 530 litres to 395 litres. The recharge time from a standard public charging point is put at two hours.

Altogether the petrol engine and electric motor provide Mercedes-Benz’s latest hybrid model with a combined system output of 436bhp and 479lb ft of torque.

By comparison, the S500 saloon’s twin-turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine produces 449bhp and 516lb ft of torque.

The existing S400 hybrid, which uses a mild hybrid set-up that combines a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 direct injection petrol engine and an electric motor, boasts a combined system output of 302bhp and 273lb ft.

The electric motor, battery and associated power electronics of the S500 plug-in hybrid add 200kg to the kerb weight of the new car, taking it to 2140kg.

The hybrid system operates in four different modes: hybrid, e-mode, e-save and charge, allowing the driver to choose between petrol-electric or pure electric running when there is sufficient battery charge.  

A further innovation is a so-called haptic accelerator pedal, which vibrates to prompt the driver to slow down for added efficiency.

In e-mode, the new Mercedes-Benz is claimed to possess a zero-emissions range of 20.5 miles. This will be extended in selected countries, including China, through the use of a larger capacity battery to meet various regulations, according to Joachim Schommers, head of engine development.

The S500 plug-in hybrid is based on Mercedes' AMG Line specification, and thus comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG front and rear bumpers, LED lighting, Mercedes' COMAND infotainment system and leather upholstery.

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Following its debut in the S500 plug-in hybrid, Mercedes-Benz’s latest petrol-electric hybrid system is planned to make its way into new GL500 plug-in hybrid and ML500 plug-in hybrid models in 2015.

The S500 plug-in hybrid will make its public debut at the Paris motor show next month. The first UK deliveries are scheduled for November.

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JOHN T SHEA 10 September 2014

NICE, BUT NO TOWING ALLOWED.

Same price as V8 S500L so. LED lighting, Command, and leather are standard on all S-Class models, not just the AMG line. No 4Matic or towbar is available for this S500L PHEV for some reason, though the ML500 PHEV & GL500 PHEV will presumably have both. Incidentally, I wonder why so many commenters are so angry at other commenters' make and model preferences.
kamlottis 9 September 2014

conscientious opulence

That this marque commands the grand luxury echelon as the undisputed top dog, is not in any doubt at all! And now, with a thought about the environment taken seriously (and not just the oscar red carpet drop bys) by luxury maker at this level, is not something to frown about for sure.

This is real pragmatic tree hugging........at its most opulent.

Moparman 9 September 2014

Utterly pointless

Who would spend that kind of money on a car this big with only a 20-mile electric range? If you want to be all green and have more money than sense you would get a Tesla Model S. If you are really worried about taxes, fuel, et cetera you need to buy a car that you can afford to run.