by Max
9. September 2009 11:04
Mercedes-Benz is developing a high-performance saloon capable of a combined fuel consumption of 88mpg with CO2 emissions of 74g/km but able to accelerate to 62mph in only 5.5 seconds and top 150mph.
Mercedes-Benz luxury hybrid saloon 'S400 Hybrid Long', equipped with a 3.5-litter V6 petrol engine and electric motor hybrid system Photo: GETTY IMAGES
A concept based on the current S-class will be revealed at this month's Frankfurt motor show and the company says that it plans to add the advanced technology model to the next generation S-class range in about three years.
The Vision S 500 plug-in hybrid concept can be driven for almost 20 miles in zero emission mode, powered only by its lithium-ion battery and a 44kW electric motor. Away from city centres the electric motor operates together with the car's 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, which has an advanced fuel-injection system.
The production version of the car is expected to come to the UK. Like the concept, it also incorporates Mercedes' BlueEFFICIENCY energy-saving technology. Systems include engine start-stop, low rolling resistance tyres, higher gearing and aerodynamic fine tuning.
Mercedes boss Dr. Dieter Zetsche said that the Frankfurt concept marked a new milestone on the company's path toward zero emission mobility. Dr. Thomas Weber, Research and Development director, added: "We've already got all the key technologies we need for such a dream car."
Telegraph Motoring has driven the company's S 400 Hybrid; the experimental S 500 is a significant step beyond that.
Another frugal Mercedes is the Vision E 300 BlueTEC diesel hybrid, expected to be on sale in Europe within two years. Using the 2.2-L diesel engine fitted to the current C-Class and new E-Class cars but extracting a hefty 221bhp (20bhp more than the present 250CDI version), the car also has a 15kW electric motor, allowing it to run on electric power alone.
The diesel hybrid can return almost 63mpg and CO2 emissions of 119g/km. By combining its diesel engine and electric motor, the car can provide about 440lb ft of torque - the sort of figure that larger capacity six-cylinder diesels produce.
By Stuart Birch
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