Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid
The Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid is the world’s first mass produced car with a lithium ion battery. It’s the first Mercedes with a hybrid drive. And, with a price tag just above $90,000, it’s an ultra-niche vehicle. The S400 Hybrid arrived in US showrooms in August 2009.
Its competition in the nascent luxury green vehicle market is the $90,000 BMW X6 Hybrid (although it's an SUV); the $109,000 all-electric Tesla Roadster (although it's a two-seater); the $87,000 four-door Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid (not yet out); and the $104,000 Lexus LS 600h L—a V8 hybrid averaging 21 miles to the gallon. Lexus annually sells about 1,000 units of the LS 600h L.
We achieved 29.3 miles per gallon in the Mercedes S400 Hybrid, over a 150-mile mixed driving course though Southern Germany.
The offical EPA mileage number for the Benz S400 are 19 in the city and 26 on the highway. HybridCars.com did our own mileage test of this big luxury sedan on the roads of Southern Germany. Our drive loop took us from Stuttgart—the home of Mercedes Benz—to the town of Buel and back, a round trip of approximately 150 miles. The route was evenly comprised of high-speed driving on the Autobahn—where we ran at, ahem, greater than 100 mph—as well as moderately paced rural roads, and narrow streets through smaller hamlets. We achieved an impressive 29.3 miles per gallon—not bad for a car that weighs almost 5,000 pounds. (By the way, the V6 of the S400 is plenty strong for the Autobahn.)
With much stricter speed limits in the US, it’s reasonable that fuel economy results will be even better. But saving fuel and money is not the first concern for buyers of this car. The buyer of the S400 hybrid is probably just as interested in pairing the Mercedes three-pointed star emblem with a hybrid badge, to demonstrate a combined interest in luxury, refinement, and green status. Mercedes claims that the S400 is the “CO2 champion in the luxury class,” emitting a relatively low 186 grams of carbon per kilometer.
As the hybrid version of the Benz flagship S-Class sedan, the S400 is powered by a mild hybrid system with a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine. The hybrid system allows Mercedes to maintain its high-power profile, while using a V6 instead of a V8 or V12. The electric-gas combo provides a total output of 295 horsepower, channeled through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Benz is particularly proud of what it refers to as “compact” batter technology. Engineers made this hybrid system as well-packaged and light as possible. (Mercedes-Benz was able to fit the entire pack into the same space, at the right-hand base of the windshield, that previously housed the car’s standard lead-acid 12-Volt starter battery.) The S400 weighs only about 120 pounds more than the standard S-Class.
Driving Manners
The S400 drives much smaller than it is. Cutting through the tight twisties of Germany’s Black Forest, this hybrid cornered flatly and with confidence. It is as nimble and agile as its gas-powered counterpart. Stability comes from Active Body Control, an active suspension that continually adapts the suspension tuning to the current driving situation. The S400 features Torque Vectoring Brake, as well as Crosswind Stabilization, both enhancing the sure-footedness of the car. Other high-tech advancements include a pre-collision system, adaptive high beam assist, lane keep assist, and radar-based cruise control.
The cabin of the car is as plush as the standard S-Class. It shares all the same luxury features including a new split-view driver interface, which allows the front passenger to watch a movie without distracting the driver. There’s also a “Night View Assist” feature that detects pedestrians on the road ahead. The only interior difference is the S400’s hybrid gauge showing the flow of power between engine, battery, and regenerative braking.
The S400 shares the look of the S-Class. Signs of its recent facelift include a more aero grille, revised LED lighting at the front and back, and new mirrors, tailpipes, and wheels. The Mercedes Benz S400 hybrid is a luxurious, fuel-efficient saloon with lots of driving appeal. With its steep purchase price, it’s obviously not for everyone—but it is one more option for uncompromising affluent buyers seeking a slightly greener ride.
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19 / 26 MPG 12.38 / 9.05 L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
Sedan
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TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
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BASE MSRP:
$91,000
3 years ago
Yes, diesel cars get better mileage, but didn't I read somewhere that it requires 20% more crude oil to produce diesel vs gasoline? If we compare diesel burners to gas burners, how much less diesel fuel must they burn before we break even in terms of oil consumption?
2 years ago
This is the best car i have ever seen:
-good for environnement
-do not use much fuel
-very powerful (2300 horses)
-have a very good air conditionning system
-and many others things i don't know yet
Thanks for this design
Best regards!
2 years ago
Now I like my Toyota Prius Hybrid even more!
2 years ago
An extraordinary photo gallery with S 400 Hybrid http://www.cbx.ro/galerii-foto/galerie-drive-test/mercedes-s-400-hybrid....
2 years ago
When will launch in Thailand.
How difference between with E200.
ManyThanks
2 years ago
have any dealer sell this Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid in Penang or In Malaysia ...How about price in Malaysia.
Can i become a dealar in Malaysia to sell this car...
2 years ago
I have a 2007 E-320 and it gets 29 mpg (average). Best car I have ever had. Waiting for a diesel hybrid plug-in from Mercedes and I am sure they will make one in the next few years.
2 years ago
I found a great video that explains how the Hybrid S-Class works. Here is a link to an explanation of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgf-F5gIGSA
2 years ago
This is a trick: the same amount of crude is used. Diesel is less refined than gasoline. Diesel takes less money to refine.
1 year ago
Perhaps you haven't heard of the recent problems with Toyota accelerators. Just yesterday, a man was unable to stop his Prius, furtunatly the police were able to stop him and he was unharmed. So yes, it is less expensive, but what is money in comparison to your life??!!
1 year ago
i have to purchases one piese of s 400 mercedes 2010.
please confirm me how can i do that ?
sncerliy
aqdvocat:omar naZmi alazzeh
1 year ago
I must purchase the S400. What is the price?? $$$
1 year ago
you are so right dude amazing car i agree and wait for a day when we all have better than this. coming soon
1 year ago
Only the rich can drive this car. Little Joe will be driving Toyotas and Nissans.
1 year ago
Why is vehicle so expensive? My Honda Hybrid cost $22,000!
1 year ago
You cannot even compare a Honda to a Mercedes, really now...
1 year ago
I enjoyed this brand new Merc S400 hybrid on June 2010 when just arrived at Taipei International Airport and picked by the Grand Hyatt hotel limo.
It was really a memorable moment (one hour ride to the hotel) and I just said to myself that I have to own this incredible car soon!
1 year ago
Does this car have Front fog lamp, and where is it?
1 year ago
i bought this car and it was horrible ... the driving experience sucks, for Mercedes if they can hear me : DONT MAKE HYBRIDS
1 year ago
How can u compare a Honda 2 a Mercedes...
What a geek
1 year ago
I got the black one, i order on April for 150,000.00 US Dollar
my car come to my country is second car. The first one the color is brown. i like that car, but i LOVE my BMW M5 more then anything.
1 year ago
No, you cannot compare an advanced high quality Honda with an oldfashioned medium quality Mercedes, never! R u guys serious or really that ignorant?! Light weight Toyota Prius has a 36 hp electric motor whereas this heavy stone age Merc has a tiny 20 hp! Prius has a continuously variable transmission whereas the Merc has a conventional automatic! Mercedes, like BMW, simply doesn't have the tech dick to perform a decent hybrid passenger car. This is why they have to relay on Toyota! Remember that the first Prius hybrid came 13 years ago (when the Euros couldn't even spell to hybrid), and that 9 years ago a Toyota van (Estima) was equipped with an AWD hybrid system connecetd to a continuously variable transmission that Daimler or BMW can't still produce! Wake up guys, you're an embarrasment for your girlfriends! Check my page, it was made long ago but still rules!
1 year ago
Absolutely not true. Diesel takes less refining than gasoline. It's probably the other way around, gasoline takes 20% more crude oil.
1 year ago
For the Gentleman that prefers a Toyota or a "Nissan over a Mercedes, then I say to you.."More Power to You",, if you like "shake and break cars". In 1987 I purchased brand new off of the lot, my first Japanese made engine in a Dodge Vehicle body, and it lasted 99,000 miles before the timing belt, and the 4/4 drive train went belly up. However in 1992, I purchased my first Mercedes 1976 300SL..with 250,000 miles, and vehicle repair reports, and the only parts that had been replaced were the spark plug wires, plugs, and tires. The only thing that was broken were the chrome door handles. The car's engine performed like a new engine, and the ride was as firm and as soft as a Lincoln Towne car or Lincoln continental with air bag shocks. The only non performance that the car represented was it's inability to withstand the crashing of a giant tree upon it's top,,(LOL). My second all time experience with vehicles was with a 199,4 3.3 liter ply mouth grand voyager; and I retired that vehicle in March 2010, after 360,000 miles on the body, and 225,000 miles on the first engine. I did replace the engine after 225,000 miles and later the transmission and drive axle.
The second engine was from a 1995 grand voyager, with 35,000 miles when I had it extracted from a wrecked vehicle, there by giving me 135,000 miles of service before I retired the vehicle. My former experience with ford vehicles were similar in mileage to the voyager, and Mercedes engines. To summarize this comparison of apples to apples.. with the four styles of vehicles that I am referring to, I vote Mercedes to be at the top of the list, Chrysler and Plymouth next in line, with Ford running a close third. So my question to all concerned about the Mercedes' reliability; How should I rate the Japanese engine in this scenerio? I think they are shake and break vehicles,,Myself..and the only domestic semi luxury car that comes with reliability are the European Cars, such as Mercedes, BMW,Austins Martin,The former MGB, etc, and American Traditional Vehicles..Surely you can count on Lexus, and Acura, but that is not in the class of a toyato hybrid that you are comparing the Mercedes to. Try a real car instead..Dude
1 year ago
is there is a right hand driven s class hybrid?
41 weeks ago
There will no doubt be some rich people who do not care for gas prizes, do not truly understand what it means to want to save the environment, but want to appear green. For those people, this car will do.
I must say that I am truly disappointed by Mercedes' lack of effort trying to produce less gas guzzling cars. 29 mpg can be achieved by even gasoline-only cars. Of course, I do see that a gasoline-driven car with that performance will no doubt use even more gasoline, but isn't that precisely the point? It's irresponsible to market this car in light of the circumstances we are in. Mercedes, of course, will sell this car because they can and because there will be a few people going for luxury, performance, pseudo-eco cars.
For my part, after having grown up in Germany, and waiting to buy an environmentally friendly German-made car (now that our financial situation is improving: career etc.) for years, have come to the conclusion that German car makers in general will not serve my needs.
Although it pains me, I will vote with my wallet by NOT giving my money to a German car maker, but a Japanese car maker. Their hybrid cars will in the near future produce hybrids with mpgs in the 60s to 70s which is the minimum threshold for my next car.
29 weeks ago
i'm looking forward to having it as my first-owned-dreamed car.
20 weeks ago
this is marvalous i love this, wish i can get 1 free
10 weeks ago
I have this auto and it is the best i have owned. This is my fourth Benz line. Its worth the money.
10 weeks ago
I have this auto and it is the best i have owned. This is my fourth Benz line. Its worth the money.
2 days ago
What is led thing on top of windsheild for? Pls get back to me I'm concerned I did remove and installed new ones
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