Mercedes-Benz is preparing for the launch of the third generation of the new S 560 e plug-in hybrid sedan.
The modified components and the intelligent powertrain management in S 560 e new anticipatory functions give the customer enhanced electric performance and added convenience thanks to faster charging times.
In the luxury sedan – available exclusively with a long wheelbase – the efficiency of the 9G-TRONIC plug-in-hybrid transmission and a new lithium-ion battery are good for an all-electric range of around 50 kilometers or about 30 miles.
The hybrid drive system in the S 560 e combines the 367 horsepower of the V6 gasoline engine with the 122 horsepower of EQ Power to deliver a maximum system output of up to 489 hp. Prices start at $110,000.
Officials from Mercedes-Benz said plug-in hybrids are a key technology on the road to a locally emission-free future for the automobile as they offer customers the benefits of two worlds since in town they run in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the range of the combustion engine.
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Plug-in hybrids make the vehicle more efficient overall because they can recover energy and secondly allow the combustion engine to run in favorable operating ranges.
The hybrid drive system’s lithium-ion battery stores a lot more energy, giving it an all-electric range of around 30 miles. The highly efficient battery system in the S-Class comes, for the first time, from the wholly owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive. The DC/DC converter previously housed separately in the luggage compartment is now installed in the power electronics housing.
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In addition, despite a 50% energy increase, the dimensions of the new battery are smaller than those of its predecessor.
The battery can be charged from 10% to 100% in approximately 1.5 hours at a Wallbox (Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new generation of these, too) if the full power is used. The same is possible in around five hours even at a conventional domestic power socket.
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The four operating modes of the hybrid powertrain management and the five driving programs selectable by the driver control the interaction of the technology, meaning that the driver always has the final decision regarding whether to use the dynamic combination of engine and electric motor or opt for the luxury saloon’s supremely efficient mode.
