Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plugin Hybrid revealed! Capable of 73.5 mpg!

According to the latest reports, it appears that Mercedes-Benz is going to present at the Frankfurt Motor Show the new Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid Concept. This new Mercedes-Benz Vision Plug-In Hybrid Concept will carry a V6 petrol engine but also a new lithium-ion battery capable to store more than 10 kWh.

With this system installed, the new sedan will be capable to be driven in full electric mode for up to 30km (18.6 miles). After the energy is consumed, the hybrid module that delivers a total output of 60 hp (44 kW), the petrol engine is activate unleashing its true power. Still, the car will be capable to hot 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds. Regarding the fuel consumption, the car will show an incredible 3.2 l/100 km (73.5 mpg) while emitting 74 grams of CO2/100km. “The Vision S 500 HYBRID is a new milestone on our path toward zero-emission mobility. It is a luxurious and safe S-Class vehicle that offers superior driving performance while at the same time consuming less fuel than current compacts.
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FanboyOfTheTruth - 9/9/2009 4:30:44 PM

+1 Boost

It actually gets infinity miles per gallon!! Woo hoo!

In the first 18.6 miles.

downtoearth - 9/9/2009 4:43:06 PM

-3 Boost

Stop complaining. Majority of car journeys are relatively short distances

Studies show some 40 miles (like in a Chevrolet Volt) embraces 80% of car usage for majority of the population. This 18.6 miles will cover less, but still, some significant share of overall mileage might be all electric. This will dramatically reduce total fuel consumption.

Let's assume such plug-in hybrid will use only half the fuel than an ordinary version. That's a huge progress, isn't it?

FanboyOfTheTruth - 9/9/2009 4:58:33 PM

+1 Boost

My point is simply that the mpg claim for a plug-in hybrid can be massaged to however high a number one pleases.

downtoearth - 9/9/2009 5:20:59 PM

+1 Boost

— FanboyOfTheTruth:

> My point is simply that the mpg claim for
> a plug-in hybrid can be massaged to however high
> a number one pleases.

Yes, but then it is not all that relevant.

What matters is that with a relatively small battery pack you can cover all relatively short commutes in all electric mode. No drop of fuel. This may reduce total fuel consumption of a given vehicle by 50-80%. That's tremendous progress considering that mpg grows terribly slowly when seen from years perspective.

993Turbo - 9/10/2009 6:34:10 AM

+2 Boost

What do you mean not a drop of fuel??? Does the electricity come down like manna from heaven??? We can barely run all the computers and air conditioners at the same time without having a brown out somewhere. When are the tree huggers going to talk about THIS inconvenient truth???

WorldofLuxury - 9/9/2009 4:41:53 PM

-2 Boost

I want a standardized form of fuel-consumption rating for all vehicles now! like... 5 mi, 20 mi, 40 mi, 100 mi round trip ratings... convenience of refueling rating... driving in a hurry rating...

All that, of course, in addition to the traditional gas fuel-consumption ratings and future special drivetrain ratings. Stats can lie, but they still provide the needed facts.

WorldofLuxury - 9/9/2009 4:45:46 PM

-4 Boost

My LS 400 gets 15mpg in the city and 30mpg on the freeways. How? Because I don't care for efficient driving when in the city, and when I'm on the freeway, I'm just bored, especially when there aren't any traffic and the cruise control is helping me set a steady pace, at a relatively "high" speed of course.

Willis - 9/9/2009 8:12:02 PM

+1 Boost

30 km is completely useful for city driving, which rarely exceeds 30 km. Let's just hope that this plugin hybrid from MB won't overheat like the LS600h did when it was being driven in electric mode.

downtoearth - 9/9/2009 8:24:21 PM

+3 Boost

— huu76:

> No real environmental impact, instead of burning gasoline,
> they'll be burning coal to produce electricity.

It's not that bad.

- Few countries use coal mostly. Some use clean generation only. USA electicity generation is less than 50% from coal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sources_of_electricity_in_the_USA_2006.png
- you shift emissions from densely populated areas to power plants surroundings, much less people impacted
- much less oil import, better account balance
- peak coal will be far more in the future than peak oil
- much better engine setup, more chances for the engine to work within peak efficiency areas (brake specific fuel consumption is meant)

... and many more

993Turbo - 9/10/2009 6:35:29 AM

0 Boost

Yes, give me a call when that new nuclear reactor goes on line. What a joke.

ChevyFan100 - 9/9/2009 7:26:48 PM

-1 Boost

Mercedes-Benz can't make a plug-in hybrid with better fuel economy than Chevrolet.

veyron1001 - 9/10/2009 8:52:31 AM

+2 Boost

You mean Cadillac or or or do you mean Pontiac. Sorry since the 3 companies make the same car I get confused some times on which car is which.

Willis - 9/10/2009 7:29:53 AM

+1 Boost

When you're driving to work and are still in rural areas where stop-and-go-traffic isn't present then driving with the fuel-burning engine shouldn't be an issue. Once you reach the urban areas and traffic increases switching over to electric power (with a range of 30 km) seems like the decent thing to do. Don't you agree?

John_Stossel - 9/10/2009 3:22:52 AM

+2 Boost

I'm fine with the technology. What I am not fine with is the debut of the technology on the most-expensive car in the Mercedes line-up. Make a C-Class plugin hybrid first.