The S-Class has shown the way once again: The first model in which all of the components of the current plug-in-hybrid generation made their debut was the S 560 e (combined fuel consumption 2.6-2.5 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 59-57 g/km, combined electrical consumption 20.2-20.0 kWh/100 km)¹. The modified components and the intelligent powertrain management's new anticipatory functions give the customer enhanced electric performance and, last but not least, added convenience thanks to faster charging times. The efficiency of the 9G-TRONIC plug-in-hybrid transmission and a new lithium-ion battery in the luxury saloon are good for an all-electric range of around 50 kilometres. The hybrid drive system in the S 560 e combines the 270 kW (367 hp) of the V6 petrol engine with 90 kW of EQ Power to deliver a maximum system output of up to 350 kW.. The vehicle launch starts this month.

Mercedes-Benz's first hybrid generation made its debut in the S-Class S 400 Hybrid in 2009 with a 15 kW electric motor directly on the combustion engine without a separating clutch. This meant that the electric motor could recover energy during braking and boost acceleration, but it couldn't power the car by itself. In the second generation, the electric motor was at the transmission input and could run independently of the combustion engine (petrol or diesel).

The first plug-in hybrid system from Mercedes-Benz came out in 2014 in the shape of the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid. The available installation space was used to house a capacity of 8.7 kWh for an electric range of 33 km in the NEDC. The output of the electric drive was increased to 85 kW/340 Nm, which, in combination with the 245 kW six-cylinder petrol engine, made for a performance on a par with that of an eight-cylinder model.

The hybrid drive system in the S 560 e combines the 270 kW (367 hp) of the V6 petrol engine with an electric output of 90 kW. What's more, its lithium-ion battery stores a lot more energy, giving it an all-electric range of around 50 kilometres. The new cell chemistry with lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC) makes for a cell capacity of 37 Ah (previously 22 Ah). 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. Despite an increase of around 50 percent in its energy content, the dimensions of the new battery are smaller than those of its predecessor.

Thanks to a water-cooled on-board charger with a capacity of 7.4 kW, the battery can be charged from 10 to 100 percent SoC (State of Charge) in approx. 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.

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. In the case of the latter, the management system activates the combustion engine as little as possible and also ensures optimum distribution of the battery charge for the current route. To this end, the ECO Assist uses the data from all the driving assistance systems, including the navigation system, and indicates to the driver when it is best to come off the accelerator, both on the display and by means of the resistance point on the accelerator pedal.

The reward is many miles driven without the combustion engine, which means all the more opportunity to enjoy the unique comfort of the S-Class.

Technical data at a glance: 

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¹ The stated figures were determined in accordance with the prescribed measuring method. These are the "NEDC CO₂ figures" according to Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures.