2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-door sedan
Powerplant: 3.5L V6 w/electric motor
Power (net): 295 hp, 284 lb-ft torque
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
MPG: 19 city/26 hwy
2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is also the company’s first hybrid of any type to make it into showrooms. For 2010, the entire S-Class lineup has been given a very minor refresh that includes a new grille, headlight clusters with flavor-of-the-day LED running lights, and new front and rear bumpers. The S400 shares in all of those updates and, aside from a couple of hybrid badges outside and in, the land yacht is indistinguishable from its S-Class brethren, unless you look under the hood. Even then, it's tough to tell the difference.
The powertrain in the S400 is comprised of a 3.5 liter V6 engine, a 7-speed automatic transmission, and a small electric motor mounted between them. The hybrid battery itself is no larger than the 12-volt lead-acid type used to start conventional S-Class sedans, and fits into the same space in the engine bay where one of those is normally found.
The hybrid system in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is mild, which means it never operates in electric-only mode the way the one in the Toyota Prius does. Instead, the 20 horsepower electric motor assists the internal combustion engine under acceleration, and allows it to shut off whenever the vehicle comes to a rest and instantly restart when the driver steps on the erstwhile 'gas' pedal. The design trades maximum fuel efficiency for simplicity and lower cost, battery not included.
The primary reason we haven't seen a hybrid with a lithium ion pack before is expense, so it's maybe not a surprise that the first one comes in a car with a price tag of $87,950, excluding a $1,150 green tax credit. Mercedes-Benz is hush hush on how much of that money goes towards the battery, but outside estimates range from $8,000 on up. The automaker is likely keeping the number under wraps in the hope that by the time the government mandated 8-10 year/100,000-150,000 warranty runs out, the replacement cost will be down to more palatable levels.Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
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