The first three pointed Plug in, that will be the S550 PHEV.

Efficiency = Performance

The new Mercedes-Benz S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID blends an ultramodern hybrid drive configuration with the unique innovations and the luxurious equipment and appointments of the S-Class. The luxury sedan impresses with exceptional dynamism and efficiency. Thanks to standard pre-entry climate control it also offers unique climate comfort. The first certified three-liter luxury sedan in the world is a further milestone on the road to emission-free mobility.

"The S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID is the first luxury sedan with the performance of a V8 and the fuel consumption of a compact model. The greatest challenge in this is to translate efficiency into superior performance. In this respect there is a highly interesting parallel with our successful Formula 1 racing car, which likewise has a turbocharged V6 engine and a high-tech hybrid drive," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

"The new S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID offers our customers the entire range of innovations that make our new S-Class so successful, and thanks to its intelligent operating strategy ensures outstanding driving pleasure and dynamism combined with the highest efficiency. Moreover, it allows completely emission-free driving for up to 20 miles," adds Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The Mercedes-Benz S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID offers a system output of 436 hp and 479 lb-ft torque, sprints from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds and can drive up to 20 miles purely electrically. Key elements of this impressive output are the V6 biturbo and the intelligent hybrid drive. The new high-voltage lithium-ion battery with an energy content of 8.7 kWh can be externally recharged via the charging socket in the right side of the rear bumper.

The S550 Plug-In Hybrid model has environmental certificates. These document the model's environmental performance from development through to recycling across the entire lifecycle, and the performance is certified to internationally recognized standards by independent experts.

Regarding CO2 emissions, the certificate of the S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID states: "Over the entire lifecycle encompassing manufacture, use of over 300,000 kilometres (186,000 miles) and recycling, clear advantages result when compared with the S550. External charging with the European electricity mix can cut CO2 emissions by some 43 percent (35 tonnes). Through the use of renewably generated hydroelectricity a 56 percent reduction (46 tonnes) is possible."

The hybrid transmission is based on the 7-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in-hybrid system in the S-Class is based on the Mercedes-Benz parallel hybrid modular system. The common system-specific feature is the additional clutch integrated between combustion engine and electric motor. On the one hand, it decouples the combustion engine during purely electric operation; on the other hand, if the combustion engine is employed it affords the possibility to move off drawing on the performance of a wet start-up clutch. The clutch then substitutes for the torque converter and requires no additional space owing to its complete integration in the torque converter housing.

Haptic accelerator pedal: support for the driver

Climb in, start, drive off and, as well as exemplary efficiency, on request experience via kickdown the special acceleration of the electric motor – this is how easy hybrid driving is with the new S550 PLUG-IN HYBRID. For in everyday use it moves just as easily as any other automatic transmission car.

In the background, depending on the chosen operating mode, the intelligent operating strategy automatically selects the ideal combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor and in so doing not only adapts its strategy according to the charge status of the battery; it also foresightedly adjusts it according to the traffic or route. Anyone wanting to can also intervene manually and with the aid of four operating modes and three transmission modes regulate the hybrid interplay themselves.

What is known as the haptic accelerator pedal can signal via a double impulse when drivers should take their foot off the accelerator for sailing and recuperating. During electric operation it can supply the driver with feedback on the switch-on point of the combustion engine. The energy flow can be shown in all operating states in the instrument cluster and in the central display if this is selected by the customer.

The technical data at a glance:

Model	S 550 PLUG-IN HYBRID
Internal combustion engine:
Number of cylinders/arrangement	6/V
Mixture formation	High-pressure injection, 2 turbochargers
Displacement (cc)	2996
Rated output (hp at rpm)	329 hp at 5250-6000
Rated torque	354 lb-ft at at 1600-4000
Electric motor:
Output (kW/hp)	85 kW / 114 hp
Torque (Nm / lb-ft)	340 Nm / 251 lb-ft
System output (kW/hp)	325 kW / 436 hp
System torque (Nm/lb-ft)1	650 Nm / 479 lb-ft
Consumption combined from (l/100 km)2	2.8
CO2 emissions combined from (g/km)2	65
Efficiency class	A+
Electric range (miles)	20
Charge time 20%-100% (400 V/16 A – 230 V/8 A)3 (h)	2 – 4.1
Acceleration 0-62 mph (s)	5.2
Top speed (mph)1	130 mph
Top speed electric (mph)1	87

¹ Electronically limited, ² In accordance with NEDC, ³ Charge time at 230 V/8 A e.g. at a commercially available socket. Through settings on the control element of the charging cable shorter charge times can be realised (standard setting: 8 A), provided that the power supply system is designed for this. Charge time at 400 V/16 A e.g. at a wallbox. The voltage and current ratings indicated refer to the power supply infrastructure and can be limited by the car.

⁴ Sales price in Germany, incl. 19 percent VAT