2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Car Reviews
First, however, we must discuss the novelty of an S-class hybrid.
Hybrid power
Unlike the Lexus LS 600h, in which Lexus merely chose to add a big hybrid drive system to the LS' existing V-8, giving it tremendous power, Mercedes-Benz downsized the S-class engine, replacing the base level 5.5-liter V-8 with an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V-6.
A 20-horsepower electric motor assists that engine. Mercedes-Benz kept the hybrid system's weight under control by using a 120-volt lithium ion battery pack--the first use of this type of battery chemistry in a major production hybrid. Likewise, the standard tachometer reveals this hybrid system's most useful feature: start-stop technology.
Stop the car at a light or in traffic, and the engine shuts down, saving gas. EPA gas mileage for the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. A little sport
The faults we ascribe to this hybrid system show themselves only during urban driving; out on the open road, the "Mercedes S400 Hybrid" feels no different from any other S-class.
That latter technology might seem superfluous in a luxury cruiser like the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, but this car offers some minor sport capability. Pressing the aforementioned throttle response button, we put the power train in Sport mode, and for good measure activated the Sport Suspension mode, using its separate button next to the LCD.
Now that the hybrid vehicle market is maturing, some previously unreadable trends are coming slowly into focus.
Mercedes-Benz is not innocent in this trend either – the luxury giant is offering two new-for-2010 models that use some sort of hybrid technology, but it’s the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid that’s the most promising and relevant.
HIGH-TECH LITHIUM-ION BATERY, LOW TECH SINGLE-MODE HYBRID
Because it’s a ‘mild’ hybrid, the Benz doesn’t drive on the battery power alone – it’s simply there to add some extra grunt, allow for stop-start operation, regenerate power through braking and run the electrically driven accessories.
However, unlike other hybrids that stash big panels of heavy batteries somewhere in the body, Mercedes-Benz jumped into advanced battery technology headfirst by being the first ‘real’ automaker to adopt lithium-ion batteries. Otherwise, the hybrid shares the rest of its mechanicals with the rest of the revised S-Class lineup, which means power goes to the rear wheels through the corporate seven-speed automatic transmission. The company’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive is not an option.
Mercedes claims that the Hybrid is 26 percent more efficient than the S550 (19/26 mpg vs. 14/21 mpg) but the V8-powered Benz is significantly faster, besting the Mercedes-Benz S400 by nearly two seconds in the 0-60 mph sprint (5.4 sec. vs. 7.2 sec.). Now we don’t have any U.S. mpg numbers, but taking the European test cycle numbers, the "S350 gets 22/37 mpg, vs. the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid’s European 24/32 mpg rating". Mercedes-Benz’ dipped toe in the hybrid pool comes enclosed in some impressive packaging, though. While we applaud Merc’s efforts to deliver a lower priced and more environmentally friendly S-Class, this hybrid model might have entered the scene prematurely as a V6 model might have worked just as well. Ultimately, the S400 Hybrid works solely because of how good the S-Class is, rather than by how groundbreaking its hybrid technology is or is not.
Mercedes is known for their strong engineering strengths and historically sound quality, so I expected the cars to bounce back to their former glory.
Driving Impressions
I drove a beautiful white 2010 S400 Hybrid, the “green” offering in the exclusive S-class sedans. The S-class series are not the most expensive line of Mercedes cars, but they are the largest sedan they sell and the prices are lofty to match. A big car loaded with luxuries. The S400 is a big, heavy car, coming in at 4,390 pounds! The stability and comfort that the "Mercedes-Benz S400 "surpasses any of the cars I’ve driven, making long distance driving something to look forward to. I suspect that to hit the MPG targets, the power was dialed back, leaving a driving experience that is comfortable, but not exciting.
Both the front seats feature massage capabilities, while the rear passengers can enjoy watching DVD movies on the screens built into the front seat headrests, listening on the provided wireless headphones.
This car is loaded with so many features that unfortunately, the engineers have not figured out how to best control all of them.
