2012 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid reviews
The S400 Hybrid is the gas-electric version of Mercedes-Benz's opulent S-Class full-size luxury sedan. The S400 Hybrid is the first series production hybrid car to be equipped with a lithium-ion battery. The car's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission is specially configured for hybrid operation.
Mercedes-Benz also makes more use of light as a styling element in the interior via the standard ambient lighting, now with a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).
Camera and radar-based driver assistance systems include Adaptive High beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the Pre-Safe brake system linked to the proximity regulating radar, which intervenes autonomously before an impending rear-end collision. The Pre-Safe braking system has also been improved to reduce injuries in unavoidable crashes.
As part of the refresh, the German automaker also debuted its first gasoline-electric hybrid, the S400 Hybrid.
The Mercedes S-Class is renowned for its powerful engines; from the S550’s 429 horsepower V8 and culminating with the S65 AMG featuring the AMG-tuned V12 that produces an outrageous 621 horsepower. Developed jointly with BMW, the S400’s hybrid system is a “mild” hybrid similar to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain, meaning it cannot be driven on electrical power alone. The downside of the Atkinson cycle is diminished engine torque, especially at low rpm.
The small, disc-shaped three-phase external-rotor AC motor fits in the torque converter housing between the engine and the specially adapted seven-speed automatic transmission. The combined system generates 295 horsepower and an impressive 284 pounds-feet of torque. Energizing the motor is a 32-cell, 120-volt, 0.9 amp-hour, and lithium-ion battery. Like most hybrids, the Mercedes S400 system incorporates a stop-start function. When the car stops at a light or in traffic, the engine shuts off, saving fuel. In total, the hybrid system works with the German precision you would expect.
In the U.S. hybrids are about fuel mileage, in Europe it’s about emissions. Luxury rivals Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus offer standard and extended wheelbase sedan models.
An option to seriously consider is massaging front seats, a pampering feature that Mercedes has perfected. The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is brimming with interior tech starting with a 15-speaker Harmon/kardon audio system, Bluetooth, ipod/MP3 interface, 7.2-GB music register and a hard-drive navigation system with Zagato. Mercedes-Benz alludes to the S400h as having the power of a V8, but that’s a stretch. Performance may not be exhilarating but the car felt surprisingly sprightly and right at home on the high-speed Autobahn.
Cutting through the tight twisties of Germany’s Black Forest, the hybrid cornered flatly and with confidence. Stability comes from Active Body Control, a suspension system that continually adapts its tuning to the current driving situation. Of course, we tracked fuel economy and achieved an impressive 29.3 miles per gallon on our 150 mile jaunt – danged good for a car that weighs nearly 5,000 pounds. To state the obvious, the S400 Hybrid is expensive.
What we like most about the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is that unlike all other hybrid versions of its base car, it's cheaper, and unlike other luxury hybrids, it actually saves gas instead of merely delivering more power for the same gasoline expenditure. This is taking the hybrid concept in the right direction — right?
Mercedes-Benz also makes more use of light as a styling element in the interior via the standard ambient lighting, now with a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).
Camera and radar-based driver assistance systems include Adaptive High beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the Pre-Safe brake system linked to the proximity regulating radar, which intervenes autonomously before an impending rear-end collision. The Pre-Safe braking system has also been improved to reduce injuries in unavoidable crashes.
As part of the refresh, the German automaker also debuted its first gasoline-electric hybrid, the S400 Hybrid.
The Mercedes S-Class is renowned for its powerful engines; from the S550’s 429 horsepower V8 and culminating with the S65 AMG featuring the AMG-tuned V12 that produces an outrageous 621 horsepower. Developed jointly with BMW, the S400’s hybrid system is a “mild” hybrid similar to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain, meaning it cannot be driven on electrical power alone. The downside of the Atkinson cycle is diminished engine torque, especially at low rpm.
The small, disc-shaped three-phase external-rotor AC motor fits in the torque converter housing between the engine and the specially adapted seven-speed automatic transmission. The combined system generates 295 horsepower and an impressive 284 pounds-feet of torque. Energizing the motor is a 32-cell, 120-volt, 0.9 amp-hour, and lithium-ion battery. Like most hybrids, the Mercedes S400 system incorporates a stop-start function. When the car stops at a light or in traffic, the engine shuts off, saving fuel. In total, the hybrid system works with the German precision you would expect.
In the U.S. hybrids are about fuel mileage, in Europe it’s about emissions. Luxury rivals Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus offer standard and extended wheelbase sedan models.
An option to seriously consider is massaging front seats, a pampering feature that Mercedes has perfected. The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is brimming with interior tech starting with a 15-speaker Harmon/kardon audio system, Bluetooth, ipod/MP3 interface, 7.2-GB music register and a hard-drive navigation system with Zagato. Mercedes-Benz alludes to the S400h as having the power of a V8, but that’s a stretch. Performance may not be exhilarating but the car felt surprisingly sprightly and right at home on the high-speed Autobahn.
Cutting through the tight twisties of Germany’s Black Forest, the hybrid cornered flatly and with confidence. Stability comes from Active Body Control, a suspension system that continually adapts its tuning to the current driving situation. Of course, we tracked fuel economy and achieved an impressive 29.3 miles per gallon on our 150 mile jaunt – danged good for a car that weighs nearly 5,000 pounds. To state the obvious, the S400 Hybrid is expensive.
What we like most about the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is that unlike all other hybrid versions of its base car, it's cheaper, and unlike other luxury hybrids, it actually saves gas instead of merely delivering more power for the same gasoline expenditure. This is taking the hybrid concept in the right direction — right?
