2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID: First Production Car with Lithium-Ion Batteries

Mercedes-Benz has released further details on its first production model equipped with a hybrid drive system, the S400 BlueHYBRID that will go on sale in Europe in June 2009 with China and the USA following in August and September 2009 respectively. Based on the S350, the S400 BlueHYBRID combines a modified 279HP 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine and an electric motor generating 20 HP and a starting torque of 160 Nm or 118-lbs/ft that’s installed in the torque converter housing between the engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission. The result is a combined output of 299 HP and a combined maximum torque of 385 Nm or 283-lbs/ft. -Continued

Quite importantly (and unless someone beats the Germans to it), the S400 BlueHYBIRD will be the first series-production model to be equipped with a lithium-ion battery. The advantages over conventional nickel/metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density and better electrical efficiency, together with more compact dimensions and a lower weight.

What’s more important to consumers is that the battery pack is installed in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery. This means that the interior space and boot capacity of the S400 remain unchanged. Additionally, thanks to its compact dimensions and modular design, the additional weight of the overall hybrid system including the comprehensive safety systems is only 75 kg or 165 lbs.

As with most hybrids today, when the vehicle is braked the electric motor acts as a generator, and is able to recover braking energy which is then stored in lithium-ion battery pack and made available when required. The hybrid module also has a start/stop function, which switches the engine off when the vehicle is at a standstill- for example at traffic lights. When it's time to move on, the electric motor restarts the main power unit.

According to Merc’s official figures, the S400 BlueHYBRID accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 sec, and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph. More importantly, the S 400 BlueHYBRID betters the average fuel consumption figure of the conventionally powered S350 by up to 2.2 lt /100 km, at 7.9 lt /100 km (29.8 MPG US) and CO2 emissions by 21 percent at 190 gr /km.

5 comments

Anonymous // September 17, 2008

While GM is struggling with the Volt (whilst looking a government handout, or should that be bailout) the rest of world comfortably sails by with MB even doing so in their high-end.
CaliDesigner // September 17, 2008

Anonymous: GM has had mild hybrids like this for well over a year now, Volt aside, Gm has been doing this kind of hybrid long before MB. See Saturn VUE/Aura hybrids, new Mailbue hybrid, etc. Gm is actually doing something innovative with the Volt, not just attaching a small electric motor to an existing powertrain.
Rick W. // September 17, 2008

While this is a good feat in itself for Mercedes to be amongst one of the first European luxury auto brands to produce a hybrid, one has to wonder how much all of the technological know how will cost.

The Lexus LS600h costs 6 figures. This will probably be the same and cost more than a S500 or S600. So, for those that don't care for style and luxury, for a vehicle that fits just as many people in just as large of space, why not get 6 Toyota Prius' for the price of 1 Lexus LS600h or 1 Mercedes S400 Hybrid?

At least now, we can see how many rich people in this world actually care about the environment? With the few celebs who have purchase Prius', it doesn't show too much on the celeb or the rich side of the income ruler that they care about the environment as much as the middle class.
Anonymous // September 29, 2008

Why would they charge more than the s600? Who wants to buy a 120,000 car that's a hybrid? People who have money to buy things like that aren't worried about putting gas in the car. This cars ticket price isn't going anywhere near the s600.
~spcf~ // October 01, 2008

Much as I love my '04 E-Class, why would they do this? I can understand, in today's climate of tree hugging political correctness, that the label 'Hybrid' can potentially enhance sales figures, but for 20HP? Why? I think this is Benzo gone bonkers. Sure those Californians, with their 6,000 square-foot homes, A/C running at full tilt leaving a carbon footprint that would itself darken our future, love to be seen on the street to be environmentally conscious, but I guess a label is a label. I wonder if I go to the model store, and buy a $20 science kit with a solar cell in it, I can stick that on my car roof to recharge my cellphone and call my vehicle a hybrid? It's all just Mercedes now guilty of prostitution like the rest of the charlattans out there. Hey Benxo, make me a car that runs on garbage as fuel and prints dollar bills while it does it - then we can talk!