Mercedes-Benz S550

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Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid is first PHEV Benz

by Lyndon Johnson on September 28, 2014

The Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid is connected to an EV quick charger. Mercedes says the model is the first to wear the three-pointed star and also carry a PHEV powertrain configuration. For a first effort, we reckon it lays down some impressive numbers. (Photo courtesy Mercedes-Benz USA)

With all the crazy technological innovations in automotive powertrains, one could be forgiven for not knowing this: Until the all-new Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid, the three-pointed star did not have a PHEV model in its range.

Oh, sure, there’s the Smart Electric Drive — E.D., unfortunately, for short — if you want to stretch things to the cousins of the M-B family. And within M-B itself, there’s a B-Class Electric Drive if you’re feeling upmarket and need more seats than the two the Smart can offer. There’s also the Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid. But the Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid is the first true PHEV in the Mercedes-Benz range.

A press release from Mercedes-Benz (press credentials may be required to view) offers up some interesting numbers:

• The gasoline engine component of the hybrid drivetrain is a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 329 horsepower at 5,250 to 6,000 RPM and 364 ft-lbs of torque in a wide swath from 1,600 to 4,000 RPM.
• The electric motor component of the hybrid drivetrain tacks on an additional 114 horsepower and 251 ft-lbs of torque, bringing total system horsepower to 436 and total system torque to 479.
• Top speed is 130 MPH.
• Top speed in electric drive mode is 87 MPH.
• On the (more liberal than the EPA) European cycle, the Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid averages a combined 84 MPG.
• The car emits an average of just 62 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer of driving. A three-cylinder Ford Fiesta in European 125-horsepower trim emits an average of 99 grams per kilometer, by comparison — and that’s with ignition stop-start capability to reduce idle time whenever the Fiesta is stopped in traffic.
• Electric-only driving range of 20 miles.
• Recharging from 20% battery capacity to 100% can be achieved in as little as two hours thanks to a 3.6-kW on-board charger, so long as you’re able to make use of an EV charging station.
• The lithium ion battery holds 8.7 kWh, weighs 251 lbs, and occupies a space of 3.4 cubic feet in a die-cast aluminum structure located above the rear axle. This allows the Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid to retain a trunk storage volume of 12.2 cubic feet.
• The car’s seven-speed automatic transmission utilizes two overdrive gears (6th has a ratio of 0.82:1 and 7th has a ratio of 0.73:1) and two reverse gears. First reverse is a short 3.42:1, while second reverse is a slightly taller 2.23:1. The car’s final drive ratio is 2.82:1.
• The Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid will sprint to 62 MPH from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds — if you ask it to.

It may not surprise you that we’re clamoring to drive this monster of PHEV technology. After spending some quality time with a Porsche Panamera S e-hybrid earlier this year, we’re curious how the three-pointed star people pull off a PHEV. Fingers crossed we can make a Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid show up in our driveway for a few days, everyone.