Mercedes S500 Hybrid Frankfurt reveal

Mercedes has revealed the S500 Hybrid – a plug-in with a 3.5 V6 which offers 73.5 mpg.

It’s becoming very clear that Mercedes – that maker of cars still perceived as for the Plutocrat – is starting to make a pretty good show of acquiring a ‘Green Halo’. It’s recently revealed the B-Class F-Cell Hydrogen car will go on small scale lease, and it’s busy making economical diesels throughout its range – including the Mercedes S250 BlueEfficiency.

But the S-Class is the ultimates ‘Bankers Car’. So where to go with S Class without destroying the kudos for buyers is a problem. Mercedes made a start with the mild S400 Hybrid, but as we reported recently they are going much further with the S500 Hybrid which was revealed yesterday at Frankfurt.

The Mercedes S500 Hybrid – although some way off production – shows just what can be achieved in a big, luxury car. Without any perceptible lowering in quality or – it would seem – performance, Mercedes has built a Mercedes S Class that can average 73mpg. Not only can it manage economy at a level that would have shamed the smallest of cars just a few years ago, but it can still hustle to 60mph in 5.3 seconds.

If car makers keep achieving such astonishing economy – even in luxo-barges – we don’t need to worry about oil running out. We’ll never use it all.

Mercedes S500 Hybrid Photo Image Gallery