S-Class Diesel Hybrid Headed for Frankfurt Auto Show
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Lexus’ pursuit of environmental friendliness has resulted in one of the mostintriguing concepts to date - the luxury performance hybrid. Prior to the introduction of the RX 400h, the only other brand to feature a hybrid that offered superior performance to its conventional equal was the Honda Accord Hybrid. Since then, the Lexus range has bloomed to include the GS 450h, and its masterpiece and flagship, the LS 600h, while the Honda has been discontinued.
The LS 600h is the ultimate Lexus and a true representation of what the brand stands for. Instead of committing time and resources into developing a thirsty twelve-cylinder engine, Lexus applied its hybrid drive system, creating a vehicle that consumes fuel equal to that of a six-cylinder car, with the performance of one with twice the cylinders. The LS 600h is also recognized as being the first full-sized hybrid luxury sedan, something that no other brand can say they’ve achieved. That is, until this September, when Mercedes-Benz is slated to unveil the new S-Class Hybrid.
The S-Class Hybrid will be the first hybrid passenger car for Mercedes-Benz, and will be a direct rival to the LS 600h. Just the same, there are some serious differences between the two. Unlike the LS, a “performance” hybrid, Benz is pursuing the more traditional hybrid route, which is to pair a smaller, more efficient engine with an electric motor. This means that as far as horsepower and performance goes, the Lexus will probably be quicker and faster.
What’s interesting to see is that the S-Class Hybrid will not be a full hybrid like the Lexus, meaning that it can’t sneak silently around the city as it can’t run on electricity alone. Still, the ability to incorporate some sort of electrical assistance into a vehicle’s drivetrain has proven beneficial in terms of economy. Sources predict that the S-Class Hybrid will achieve36 mpg, which is not only impressive for a vehicle of its size, but is a full 10 mpg more fuel efficient than what the Lexus is rated at. The hybrid system that is featured on the S-Class is the product of the partnership with GM, BMW and DaimlerChrysler.
There are still a couple of questions up in the air about the S-Class Hybrid, namely what its main engine will be. Two years ago when Mercedes-Benz launched the updated S-Class, they had a prototype diesel-electric hybrid in the works called the Bluetec Hybrid Concept, which featured a 3.2-liter CDI turbodiesel V6 that made 243 horsepower. While this is a likely choice for the production car, another viable option is the brand new four-cylinder Bluetec turbodiesel engine that debuted in the Vision C 220 Bluetec Concept last year. The net power from the four-cylinder configuration should at the very minimum be equal to 200 horsepower, and well over 300 lb-ft of torque.
Whatever powertrain choice Mercedes-Benz opts for with the S-Class Hybrid, it will break ground in one area. It will be the world’s first production diesel-electric hybrid vehicle … unless someone else beats it to the punch.