The new S-Class hybrid system is so good you may hardly need to visit the petrol station at all.
The new Mercedes-Benz S580e is the most powerful petrol-electric plug-in S-Class yet. But what raises eyebrows even more than its 375kW is the electric range: 102km on the WLTP cycle.
The drivetrain behind those figures combines the turbo 3.0-litre petrol engine used by the S450 (the only confirmed model for Australia so far) and S500 with a gearbox-mounted electric motor and a large battery. Drive is channelled through a nine-speed automatic to all four wheels.
All up, there are four driving modes: Battery (which keeps the petrol engine running to top the battery up), Electric, Comfort and Sport. An Individual mode lets you tailor the steering, throttle and damping responses to your tastes.
The S580e’s ability to set off in complete silence and travel for truly extended distances on its electric motor alone is impressive. With 110kW from the electric motor, it isn’t exactly rapid in Electric mode but the presence of 440Nm of torque the moment you nudge the throttle provides sprightly step-off and near-to-silent cruising at up to 140km/h.
The key to the 102km WLTP electric range is a 28.6kWh lithium ion battery under the boot floor. For comparison, the Audi A8 60 TFSIe quattro can manage only 47km and BMW 745Le xDrive 58km.
Even more impressive is the performance when the two power sources are combined. With a system output of 375kW and 750Nm, there is crisp response and huge flexibility in Hybrid mode out on the open road. It is quite quick, too, sprinting effortlessly to three-figure speeds and beyond on German autobahns.
All this and claimed consumption from 1.3L per 100km as well as average CO2 emissions of 18-30g/km on the WLTP cycle, thanks in part to a coasting function and a very effective brake energy regeneration system.
The potency extends to charging. The new plug-in hybrid S-Class comes with a 3.7kW AC charger as standard but also supports charging on both an optional 11kW AC system and 60kW DC system – the latter of which is claimed to provide it with a 10-80 per cent charge inside 30 minutes.
It’s not all rosy, though. The gearbox isn’t always silken, the brake pedal lacks precision and the battery’s extra weight makes this the least dynamically adept new S-Class we’ve driven.
