Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID In-Depth Details And Specifications
The Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID is certainly no stranger here at eMercedesBenz, as both its lithium-ion battery technology and its role in Mercedes' "Road to the Future" strategy have already been detailed on several occasions. Our prior coverage of the S 400 BlueHYBRID, however, pales in comparison to the extensive overview of the model Mercedes-Benz has published today – one that offers an exceptionally in-depth look at the first ever hybrid drive to be featured on a Mercedes passenger car.
As with any hybrid, the first question that must be addressed is precisely how efficient the S 400 BlueHYBRID really is. The answer, according to NEDC fuel consumption ratings, is 7.9-liters per 100 kilometers (about 30 mpg) – a figure that makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine on the planet. To achieve such impressive figures, Mercedes engineers began with a model you're already familiar with – the S 350 – and subsequently re-engineered its 3.5-Liter V6 petrol engine; added an additional magneto-electric motor; reconfigured the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the hybrid module; and threw in a high-voltage lithium ion battery, a transformer and new operating and control electronics for good measure.
In the end, the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID's 3.5-liter petrol engine develops an output of 205 kW/279 hp and its electric motor generates 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 Nm, both of which give the model a combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton meters. As a result, the S 400 BlueHYBRID can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, all while bettering fuel consumption of the conventional S 350 by up to 2.2-liters per 100 kilometers (about 7 mpg).
Of course, when speaking of a hybrid vehicle, the fun lies not in stating performance figures, but rather in detailing its various drive functions. And the S 400 BlueHYBRID, she boasts many. At a standstill, for example, the petrol engine is usually switched off, while the electric drive of the refrigerant compressor and steering servo pump allows uninterrupted operation of the air conditioning and power steering. While traveling at a constant speed, the S 400's intelligent electronics recognize situations such as relaxed motorway stretches, and automatically adjust the load point of the internal combustion engine to achieve a lower specific fuel consumption. And during braking (using the brake pedal), the electric motor acts as a generator, storing the kinetic energy as electrical energy in the lithium-ion battery. To the driver, this process feels like a stronger engine braking effect, due to the fact the conventional disc brakes at the wheels are not yet employed (thus saving wear and tear). The only time disc brakes are activated are situations when the driver applies heavy pressure to the brake pedal, which in turn brakes the car together with the engine brake and recuperation.
These are just three examples highlighting the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID's drive functions; there are a number that I've left out. In addition, there's a 7-stage safety concept for the model, descriptions of each of the new hybrid drive's various components and a wealth of other information detailing the S 400, all of which awaits you in the official press release below. I've also included a number of photos highlighting the new Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID, each of which enlarge when you click them.
Enjoy!
Source: Media.Daimler.Com &
Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID In-Depth Details And Specifications | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog
