| Clearly, the S400 Hybrid has a limited | | | | measuring 206.5 inches long overall, the S400 Hybrid is |
| clientele—folks who welcome that 3-4 mpg | | | | a substantial automobile, weighing at least 4,390 |
| improvement over an S550. Environmental-friendliness | | | | pounds. That's a lot for any powertrain to push. |
| doesn't have to be limited to the lower end of the price | | | | Everything is super-smooth in the S400 Hybrid, just as |
| scale. | | | | it is in every S-Class sedan. After all, this is |
| The new S400 Hybrid isn't the first full-size luxury | | | | Mercedes-Benz's prime model: the very top of the |
| sedan to assume gasoline/electric operation. Lexus | | | | sedan lineup in terms of luxury and comfort |
| launched its LS 600h L sedan, with a comparable | | | | convenience. So, you get nearly every S-Class benefit |
| hybrid powertrain, as a 2008 model. Both companies | | | | and element of elegance, coupled with the promise of |
| evidently believe there's a significant urge for greater | | | | consuming less fuel and yielding fewer emissions. |
| fuel economy and reduced emissions, even at the | | | | With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 7.2 seconds, |
| upper end of the economic scale. | | | | performance admittedly falls short of the capabilities of |
| One big difference lies in the battery. With the S400, | | | | the S550 sedan. Even so, the S400 Hybrid comes |
| Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to issue a | | | | close enough to satisfy most potential buyers in this |
| series-production model with a lithium-ion battery pack | | | | league. Only the most ardent high-end hot rodder is |
| that fits into the engine compartment. Except for | | | | likely to grumble about any shortage of screaming |
| seldom-seen Fisker and Tesla cars, other hybrids use | | | | acceleration. And those folks aren't likely to lean |
| nickel metal hydride batteries. | | | | toward a hybrid of any class, much less the |
| Under the S400 hood, a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine | | | | upper-luxury S-Class. Even an S550 or S600 doesn't |
| generates 275 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of | | | | satisfy everyone, which is why Mercedes-Benz's |
| torque. A 15-kilowatt electric motor is located between | | | | AMG division turns out super-performance S63 and |
| the gas engine and the seven-speed adaptive | | | | S65 editions. |
| automatic transmission, which incorporates Sport and | | | | Every S-Class model, including the S400, is loaded with |
| Comfort modes. The electric motor adds 20 | | | | technology and driver conveniences. The standard |
| horsepower, for a total of 295; plus 118 pound-feet of | | | | Pre-Safe system can sense an impending collision and |
| starting torque, to boost acceleration when taking off. | | | | tighten seatbelts, as well as apply additional braking |
| Unlike some hybrid-powertrain vehicles on the market, | | | | force. Mercedes-Benz also offers a Driver Assistance |
| this one does not provide a full hybrid system. The | | | | Package that includes a Blind-Spot Alert, |
| engine shuts off automatically as you slow down and | | | | Lane-Departure Warning, and Distronic Plus adaptive |
| come to a halt at a stoplight or stop sign, but the S400 | | | | cruise control. New Attention Assist is a driver-fatigue |
| Hybrid cannot run on battery power alone. Electricity | | | | alert system that provides both an audible and visual |
| augments the gasoline engine, but cannot substitute its | | | | warning when it senses lack of alertness. |
| function. In some hybrid models, the gasoline engine | | | | Back-seat video entertainment with dual screens is |
| shuts off and restarts with a bit of a bump. Not here. | | | | available. A Rear Seating Package includes four-zone |
| It's nearly impossible to discern the transition between | | | | automatic climate control, a rear-seat memory, and |
| engine shut-off and subsequent start-up at a stoplight. | | | | heated/active-ventilated rear seats. A Sport Package |
| The rear-wheel-drive S400 Hybrid gets a | | | | includes several appearance items, and may be |
| fuel-economy estimate from the Environmental | | | | augmented by a panoramic moonroof. Night View |
| Protection Agency (EPA) of 19 mpg in city driving and | | | | Assist Plus is another extra-cost option, but 20-inch |
| 26 mpg on the highway—comparable to a | | | | tires are a no-charge alternative to the standard |
| smaller gas-engine car. In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz | | | | 18-inch rubber. Although the S400 Hybrid is the |
| S550 sedan with a 382-horsepower V-8 gets a | | | | lowest-priced S-Class model, it's hardly a giveaway at |
| mileage estimate of only 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway. | | | | $88,825 (including destination charge). Still, the |
| Of course, the S600 with its 510-hp V-12 engine is | | | | gasoline-engine S550 sedan stickers for $93,475. |
| even less thrifty. Built on a 124.6-inch wheelbase and | | | | |