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Mercedes Plug Hybrid includes Wireless Charging but lacks Handling

December 08, 2014 by Power Pulse1595211359

Several innovative systems ingeniously increase fuel efficiency in the Mercedes S-Class Plug-In Hybrid. One of them looks ahead of the car, and by synthesizing road information such as topography and speed limits, optimizes energy usage of the gasoline engine and electric motor. So if the S550 is about to travel down a hill, the system will automatically prepare the electric motor to maximize power recovery. And with 20 miles of all-electric range, the S550 plug-in has achieved 84 miles per gallon on the European testing cycle. That number will drop in the EPA's hands, and has been predicted to be 26 miles per gallon for the S550 Plug-in Hybrid.

The S-Class Plug-In Hybrid also offers multiple drive modes so drivers can customize how they want to spend and recover energy. For example, the driver can choose to drive solely on electric power (for up to 20 miles), or she can even save the charge of the battery if all-electric driving is needed later on in the trip. And with a complete suite of the most advanced safety and driver assistance technologies on the planet, this luxury plug-in sedan can only be an S-Class. The all-new 2015 S-Class Plug-In Hybrid arrives in Spring 2015.

Performance highlights will include: Combined power output of 436 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque (3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine + electric motor); Acceleration: 0-to-60 mph in 5.2 seconds; Customizable energy-use drive modes: Hybrid, E-Move, Save, Charge; Next-generation regenerative braking system; and Collision prevention assist plus. Available options will include: Adaptive High Beam Assist; Head Up Display; PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition; PRE-SAFE® PLUS rear-end collision protection; DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist; BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist; Active Lane Keeping Assist; Burmester® High-End 3D surround sound system; heated armrests, consoles, steering wheel and rear seats that are also ventilated and power- and memory-capable; and customizable amenities such as multi-contour massage, four-zone climate control, power foot rests and calf rests, as well as folding tables and heated/cooled cupholders

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are collaborating to provide wireless charging. According to a review in Car and Driver magazine: “With the system, there’s no need to plug in your plug-in car anymore. In a nutshell, you park your Bimmer (or Benz) over a small lump in the driveway or garage, a Wi-Fi connection talks to the transmitter and the receiver mounted underneath the car, and in a few hours the battery is topped off. The BMW/Benz system is currently rated at 3.6kW, which could fully charge a BMW i8 in less than two hours, and eventually will hit 7kW. Mercedes says it will eventually offer wireless charging on the upcoming S500 Plug-in Hybrid while BMW will bring it to the i3, i8, and more plug-in hybrids such as the X5 Plug-in.

“Plugging in, however, is not the only inconvenience associated with this hybrid. The 8.7-kWh lithium-ion battery steals trunk space, reducing its capacity from 18.7 to 13.9 cubic feet (according to European measurement methods, at least). And the plug-in Benz loses some of its handling edge: The extra weight of the batteries, electric motor, control units, and associated cables amounts to some 650 pounds, which makes the car feel more cumbersome during fast cornering,” the review concluded.