The S 400 BlueHYBRID sets new standards in respect of dynamism and emission levels; it shows that fuel economy does not have to mean giving up on anything. Its drive system, consisting of a powerful 6-cylinder petrol engine and a torquey electric motor, operates economically and in an environmentally-friendly manner. This, and its optimised aerodynamics, kinetic energy recovery, ECO start/stop function and rolling-resistance optimised tyres, consumption levels of only 7.9–8.2 l/100 km (combined) and CO2 emissions of just 186–191 g/km (combined), make this S-Class the most efficient luxury-class saloon in the world. It offers its accustomed ride comfort, its entire boot capacity, a luxury ambience in its interior and even greater agility.

The petrol engine with its 205 kW power output and torque of up to 350 Nm is supported by an electric motor delivering 15 kW which is supplied by a lithium-ion battery, a first in series-production vehicles. The battery is recharged through the regenerative brake system when the brakes are applied. A hybrid display in the instrument cluster and COMAND shows the moment-to-moment direction of the power flow, whether from the internal combustion engine or from the electric motor.

The combined drive system delivers 205 + 15 kW (279 + 20 hp) and with its torque of up to 385 Nm, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds on its way to its top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Even the vehicle's agility benefits from the environmentally-friendly HYBRID technology: the boost function enables the power of both engines to be briefly used simultaneously. At the same time the emission levels are well below the limits imposed by the strictest exhaust gas standards in the world, thanks to HYBRID technology and exhaust gas aftertreatment.


(S 400 HYBRID: fuel consumption combined: 7.9–8.2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined: 186–191 g/km)[2]