Zoomi Life

Jumping on the hybrid vehicles bandwagon, Mercedez-Benz has released their S400 BlueHybrid to the European market and will be introducing it in North America in 2009 as the 2010 model. They claim it will be the world’s most economical luxury sedan with a spark-ignition engine.

The car is basically an S350 with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. It still uses the same 3.5-liter V6 motor with a handful of modifications (which will also be on the S350), which increase power and lower fuel consumption. The battery replaces the standard lead-acid battery in the engine compartment and the electric motor is a hybridized replacement of the torque-converter in the transmission. The 7-speed automatic transmission, that is.

While the car itself probably isn’t all that special (other than being a Benz), it’s design and ease of factory transition properties are very innovative. Basically, the car can be made in the same plant on almost the exact same assembly line as the S350, making it extremely economical for manufacture. Take notes, GM.

Here’s some quick specs on this car:

• 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds
• Top speed of 155mph
• CO2 emissions reduced by 21%
• Fuel economy of 29.7mpg

This Post via RoadAndTrack.com