2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Review
- Friday, February 19, 2010, 3:46
- Automobile
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“2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid” is the new rollout from European Car giant, Mercedes Benz. With adaptive cruise control, night vision, an excellent Harman Kardon audio system, luxury seats, the Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid 2010 everything as S-class should be. It is the one of the most luxurious and comfortable cars on road. Interestingly, it is the cheapest car among S-class cars both in running and initial prices. This car is called as Hybrid as it is run on both petrol and Electric power.
Hybrid power
Mercedes Benz has replaced existing 5.5 liter V-8 engine with an 3.5-litre V-6 based on Atkinson cycle. In addition to this power train, a 20 hp electric motor has been provided. A 120-volt lithium ion battery is mounted in the engine compartment to offer 20 hp electric power. Though the power generated by electric motor sounds less, but it has some important role to play here. It exerts torque of additional torque of 118 pound-feet, which will add to engine’s torque of 258 pound feet. The S400’s electric motor doesn’t drive the vehicle itself; it just boosts the car’s engine. The battery status can be viewed in the S400’s speedometer. It indicates power from battery to engine to wheels.
Tachometer is enhanced by start-stop technology to offer better reading. This technology enables shutting of engine when we are in traffic automatically, which helps in saving fuel. The fuel mileage improves by 4mpg compared to S550. The S400 Hybrid offers 26mpg gas mileage on highway and 19mpg on city roads. It has got a environment rating of Ultra Low Emission Vehicle by California based Air Resources Board.
Benz claims that this combo provides the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid equivalent as V-8 engine of 5.5 liter capacity. But it is not quite right. Car appears bit sluggish. The S400 reaches the 60mph in 7.2seconds, where as V-8 S550 reaches in just 5.4 seconds. Benz only has to answer this. A button provided at the console claps the throttle result between sport and comfort modes, which offer better performance. Occasionally, S400 doesn’t move seamlessly.
A little sport
The S400 Hybrid feels same as the S-class cars while driving in the city roads. Comfort mode’s Air Suspension facilitates easy comfortable and smooth ride. Large plush seats offer comfortable ride. You can customize the lumbar support and it also offers 4 massage modes.
Switching to sport mode, offer full throttle and gives more speed. Suspension works well during hard cornering in sport modes. The S400 similar to S-class uses a stalk present on steering to shift the automatic seven-speed transmission. You can get some more power through a paddle shifter present on steering, which used for changing manual gears.
Gadgets galore.
Navigation System: Navigation system in the car is truly innovative. It has birdeye’s map, 2D maps, and 3D maps points out the topographical details. This map give advanced warning of curves, ascends and descends as well. This exhibits the maps of few cities in great details. It also comes with Zagat restaurant lists, better traffic information. It stores the maps in its hard disk. It also has nice iPod sync options.
Music: It will be great treat for music lovers. The S400 Hybrid comes with Harman Kardon audio system with 15 speakers, which pumps 600 watt-amp. The Audio quality is outstanding, clear and well balanced.
Other features: The S400 offer full Bluetooth services like borrowing contacts from iPhone, syncing with music players and etc. The Cabin includes typical technologies such as radar based adaptive cruise control which facilitates easy ride; blind spot detection technology indicates if the car is in the wrong lane and new Lane Keeping Assist technology which warns when you cross wrong lanes.
Night Vision system offers clear view of roads than naked eye during night. It alters the speedometer and animations on LCD facilitate better view. In this mode, both headlights and taillights will emit powerful light.
Final word
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is stylish, high tech marvel, which includes innovative and robust technologies to help drivers. The innovative technologies like adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and Lane Keeping Assist technology makes ride more safe and pleasant. Stylish cabin features, better navigation, good suspension, Bluetooth features and music add more value to S400. It would have been great if it includes full Hybrid features. It comes at a base price of whopping $87950. The S400 hybrid justifies the price with what it is offering.
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