Mercedes Benz | The large S-Class sedan is loaded with plug-in performance

In the not-too-distant past, the V12 was a must for high-performance models from Mercedes-Benz. To breathe performance into its latest models, the star brand is now using the rechargeable hybrid to drive the liveliest livery of its large S-Class.

Charles Rene

The Press

Thus, after the C 63 unveiled a few months ago with a plug-in hybrid engine, the flagship sedan receives a similar treatment by employing a 4L twin-turbo V8 as its central core. It produces 603 hp on its own, but benefits from a 188 hp electric motor. The power is thus increased to a very convincing total of 791 hp and 1055 lb-ft, a torque greater than that of a Ford F-Series Super Duty turbodiesel. A nine-speed automatic transmission is responsible for guiding its enthusiasm.

The technology used by Mercedes-Benz is very interesting. The engineers placed the electric motor on the rear axle. It also has its own transmission and can also send its torque to the front wheels by mechanical link. It is certainly complex, but it is said that it allows a great latitude of adjustments to favor the agility of the car and to fill the power gaps of the V8. A 13.1 kWh battery is used to store the energy, but Mercedes-Benz did not specify the autonomy, which should not be exceptional.

Rear steering is obviously part of the standard equipment of this AMG model to improve the agility of the long sedan both at low speed and when the speedometer climbs. It works in concert with an adaptive pneumatic suspension that combines with all the mechanical elements according to seven driving modes. Mercedes-Benz also plans to integrate level 3 autonomous driving soon on this S-Class. A very complex machine, like modern luxury.