New Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-in Hybrid Finally Available for Order

First unveiled at the 2013 edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show, the first ever production plug-in hybrid from Mercedes-Benz is finally available for order in Europe, with the actual cars to arrive in dealerships starting this September.

Starting at 108,944.50 euros including 19 percent VAT in Germany, the Mercedes-Benz S 500Plug-in Hybrid comes with slightly revised specifications compared with the variant unveiled last fall in Frankfurt.

Fret not, as the new specs aren’t worse, but actually make it faster than what is currently its number one competitor – the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid.

According to Mercedes-Benz, its new combined fuel consumption in accordance with NEDC is just 2.8 liters per 100 km (84 mpg), while the new 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time sits at 5.2 seconds.

To put it into perspective, the somewhat similarly-powered Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid has an official NEDC fuel consumption of 3.1 liters per 100 km (75.9 mpg), while its naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration run takes no less than 5.5 seconds.

“The new S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID offers our customers the entire range of innovations that make our new S-Class so successful, and thanks to its intelligent operating strategy ensures outstanding driving pleasure and dynamism combined with the highest efficiency. Moreover, it allows completely emission-free driving for up to 33 km,” said Ola Källenius, Executive Vice-President for Sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The S 500 Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a twin-turbocharged three-liter V6 with 333 hp paired with an electric motor that outputs 116 hp, giving a combined horsepower of 442 hp and 650 Nm (479 lb ft) of torque.

By Alex Oagana