Look, you won't find a bigger bunch of fans of the C63 than this here crew, but man, that massive "plug-in hybrid" logo might as well say "70+ aged drivers only, please." For everyone not interested in scooping up a
Tesla Roadster,
Chevy Volt or some other eco-friendly whip that they
can't afford, there's the
Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500. Made official this week during the run-up to the impending Frankfurt auto show, the 3.5-liter PHEV aims to grab the eyes of those who value class, comfort and luxury, and while this whole "gas mileage" thing is still
very much in the air with this type of vehicle, early estimates peg the MPG rating at around 70. M-B has gifted the car with an 18-mile electric range, but most everything else is being veiled in secrecy until the full reveal next week.
posted Sep 12th 2009 9:36AM
HOT!
I wanna skin my Mercedes!
I can see Oprah handing these out... Not sure why, but I can.
Probably because the year it was introduced, Oprah gave away a Ponitac G6 to every member of the Audience.
the hybrid logo is cute
also i can't help but be reminded of how every camera has the number of megapixels plastered onto it
seriously can we stop that?
what?
He's talking about companies using the product to blatantly advertise the product. When you buy a P&S camera, it has about 10 different stickers on it shouting specs peppered with ad jargon. This Merc looks the part - though I suspect this is just the working model shown to people at auto shows and for the press releases. Nobody spending this kind of money would accept a car with words plastered all over it.
The end version might have a little "Hybrid" tag next to the model number on the trunk. Though, I'd prefer no hybrid have that - it's advertising a feature of the car on your car. Save that for blenders and stereo receivers.
And by old people you mean rich people. Class envy much?
No kidding. Old people, driving an S500? I don't know any of them. All I know are chic middle-aged wealthy people that want a nice car in which to drive around town. I know this isn't autoblog.com, but that's just wrong...
I further agree with these statements. Maybe you're thinking of a Buick LaCrosse, engadget? Also, I am pretty positive they won't all be skinned like that. Though GM managed to prove me wrong in that regard, so who knows?
Pretty much what the S-class is. You don't have to be over 50 to have money. Younger, more virile, people (with money) tend to buy more interesting and sporting cars with their money. BMW M5 or Audi S6 has space and sport. This Mercedes is a geezer-mobile.
YES, OLD PEOPLE.
come to NYC or Long Island. I see plenty of old reitrees in this car. Sometimes I even see old women driving themselves in this car. What kills me is when I see old people in the AMG models doing measly 50 mile speeds.
"Not surprisingly, most S-Class buyers are men, says Valentine O'Connor, a spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz. "Their average age is 55, with a household income of about $300,000," she says. Mercedes gets its statistics from Strategic Vision, a 30-year-old San Diego company that tracks the buying and personal habits of consumers."
http://www.entrepreneur.com/grow/portfolio/article181528.html
From a survey done a couple years ago. Perception isn't reality, people. "Seeing" people in a car isn't a valid research method; a statistical survey of actual owners would be more accurate...
Yeah, if you own a S Class benz as your "main" vehicle then you are usually a fairly old CEO or his young wife taking the kids to football practice. :) S Class wouldnt be my choice for first hybrid MB or being sporty and flashy in your 30's. It's kinda stuffy looking and HUGE.
...but I still dont understand the old people hate. :) C350 please give me a call!
To continue my point, the people you see driving an S-class in your area would be more indicative of the people who live in your area. If you see lots of old people driving them around, I might suggest that you live in an area that has a large population of old people.
Where I live, it's a vibrant community with lots of young professionals. I see lots of well-dressed men and women driving AMG 63s around, coupes, sedans, and convertibles. Every now and then maybe a dude in an AMG 65 Black edition... but that's just the demographics of my area. All the old people go to Hilton Head to die, so I don't see them tooling around as often.
Then in my 35's i am ready for retire:-) MB's is much better choice than Tesla.
Imagining next week's unveiling... "oh yes and it can fly too"
18 miles? That's embarrassing.
Eighteen electric-only miles in a 5,000 pound isolationist luxury full-size sedan? I think that's absolutely amazing! And 70 mpg from an electric-assisted 5.0 liter 400 hp engine? Absolutely astounding! If you're trying to compare this to the Chevy Volt, this puts that to shame. This is much more bang for the buck in terms of electric travel in a nice environment.
"And 70 mpg from an electric-assisted 5.0 liter 400 hp engine?"
Actually S500 has 5.5 litre engine.. The name is only there for the tradition. And because americans don't understand the tradition behind the name they had to have theirs named S550. I think that is a discrace.
ps.. I'd really like to reply to the correct post but this stupid comment system won't allow me. >:(
James and Jcla
And both you noobs know that this is a 3.5L PHEV right? And its still using the 500 nomenclature.
READ* the article. Rather than start a flame war with all* the wrong ammo.
The "70 mpg" figure is based on that questionable mathematics that would give the Volt 240 mpg and the Nissan Leaf 367 mpg. In that context 70 mpg is pretty pathetic.
Is is NOT how much mileage you are getting if you put a gallon of gas in your car and drop it (you won't drive 70 miles on hybrid mode). It is how much emissions are being released by the electric company relative to how much power you are using in EV mode.
I'm still looking at how well the Chevy Volt will perform before calling this a good buy. They're claiming 230 for that, and this is getting only 1/3 of the mileage.
My next hybrid will be a pony. She will run on hay AND beans, and I will call her Star.
Remind me to not stand behind your bean-powered horse.
I have one of those hybrids!
only 1 horsepower?
Only one half of a horsepower - she will be a pony. And she will get 40 rods to the Hogshead on the freeway.
Well if you really want it to be a hybrid, you have to get a mule.
Ugly! You couldn't pay me to own an E series. Seriously.
Let me know if someone offers you.
Are you kidding me? The new E class it's not only beautiful, but it has most of the tech the S class offer.
I wish I had the money.
The MB E-Class is a fantastic car, and you're right, we wouldn't pay you to own one, you have to pay for it yourself you spoiled brat!
Old people...? Why?
I can finally get rid of my C230 and buy this plug-in hybrid!!!!!
Now, if they only had an electric version, like the tesla.
Oh well, we can't have it all I guess.
It's not really a car I associate with old people. Anything made by Lexus maybe, but not the S-class.
White people should NEVER use the word, "whip" when referring to a car. Especially you pasty bunch 'O nerds.
Mercedes does this graphic treatment to most of it's cars that go to press. If you need filler for your articles, find something pertinent rather than show your extreme ignorance.
Stick to what you guys know... Apple brown nosing, and Hello Kitty crap.
I argee with you 100%
I don't agree. I think that NOBODY should use the word "whip" to describe a car. What the hell?
And oh yea, "That's Racist!"
stop posting that
You can't call it an S500 if it's got a 3.5L V6.
Mercedes can call it whatever they want. It's their product.
well it's not an S500, it's S400 Hybrid that's why it only has 3.5
S400 Hybrid
http://www.manhattan.mercedescenter.com/portal/site/DWS56113/menuitem.647432b723b52c754c764c763aa13453/?vgnextoid=022ea2b3b333a110VgnVCM20000015174335RCRD&vc=S&vmf=S400HV&yr=2010
@ ganda0669
Actually, if you read the first lines of the MB PR, you'll see that the S 500 Hybrid is a newer model, and different from the S 400 Hybrid.
"Shortly after the successful market launch of the S 400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the first "three-litre car" in the premium class - the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - at the 63rd IAA in Frankfurt."
HYBRI====D
lold
Ok, you have no taste, why make it so obvious; I'm assuming you aren't so lacking in brains that you don't get what a prototype is all about.
We have enough racism, sexism, homophobia etc. Time to grow up. Everyone gets old, even Newton, Einstein, Michaelangelo, Bach, Rembrandt. You seem to think there is some kind of great change that takes place. Here's a hint, rich people are mostly just poor people with money, Old people are just young people with a few more years; thoughtless, mediocre, average people when young are just the same when they're old.
For the most part, you can write the tombstone right after the baby is born. Most people do nothing with their lives that is remembered or worth remembering.
You cant go from a crappy C230 to a S500...Read your Mercedes Benz owners handbook!!!
thanks comment system.
Here's to you ultimately remaining anonymous.
way to make a expensive car look like a POC with thise stupid stickers. if you have a "luxory" car you cant sticker it up like a civic and expect younger people to want it.
Production models won't be covered in stickers. This is just engadget not knowing anything about cars or press photos and presentations.
18 mile range, FAIL! I'd rather buy a tesla.
an S500 is far too nice for this
http://www.ibenz.co.uk/mercedes-sl/