Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid Could Achieve 81 mpg

Gone are the days when environmentalists shouted themselves hoarse demanding small and mid-sized cars that could give better mileage than luxury sedans. A recent report says that the new Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid could achieve a mind blowing mileage of 81 miles per gallon in the European hybrid cycle.

Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid

Mercedes development director Dr. Thomas Weber, in an interview with Car and Driver, has said, “Three years ago, everyone thought that there would only be small cars and that there would be no more large cars. But our plug-in concept demonstrated that an S-class could make 78 mpg (3.0 L/100km), so those questions stopped. With the next generation of S-class we are talking 81 mpg (2.9 L/100km), using a new-generation 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine-direct injection and piezo injectors-integrated with a 60-hp (44 kW) electric motor. In pure-electric mode, the car would have a range of just over 20 miles (32.2 km) at speeds of up to 68 mph (109 km/h). It is clear that we will have a plug-in hybrid in the next-generation S-class.”

Porche 918 Spyder concept

Porche 918 Spyder concept at the Geneva Auto Show last week, the automaker undoubtedly bear hopes of a positive response, leading to a potential production car. And that's exactly what seems to have happened.

"Frankly, we were pleased that we were able to keep it quiet, and a lot went into that," said Dave Engelman, a Porsche spokesman.

Mr. Engelman posted that his boss, Bernd Harling, Publicity Chief for Porsche in the United States, had undergo a nondisclosure waiver before having a glance at the 918.