There isn’t any purely electrical model of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In order for you one thing like that, you’ll have to go along with the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan. The “something like that” is the vital bit there, as a result of the EQS is terribly completely different than the S-Class. Simply take a look at it, for one. Its design encompasses a wildly completely different physique type that features a huge hatchbacked trunk and a again seat that, whereas comparable by way of legroom, has much less headroom and fewer obtainable practical opulences. The EQS is extra like an electrical cross between an S-Class and a CLS.
As a lot as I just like the EQS, I’d slightly have this S-Class. Simply take a look at it, for one. Fortunately, when you’re considering the identical factor, there’s nonetheless an electrified S-Class: this S580e. It’s a plug-in hybrid, and a rattling good one, too. Not solely is it arguably extra interesting than an EQS, it’s additionally the S-Class I’d get. Palms down, no query.
Listed below are 15 ideas about why that’s.
1. The electrical vary is large
The EPA says the S580e can journey 46 miles on a single cost, however after each full cost, the automobile was exhibiting 60 miles. That’s immense for a plug-in hybrid, and even 46 is properly above common. Different PHEVs are normally within the 30s. This implies you’ll be capable of drive round on electrical energy alone so much longer, and probably not need to cost each night time. I definitely didn’t. It’s additionally good as a result of if, like me, you speed up on the extra speedy facet, your predicted vary goes to drop sooner than your precise miles pushed.
As soon as that e-range is depleted, issues get turned over to a 3.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six, which nonetheless will get a bump from the plug-in hybrid’s electrical motor. It’s a double hybrid, which sounds distinctive … and sophisticated! Then once more, that is an S-Class, so par for the course.
After recharging thrice in per week and occurring two longer drives that eradicated the e-range, I averaged 66.3 mpg in about 300 miles of driving. Had I caught to around-town driving, as is typical, the automobile would’ve stored on exhibiting 999.99 mpg within the meter. Yay plug-in hybrids.
2. Not so certain in regards to the DC fast-charging possibility
This S580e had the $500 DC fast-charging possibility. The one different PHEV I’m conscious of that has that is the Mitsubishi Outlander. Truthfully, I’m unsure why you’d want it. The purpose of a PHEV is that you simply don’t want to fret about public charging. And given the costs they cost, you’re not likely saving cash. I suppose there may very well be some state of affairs, probably whereas touring … however I can’t consider it.
It is fairly exhausting to take an motion shot whereas driving, so right here is principally the identical automobile in Germany
3. Acceleration is determined by numerous components
Per regular, there are completely different drive modes, however within the S580e’s case, they embody powertrain sources in addition to chassis components. This isn’t actually what they’re referred to as, however they boil right down to hybrid mode, save the electrical vary for later mode and all-electric mode. I simply drove in all-electric, or EL formally, till the plug-in battery was depleted. The preliminary really feel of acceleration is ideal for an S-Class: clean, torque-rich and completely quiet. It jogged my memory of the outdated V12-powered CL 65 AMG on this approach. Push a bit of tougher, although, and that comparability dies fairly all of the sudden. Whereas charging onto a freeway onramp (a downhill one no much less), that preliminary torque burst rapidly fell off a cliff as the electrical motor revealed that it’s solely working with 148 horsepower. As I used to be in EL, the automobile tried its finest for a beat simply to ensure I actually was all-in on this “accelerating quickly thing” earlier than bringing on-line the difficult inline-six.
Fortunately, that inline-six sounds nice, with a delightful muffled snarl. No mooing CVT enterprise as within the Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid I drove earlier than the S580e. Mercedes pegs the 0-60 time at 4.4 seconds, however you’d should be in Sport for that with all energy sources primed for enterprise.
4. It has world-beating suspension composure
On the backside of that aforementioned onramp is a collection of massive pavement undulations. Principally, there’s an undulation on the left, adopted by one on the best, then one other on the left. Because the strong white line continues to be current, you’ll be able to’t keep away from them. Each automobile I’ve pushed over them has bounded about, completely flummoxed by the curveballs thrown at their suspensions … till the S580e.
The S-Class comes commonplace with Airmatic air suspension with adaptive dampers. Per the press launch, “While driving, a sophisticated sensor system and algorithms set the dampers according to the quality of the road to ensure that, for example, driving over a bump with just one wheel is not transmitted to the entire axle and the interior.” Bingo! It undoubtedly works!
And that’s simply the usual setup. This automobile didn’t have the non-compulsory E-Lively Physique Management, which, amongst different skills, scans the street forward and preemptively units the suspension to finest sort out any unpleasantness. I can solely think about what it could’ve completed with these onramp bumps.
5. Ahoy!
Talking of that outdated CL 65, one of many issues I cherished about that automobile, and each different massive Benz sedan I’ve ever pushed, is that they subtly pitch when turning. That is one thing we simply don’t expertise in vehicles anymore, however in an enormous Benz like this, it’s excellent. I dig it.
6. It has a hood decoration!
And never solely can you are feeling that pitch, you’ll be able to see it for the reason that S-Class nonetheless has a hood decoration. Gotta like it. My 3-year-old son requested me what that factor is, and I defined it thusly:
“You see, cars used to have something called radiators right in front of the car that you poured water into to keep the engines cool. There was a cap on the radiator water, um, hole and car companies put fancy ornaments on top of those radiator caps. Eventually, cars didn’t need radiator grilles like that, but people still liked the ornaments, so they stayed for a long time after. There aren’t many around anymore, though.”
I didn’t go into European pedestrian safety legal guidelines, however I had lengthy since misplaced him anyway.
7. The grille ain’t nice
The S-Class could not have a radiator grille, but it surely does have numerous crap inside its grille. There’s that massive plastic defend and a digicam asymmetrically positioned. Frankly, it doesn’t look nice.
8. It doesn’t have a HYPERSCREEN. Good.
Transferring inside, the S-Class is just not obtainable with the HYPERSCREEN(!) obtainable within the EQS. That’s simply tremendous. Not solely does the sprint look higher, however the display screen itself is of a superbly acceptable measurement, and the performance is similar.
Additionally, whereas definitely difficult, it’s value noting how a lot simpler I discovered this model of MBUX to make use of versus the brand new Lexus/Toyota infotainment system present in that aforementioned TX 550h+. That pissed me off always. MBUX? By no means.
9. The instrument panel can look a bajillion other ways
I can’t say they’re all helpful (I’m you weirdo Sport view), however I like what number of selections there are for the instrument panel. I imply, why not? What’s the purpose of a digital instrument panel when you’re not going to go all-out with selections like this. See the Mustang’s Fox Physique possibility as one other nice instance.
You’ll be able to see among the varied designs within the gallery above, however notice that altering the ambient lighting additionally modifications the colour scheme of these designs, so there are much more seems to be from which to decide on.
10. 3-year-old boys love ambient lighting
Talking of ambient lighting, I’m unsure who Mercedes thought 64-color ambient lighting with a large number of extra multi-color lighting ideas was for, however I can inform you that 3-year-old boys LOVE it. Each week I get a brand new automobile, my son asks if it “changes different colors?” Often, he’s disillusioned. It’s not a coincidence that Mercedes is his favourite form of automobile apart from “blue truck.”
11. Oh, however the ambient lighting will get higher!
BUT! Not solely are there all these completely different colour selections for my son to demand, I can pull off the additional trick of asking the automobile to do it for me.
“Hey Mercedes, change ambient lighting to red.”
“Hey Mercedes, change ambient lighting to teal.”
We did this most days on the way in which to high school till we found the multi-color scheme dubbed “Miami Beach” that cycles pink, purple, white and teal all through the insane variety of LED lighting tubes unfold all over the place within the cabin. He referred to as it “rainbow,” which I used to be fairly certain “Hey Mercedes” wouldn’t perceive.
12. Cellphone storage is awful
The little cellular phone icon with the lightning bolt signifies that’s the place the wi-fi telephone charger is, tucked awkward beneath the middle stack. It isn’t straightforward to get your telephone in there. Then there’s the USB-C port location, which places your wire proper the place a cup or bottle can be within the ahead cupholder. And certain, the S-Class has wi-fi CarPlay, however I desire to make use of wired as a result of diminished battery calls for in addition to efficiency points. In addition to, even when your passenger simply wished a cost, this can be a horrible location.
13. Sufficient with the pillows!
If there’s one thing Mercedes curiously loves greater than ambient lighting, it’s pillows. I’m sorry, I are not looking for a suede pillow gently brushing my head always. And it drove my spouse nuts. As such, they ended up proper there within the again seat after only some minutes. Additionally they made becoming my son’s automobile seat harder than it must be, however I can no less than see their advantage within the again seat. Additionally, they’re however a strip of Velcro away from being eliminated.
14. The trunk could be very small
So this is able to be the draw back to the S580e. It has solely 8.1 cubic ft of area, which is coupe territory. That’s 4 cubic ft lower than a non-hybrid S-Class, which I discovered has a much less helpful trunk than a Honda Civic. Versus the cross-town rival BMW 7 Collection PHEV that sports activities an enormous trunk the identical measurement as its non-hybrid equal, it loses by a large margin. And in comparison with the EQS? The reply to that’s “LOL.” On paper, the EQS has 22 cubic ft (!), and though evaluating the quantity of hatchbacks and sedans is just not beneficial, the distinction continues to be immense.
I didn’t do a baggage take a look at with the S580e (sorry?), however the primary perpetrator of trunk shrinkage is clearly a a lot greater ground. I struggled to make a pair of tall reusable grocery baggage match upright, so it could not have seemed good for my largest baggage. All my baggage wouldn’t have match as they barely did within the S550.
So whereas the S580e’s fuel engine makes it higher (or no less than simpler) for street journeys, its cargo capability makes it worse. You’ll have all of the area inside for 4 individuals to journey in opulence, however they’ll have to pack on the sunshine facet … and probably with small, soft-sided baggage.
15. Another factor in regards to the seems to be
By no means thoughts comparisons to the EQS, I believe the S-Class seems to be sensational, interval. I drove previous a brand new BMW 7 Collection, all murdered out in matte black paint, and it simply didn’t look costly in any respect. This S580e? Additionally in black and in addition with black wheels? Lovely, elegant, cool.