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There isn’t any purely electrical model of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. If you would like one thing like that, you’ll must go together with the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan. The “one thing like that” is the essential bit there, as a result of the EQS is terribly totally different than the S-Class. Simply have a look at it, for one. Its design encompasses a wildly totally different physique fashion that features a huge hatchbacked trunk and a again seat that, whereas comparable by way of legroom, has much less headroom and fewer out there useful 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 moderately have this S-Class. Simply have a look at it, for one. Fortunately, in the event you’re pondering the identical factor, there may be 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 here 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 displaying 60 miles. That’s immense for a plug-in hybrid, and even 46 is nicely above common. Different PHEVs are normally within the 30s. This implies you’ll have the ability to drive round on electrical energy alone rather a lot longer, and presumably 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 fast facet, your predicted vary goes to drop quicker 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 complex! Then once more, that is an S-Class, so par for the course.
After recharging thrice in every week and happening 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 saved on displaying 999.99 mpg within the meter. Yay plug-in hybrids.
2. Not so certain in regards to the DC fast-charging choice
This S580e had the $500 DC fast-charging choice. The one different PHEV I’m conscious of that has that is the Mitsubishi Outlander. Truthfully, I’m undecided why you’d want it. The purpose of a PHEV is that you just don’t want to fret about public charging. And given the costs they cost, you’re probably not saving cash. I suppose there could possibly be some state of affairs, presumably whereas touring … however I can’t consider it.
It is fairly onerous to take an motion shot whereas driving, so right here is principally the identical automobile in Germany
3. Acceleration is determined by a whole lot of components
Per common, there are totally different drive modes, however within the S580e’s case, they embrace 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 verify I actually was all-in on this “accelerating rapidly factor” earlier than bringing on-line the sophisticated inline-six.
Fortunately, that inline-six sounds nice, with a lovely 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 have to 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 sequence of huge pavement undulations. Mainly, there’s an undulation on the left, adopted by one on the appropriate, then one other on the left. Because the strong white line continues to be current, you may’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, “Whereas driving, a classy sensor system and algorithms set the dampers in line with the standard of the highway to make sure that, for instance, driving over a bump with only one wheel will not be transmitted to your complete axle and the inside.” Bingo! It positively works!
And that’s simply the usual setup. This automobile didn’t have the non-compulsory E-Lively Physique Management, which, amongst different abilities, scans the highway forward and preemptively units the suspension to finest deal with any unpleasantness. I can solely think about what it could’ve accomplished with these onramp bumps.
5. Ahoy!
Talking of that outdated CL 65, one of many issues I liked about that automobile, and each different huge 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 good. I dig it.
6. It has a hood decoration!
And never solely can you are feeling that pitch, you may see it for the reason that S-Class nonetheless has a hood decoration. Gotta adore it. My 3-year-old son requested me what that factor is, and I defined it thusly:
“You see, vehicles used to have one thing referred to as radiators proper in entrance of the automobile that you just poured water into to maintain the engines cool. There was a cap on the radiator water, um, gap and automobile corporations put fancy ornaments on high of these radiator caps. Ultimately, vehicles didn’t want radiator grilles like that, however individuals nonetheless favored the ornaments, so that they stayed for a very long time after. There aren’t many round anymore, although.”
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 might not have a radiator grille, but it surely does have a whole lot of crap inside its grille. There’s that huge plastic protect and a digicam asymmetrically positioned. Frankly, it doesn’t look nice.
8. It doesn’t have a HYPERSCREEN. Good.
Shifting inside, the S-Class will not be out there with the HYPERSCREEN(!) out there within the EQS. That’s simply high-quality. Not solely does the sprint look higher, however the display screen itself is of a wonderfully acceptable measurement, and the performance is identical.
Additionally, whereas definitely sophisticated, 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 consistently. MBUX? By no means.
9. The instrument panel can look a bajillion alternative 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 in the event you’re not going to go all-out with selections like this. See the Mustang’s Fox Physique choice as one other nice instance.
You’ll be able to see a number of the numerous designs within the gallery above, however be aware that altering the ambient lighting additionally modifications the shade 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 undecided who Mercedes thought 64-color ambient lighting with a large number of further multi-color lighting ideas was for, however I can inform you that 3-year-old boys LOVE it. Each week I get a new automobile, my son asks if it “modifications totally different colours?” Often, he’s upset. It’s not a coincidence that Mercedes is his favourite form of automobile moreover “blue truck.”
11. Oh, however the ambient lighting will get higher!
BUT! Not solely are there all these totally different shade 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 pink.”
“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 Seaside” 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 cellphone 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 choose to make use of wired because of the lowered battery calls for in addition to efficiency points. Apart from, even when your passenger simply needed 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 don’t need 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 just a few minutes. Additionally they made becoming my son’s automobile seat harder than it must be, however I can at the least 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 could be the draw back to the S580e. It has solely 8.1 cubic toes of area, which is coupe territory. That’s 4 cubic toes 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 toes (!), and though evaluating the quantity of hatchbacks and sedans will not be advisable, 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 luggage match upright, so it could not have seemed good for my largest luggage. All my luggage wouldn’t have match as they barely did within the S550.
So whereas the S580e’s gasoline engine makes it higher (or at the least simpler) for highway 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 must pack on the sunshine facet … and presumably with small, soft-sided luggage.
15. Another factor in regards to the seems to be
By no means thoughts comparisons to the EQS, I feel 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 likewise with black wheels? Stunning, elegant, cool.
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