(October 12, 2018) STUTTGART, Germany — The third generation of the plug-in hybrid from Mercedes-Benz is due to be launched. The new S 560 e can now be ordered. The modified components and the intelligent powertrain management's new anticipatory functions give the customer enhanced electric performance and, last but not least, added convenience thanks to faster charging times.

In the luxury sedan — available exclusively with a long wheelbase — the efficiency of the 9G-TRONIC plug-in-hybrid transmission and a new lithium-ion battery are good for an all-electric range of around 31 miles. The hybrid drive system in the S 560 e combines the 270 kW (367 hp) of the V6 gas engine with 90 kW of EQ Power to deliver a maximum system output of up to 350 kW. The vehicle launch is scheduled for this month.

Prices start at 96,065 euro ($111,435).

Plug-in hybrids are a key technology on the road to a locally emission-free future for the automobile. They offer customers the benefits of two worlds — in town they run in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the range of the combustion engine. They make the vehicle more efficient overall because they can firstly recover energy and secondly allow the combustion engine to run in favorable operating ranges. Mercedes-Benz is driving forward with the development of its plug-in hybrids under the motto EQ Power.

The highly efficient battery system in the S-Class comes, for the first time, from the wholly owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE. The DC/DC converter previously housed separately in the luggage compartment is now installed in the power electronics housing. Despite an increase of around 50 percent in its energy content, the dimensions of the new battery are smaller than those of its predecessor.

Thanks to a water-cooled on-board charger with a capacity of 7.4 kW, the battery can be charged from 10 to 100 percent about 1.5 hours at a Wallbox (Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new generation of these, too) if the full power is used. The same is possible in around five hours even at a conventional domestic power socket.

The four operating modes of the hybrid powertrain management and the five driving programs selectable by the driver control the interaction of the technology, meaning that the driver always has the final decision regarding whether to use the dynamic combination of engine and electric motor or opt for the luxury saloon's supremely efficient mode. In the case of the latter, the management system activates the combustion engine as little as possible and also ensures optimum distribution of the battery charge for the current route.

To this end, the ECO Assist uses the data from all the driving assistance systems, including the navigation system, and indicates to the driver when it is best to come off the accelerator, both on the display and by means of the resistance point on the accelerator pedal. The reward is many miles driven without the combustion engine, which means all the more opportunity to enjoy the unique comfort of the S-Class.