Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid Debuts at 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the S500 Plug-in Hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show, pairing a turbocharged V6 with electric drive for 69g/km CO2 and 30km electric range.
Mercedes-Benz used the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show to launch the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, a new flagship version of its S-Class saloon that combines a turbocharged petrol V6 with a powerful electric motor and a plug-in charging system. The S500 Plug-in Hybrid promises 69g/km CO2 emissions and an all-electric range of up to 30 kilometres, making it the most efficient S-Class to date.
The S500 Plug-in Hybrid sits above the existing S400 Hybrid in the S-Class range and is the first Mercedes to pair a plug-in system with its modular hybrid platform. The 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 produces 328bhp and 480Nm, working with a 107bhp (80kW) electric motor delivering 340Nm. Total system output is 435bhp and 820Nm, channelled through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels.
Plug-in hybrid technology and battery details
Unlike the S400 Hybrid and S300 BlueTEC Hybrid, which rely on regenerative braking and the combustion engine to recharge their batteries, the S500 Plug-in Hybrid uses a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with ten times the energy capacity. The battery can be charged from an external source via a socket on the right side of the rear bumper, supporting the car’s 30km electric-only range. This approach allows for much lower official fuel consumption and emissions figures than previous S-Class hybrids.
Performance remains in line with S-Class expectations. The S500 Plug-in Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 250km/h. The hybrid system is designed to provide both electric-only driving for city use and full-system power for motorway cruising or rapid overtaking.
Position in the S-Class range and market context
By introducing a plug-in hybrid to the S-Class range, Mercedes-Benz is targeting buyers who want luxury and performance without the running costs or emissions of a large petrol saloon. The S500 Plug-in Hybrid’s efficiency figures place it below many smaller cars for CO2 output, despite its size and performance. This follows a wider industry trend at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, where plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles took centre stage alongside conventional and performance models. Mercedes also used the event to debut the S63 AMG, while rivals such as BMW and Porsche presented their own plug-in and electric models.
- 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine: 328bhp, 480Nm
- Electric motor: 107bhp, 340Nm
- Combined power: 435bhp, 820Nm
- High-voltage lithium-ion battery, plug-in charging
- 30km electric range (claimed)
- Combined fuel consumption: 3l/100km (NEDC)
- CO2 emissions: 69g/km (NEDC)
- 0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 250km/h (limited)
Hybrid S-Class and rivals at Frankfurt
The S500 Plug-in Hybrid’s debut came as part of a broader push by Mercedes-Benz to demonstrate its technical leadership in hybrid and electric drive at the Frankfurt show. The S-Class remains a benchmark for luxury saloons, and the addition of a plug-in hybrid strengthens its appeal in markets with strict emissions regulations or incentives for low-CO2 vehicles. For more on Mercedes’ Frankfurt launches, see the S63 AMG’s debut at the same show (/mercedes-benz-s63-amg-was-brought-to-frankfurt) and the S-Class Coupe Concept’s appearance (/video-mercedes-benz-s-class-coupe-concept-live-in-frankfurt).
