The idea of hybridisation is globally penetrating into the minds of car engineers. Now it’s time to develop a hybrid modification of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The batteries of the S500 Plug-In Hybrid model use a standard home wall socket and are powered by electricity. The electric motor is coupled with a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 330 hp.
In his interview to Top Gear, Uwe Ernstberger, representative of the car maker, stated that the future of car industry belongs to “thoroughbred” electric cars.
So the engineers from the Mercedes-Benz auto group are actually working on creating that future by developing a complete electric S-Class. It is true to say that they have to face several problems here. First of all, it concerns the characteristics of modern batteries. Batteries, which are intended for a rather heavy sedan, should provide long distance travel and also power all additional equipment of an S-class responsible for creating the boasted comfort of these cars. This question has not been solved yet postponing the production of an electric Mercedes limousine.
Many companies work diligently on designing and producing hybrid vehicles after coming to the right conclusion that the future lies in them. It’s the hybrids which serve as technology flagships even of such sports car brands as Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren. Meanwhile, Lamborghini's CEO Stephan Winkelmann expresses a critical point of view and says he is not going to allow hybridisation of his models: “As long as the current technologies allow, we will stay true to our DNA”.
