2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Complete Overview

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Complete Overview.
(October 18th, 2009 by BenzOnly - Exclusive Editorial Review)

    There is only one car in the World that does not need to follow a good example. Instead – it sets an example for others to follow. It sets the Standard for the Ground-breaking Innovation, Technology, Awesome Power, Safety, Performance and everything else what the car should be. 2010 Mercedes-Benz S Class does not need to wish to be something else – it just needs to follow its own evolution of being the industry’s flagship.

    Hybrid:
    2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has expanded its stable. New S400 Hybrid Sedan has joined the World famous S550 and S600 models. Mercedes-Benz had an objective to create a less “thirsty” S-Class model, but without giving up any of the legendary S-Class safety, performance and luxury features. The result is the first series production automobile in the World with a lithium-ion battery. S400 Hybrid has the same body, the same trunk and the same dimensions as other S’s, but became 26% (!) more fuel efficient, than S550.

    Power:
    Less “thirsty” S-Class possess ultra-low emissions and high efficiency, but “thirst”, as we know, leads to a bit of “dehydration”, which leads to a bit of “loss of power” – to be precise: S400 Hybrid has 87 Horsepower less than S550 and as a result almost 2 seconds slower from 0 to 60 miles per hour (1.8 sec). It squeezes a total of 295 Horsepower combined from both: 3.5 liter V6 engine and electric motor. On the bright side – 295 Horses is still a very respectable number. Automatic engine stop-start system and sophisticated technology that recuperates power during braking, produces outstanding fuel economy for the car of its class. To compare the complete S Class features visit BenzOnly.com S-Class page.

    Body Style:
    2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrids body design comes in 2 styles: Standard or Sport. Standard style is a bold reminiscent of the classic S-Class DNA – it shows an authoritative presence on the road with an even more striking front grille that leads flawlessly into an all-new, chiseled bumper. Latest, aerodynamic side mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators match the modern contour. Chrome trim strips, which are extended from bumper to bumper, emphasize the long wheel base. From the rear, wraparound LED tail lamps underline the wide S-Class posture, and rear bumper features integrated trapezoidal exhaust tips.

    Sport Design:
    At first, it seems to be silly to add an optional Sport Package or Sport Package Plus One – to improve the performance of the S400 Hybrid. Logically, it would make a lot more sense to go with S550, which is not much more expensive, but more powerful with better acceleration and handling. However on the second thought, there may be a need from the esthetical point of view. Sport Package changes the overall sculpture of the car from bold to exotically sporty. BenzOnly.com recommends seeing it in person to decide if it’s worth to pay for.

    Transmission:
    Dual-mode 7-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift has a wide range of closely spaced gears that can distribute the ideal gear ratio for nearly every driving condition. It results in smoother cruising, instantaneous response for acceleration and passing, and improved fuel efficiency. Transmission offers selectable Sport and Comfort modes independent of the vehicle's AIRMATIC suspension setting.

    AIRMATIC air suspension with Adaptive Damping System (ADS):
    AIRMATIC suspension of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class utilizes electronically controlled air springs that automatically adjust to changing driving conditions. The system lowers the body at higher speeds to “hug” the road for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, also levels the vehicle to balance for an additional cargo or passenger weight, which makes handling of a big and heavy car - a breeze.

    Active Body Control (ABC) - optional:
    Mercedes-Benz describes ABC as “arguably the most advanced suspension system in production”. ABC almost eliminates the possibility of the body-roll during cornering. A chain of sensors and electronically controlled high-pressure hydraulics neutralize the effects of roll, vibration, pitch, dive, and squat. ABC stiffens the outer suspension and lowers the inner suspension for improved control and passenger comfort.

    Safety:
    In the safety department, 2010 S-Class simply over-delivers (!) At BenzOnly.com we can write a whole 1,000 pages book just about the safety technology of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It’s not in vain, that S-Class is still the number 1 choice of the most influential people, World leaders, Kings and Queens. However we’ll give you some highlights.

    Body Structure:
    The legendary Mercedes-Benz body structure consists of High Strength – Low Alloy and Ultra High Strength Low Alloy Steel. Advanced front and rear crumple zones deform to absorb the energy of an impact in the pre-programmed way - to channel the forces of an impact away and around the driver and passengers(!)

    Airbag Protection:
    The S400 Hybrid Sedan provides 10-way occupant protection through a sophisticated, 8-airbag restraint system that includes dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags and full-length Window Curtain Airbags.

    PRE-SAFE:
    If a cat falls from a tree – he will spread all of his 4 legs as wide as possible creating a gliding effect. This will prepare him for an impact with the ground to be as soft as possible, considering the circumstances, and cat will always land on the legs – not back. Mercedes-Benz PRE-SAFE system is a similar “guts feeling” reaction to the imminent danger of an impact, based on the current behavior of the car. If sensors detect vehicle movements that indicate an accident is expected, Pre-Safe takes measures to help secure the cabin. PRE-SAFE can tighten the front seat belts and adjust the front passenger seat for optimal air-bag deployment. With the optional Rear-Seat Package, it also adjusts the rear seats and raises the rear headrests from the folded position to help protect against the "head whiplash”. If sensors detect severe skidding that indicates a rollover is likely, PRE-SAFE closes the windows and sunroof. In models equipped with Drive-Dynamic Multicontour front seats, the outboard air chambers of the seat cushions and seatbacks inflate to help laterally support the belted driver and front passenger(!)

    DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE Brake – optional:
    This system utilizes two onboard Radar systems to monitor the vehicle ahead and adjust your speed to help maintain a preselected following distance between your car and the car ahead of you. DISTRONIC PLUS reduces the need to frequently adjust the cruise control setting, also making stop-and-go traffic more enjoyable by allowing you to move ahead with just a flick of the cruise-control stalk. If the car ahead suddenly slows down or stops, the PRE-SAFE Brake system automatically applies up to 40% of the available braking power and primes the brakes to deliver full power the instant you step on the brake pedal. If the brakes have not been applied within 0.6 seconds of calculated impact, PRE-SAFE Brake will automatically engage them at 100% strength, while the DISTRONIC Proximity Warning System will issue an audiovisual warning if the calculated closing speed indicates that insufficient braking power has been applied by the driver(!)

    Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETD):
    If an impact surpasses a preset threshold, the ETDs immediately tighten the seat belts. Belt force limiters allocate a slight amount of give-in the seat belts and reduce the peak seat-belt forces on the occupants.

    ATTENTION ASSIST driver drowsiness monitor – optional:
    Mercedes-Benz S-Class ATTENTION ASSIST constantly monitors the vehicle's operation based on 70 different parameters (!) and automatically gives audible and visual warnings if it notices signs of driver drowsiness. If you sneeze – the car will say: “Bless you!” The second part was a joke.

    PARKTRONIC with Parking Guidance – optional:
    Mercedes-Benz calls it: “the next best thing to a personal valet”. This system assists you to identify correctly sized parking spaces and helps to maneuver into them. It uses ultrasonic sensors on the front and a rear bumper to verify if available spots can fit your vehicle, while Parking Guidance displays steering instructions to make the space yours. During parking, the system utilizes those sensors to detect nearby objects that might not be in your view, using audible signals and illuminated displays to help you pull in with confidence.

    Electronic Stability Control (ESC):
    If (ESC) identifies wheel-spin, harsh under-steer (plowing) or over-steer (fishtailing), it can brake individual wheels (!) and decrease engine power to help bring the vehicle under control.

    Brake Assist (BAS) and Brake Assist Plus (BAS Plus):
    Mercedes-Benz research showed that drivers rarely press the brakes hard enough and soon enough in the emergency situations. BAS observes the brake pedal pressure and speed of the car, if it senses an emergency, it will deliver the maximum stopping power. Models with Distronic Plus Adaptive Cruise Control also offer BAS Plus and PRE-SAFE Brake. PRE-SAFE Brake features BAS Plus, which uses Distronic radar technology to automatically prime the brakes for hard braking by the driver.

    Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination– optional:
    They turn along with your steering wheel. They deliver higher visibility than halogen headlamps because their bright- white light is similar to a natural sunlight. They provide a clearer view into corners by increasing illumination by up to 90% over conventional fixed headlamps thanks to active-curve illumination technology.

    Night View Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection – optional:
    This system utilizes infrared technology to detect objects and human forms in the dark up to almost 500 and 300 feet. It displays in sharp black and white hi-resolution COMAND screen. The system features sophisticated software that allows it to distinguish human forms and highlight them with brackets.

    Blind Spot Assist – optional:
    When the vehicle is driving above 18 mph this system utilizes radar technology to automatically alert the driver through a red hazard signal in the vehicle's side mirrors when it senses another vehicle entering the blind-spot area. Also, if the turn signal is switched for making a lane change and the system senses a vehicle, an audible warning is set off as well.

    Toys:
    This car has so many toys that you would need a couple of months to get to know them. You don’t really need to know all of them, but if you need something in the future to add to your car – the chances are: you already have it! Here are a few: COMAND system with Enhanced Voice Control, Hard-drive navigation with Zagat Survey, Points of Interest and even restaurant, hotel and golf-course reviews, Integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calling, Adaptive High beam Assist, 8-inch COMAND screens, iPod/MP3 media interface, Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 digital surround-sound system, Rear Seat Entertainment Package with 2 LCD’s and DVD, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with real-time SIRIUS Traffic etc… For complete specifications download brochure in www.BenzOnly.com S-Class Page.

    Bottom Line:
    2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid looses in almost every category to S550, except Safety (which is equal to S550). It is a little less expensive, but not much. It will save money on a gasoline down the road, but if you are shopping for the car of this price range – this is the last thing to consider. S550 is clearly a better choice. However, if you are not committed to the World class performance of S550 (S400 Hybrids performance is very decent anyway) you may consider the environment, since S400 Hybrid has an ultra-low emissions and is eligible for a one-time tax credit of up to $1,150. BenzOnly.com lets you decide.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Photos, Models, Options and Brochures.
2010 Mercedes-Benz Financial Specials.
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