What happens when Mercedes adds a hybrid drivetrain to its largest sedan?

#5. Can a V6 and a small electric motor really be enough?

Our answer is “definitely.” Although the electric motor adds a nominal 20 hp, its 118 lb-ft. of torque come in handy when launching this 4,474-pound sedan from a stop. The S400's combined output of 295 hp and 284 lb-ft. of torque falls well short of the V8-powered S550 (382 hp and 391 lb-ft., respectively). But on the road, the S400 has more than enough passing power without ever feeling strained. Steering is perfectly linear and the air suspension with adaptive damping snuffs out excessive body roll and front-end dive. Mercedes clocks the S400's zero-to-60 time at 7.2 seconds (compared with the S550's 5.4 ticks), but an S-Class isn't built for naught-to-60 scrambles.

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Research
Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Price Quote