This week, Mercedes-Benz took the covers off the latest-generation 2021 S-Class and in the process, detailed a plethora of variants that will be offered. In Europe, these include diesel S450, S500, S350d, S350d 4Matic and S400d 4Matic models, including petrol S450 and S500 models.
One variant not discussed so much detail is the Mercedes-Benz S580e, a plug-in hybrid model that will be sold in European markets. A North American debut isn’t on the table yet, with a Mercedes USA spokesperson telling CNET that the company hasn’t “communicated anything regarding S-Class plug-in hybrids variants for the US at this time.”
Driving this model is the same turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine fitted on the S500 but it now operates alongside a gearbox-mounted electric motor and a 28 kWh battery pack making for a combined 510 hp.
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That’s a serious amount of grunt that gives this variant the edge over the mild-hybrid S500 4MATIC that has 429 hp and even the S580 4Matic that will be offered in the United States. The latter features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system making for a combined 496 hp.
An added advantage of the S580e comes in the form of 62 miles (100 km) over driving on battery power alone, as per the European WLTP test cycle.
It remains unclear if the Mercedes-Benz S580e will be sold anywhere other than Europe but we wouldn’t be shocked to see it sold elsewhere. After all, S-Class customers around the world will likely appreciate the power, fuel efficiency, and all-electric driving range of the S580e.
The first examples of the new Mercedes S-Class are set to hit U.S. shores in the first quarter of 2021. In addition to the aforementioned S580 model with the twin-turbo V8, U.S. customers will also be offered an S500 variant with a turbocharged inline-six rated at 429 hp and 384 lb-ft (521 Nm).
