Four years after the market launch of the W221 model series, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Trailblazing innovations in the areas of comfort and drive engineering combined with state-of-the-art technology for enhanced safety consolidate the Mercedes-Benz flagship's position as the brand's innovation driver and underscore its pioneering role in the automotive industry as a whole. The technology highlights include the world's first standard production hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery in the S400 HYBRID, which makes the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz model the most economical petrol-engine luxury saloon. The fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres corresponds to carbon dioxide emissions of just 186 grams per kilometre.

The engine range further includes eight modern petrol and diesel engines that require up to seven per cent less fuel. With an average fuel consumption of 7.6 litres of diesel, the S350 BlueEFFICIENCY is one of the most efficient models in the luxury segment. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class's traditionally exemplary standard of safety is further enhanced by a unique combination of innovative camera- and radar-based driver assistance systems which turn the luxury saloon into an "intelligent" partner on the road. These systems include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist and the advanced Night View Assist PLUS facility. Other innovations are the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection function and automatic crosswind stabilisation.

With 270,000 units sold since its market launch in autumn 2005, the W221-series Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the world's most successful luxury saloon, and seamlessly continues the success story of the flagship model in the Mercedes line-up. Since 1951, when the model 220 began the lineage of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has delivered around 3.3 million passenger cars from this model series to customers.

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid: the world's most economical petrol-engined luxury saloon.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class once again represents the cutting edge of automotive development. Mercedes-Benz's technology leadership is demonstrated by the new S400 Hybrid, which is the first production vehicle in the world to feature a hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery. "The S400 Hybrid is an important milestone on the way to emission-free mobility," notes Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Our first series production hybrid car exemplifies Mercedes-Benz's long-standing development strategy geared towards sustainability, with its clearly defined aim of producing economical and environment-friendly premium cars without compromising on safety, comfort and superior performance."

The first hybrid drive in a series production car from Mercedes-Benz makes this Mercedes-Benz S-Class model the most economical petrol-engined luxury saloon. The fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres corresponds to carbon dioxide emissions of just 186 grams per kilometre. This is the lowest level worldwide in this vehicle segment, confirming the new S400 Hybrid as the "CO2 champion of the luxury class".

The new Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is the first car to be designed on the basis of the highly intelligent modular concept developed by Mercedes-Benz to give its customers the best hybrid solution for their requirements. The S400 Hybrid, which assumes the role of technological trendsetter within this concept, offers all the essential features from the word go:

a compact yet powerful electric motor
the appurtenant power electronics
a modern high-capacity lithium-ion storage battery.

The compact hybrid module combines the hybrid functions of an automatic start-stop system and energy recuperation. In all, this means that the S400 Hybrid sets a new standard in its class, making it the world's most economical luxury saloon with a petrol engine.

The excellent fuel consumption and the low CO2 emissions of the S400 Hybrid are accompanied by truly superior performance potential: the modified 3.5 litre petrol engine generates 205 kW/279 hp, while the electric motor produces 15 kW/20 hp and starting torque of 160 Nm.

The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid is based on the S350, and features an extensively modified drive train. This encompasses a further development of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, an additional magneto-electric motor, the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission specially configured for the hybrid module, the necessary power and control electronics, the voltage converter and the high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

During braking the electric motor acts as a generator, and is able to recover kinetic energy by a process known as recuperation. During this process the electric motor works together sensitively with the engine brake of the internal combustion engine and the conventional wheel brakes. The recuperated energy is stored by a compact but efficient lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment, and retrieved when required. Major advantages over conventional nickel/metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density and greater electrical efficiency combined with more compact dimensions and a low battery weight. Thanks to space-saving installation in the engine compartment, the boot capacity and generous interior dimensions remain unchanged. The hybrid module also has a convenient start-stop function.

• Efficient diesel and petrol engines
• Unique combination of driver assistance systems
• Drowsiness detection on the basis of more than 70 parameters
• New: Active Body Control (ABC) compensates crosswinds
• State-of-the-art multimedia technology
• Design: a muscular, self-assured presence