The new Mercedes S500 plugin hybrid will, according to Mercedes, get 72.5 miles per gallon.  The hybrid car has the ability to travel 18 miles on electric only, but it’s not an extended range electric vehicle – like the Chevy Volt or the Fisker Karma.

The hybrid has a 6 cylinder gasoline engine for it’s main powerplant.  That engine is integrated with a 44 kw (60 hp) electric motor. There is a rechargeable 10 kw usable lithium ion battery pack mounted in the rear. Mercedes points out that this battery location is “crucial” to maintain weight balance and allow a substantial size for the gas tank.

The heavy car can go from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds.  It drives purely on electricity when possible but the gas engine will go on any time power demands increase sufficiently such as with strong acceleration and hill climbing.

The on-board charger allows recharge in 4.5 hours at 120 V but is capable of accepting a fast charge at 20 kW in 60 minutes.