Gasoline-electric hybrid technology has had an obvious and dramatic impact on the automobile industry. While nearly every major manufacturer either has hybrid vehicles available, or will in the near future, the luxury hybrid market is a relatively new segment. When catering to the luxury market, automakers have typically delivered vehicles with raw power and speed—a huge, 6-liter V-12 gasoline engine is not uncommon. But automakers have noticed that luxury buyers, who usually aren’t too concerned about economy, are nonetheless increasingly interested in hybrids for a different reason: They, like nearly every other market segment, want to drive eco-friendly vehicles. Some of the high-end luxury auto manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley have yet to release a hybrid vehicle to the public, but many other companies have models available now. Here I take a look at some of the major players’ most recent and upcoming contributions to the field of hybrid luxury sedans.
Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid – Joining the flagship S-series with a starting price of $87,950, the S400 is the least expensive S-series sedan offered by Mercedes-Benz USA. Combining a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and an electric motor, the “Mild-Hybrid” power plant cranks out 295 horsepower and 284 ft-lbs of torque while providing 21 mpg.* The dual-mode 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters gracefully applies power to the rear wheels. The many luxury accoutrements we’ve come to expect from Mercedes-Benz are well-represented here, including a 600-watt, 14-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system with a 20GB hard drive.
Lexus LS 600h L – Self-billed as the world’s first premium luxury hybrid, Lexus’ hybrid sedan sports a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine combined with an electric motor and a continuously variable automatic transmission to put an impressive 438 horsepower to the road through all-wheel drive while maintaining 21 mpg economy. From headlamps designed to mimic Baccarat crystal to a 450-watt, 7.1-channel Mark Levinson sound system with 19 speakers, the LS has numerous high-end features that place it squarely into the luxury category. Base MSRP: $108,800.
BMW Active Hybrid 7 Photo Credit: BMW USA
BMW ActiveHybrid 750i – As the world’s fastest street-legal hybrid, the 750i (and the longer wheel-base 750iL) has a 4.4-liter Twin Turbo V8 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, a Lithium-ion battery and an 8-speed automatic transmission to generate a whopping 455 horsepower and still provide 21 mpg.* It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in a lightning-fast 4.7 seconds. 7-series luxury oozes from every Bavarian pore, including a 600-watt, 16-speaker sound system with a 12GB hard drive. Base MSRP for the ActiveHybrid 750i is $102,300.
Fisker Karma – While not a typical gasoline-electric hybrid, this exciting newcomer to the luxury hybrid sedan market deserves attention. The eye-catching $87,900 Karma made by Fisker Automotive is expected to hit showroom floors in September 2010. The Karma is an electric/plug-in hybrid that travels the first 50 miles of each trip on electricity alone. Beyond 50 miles, the gasoline engine fires up to recharge the Li-ion batteries. When you arrive home, simply plug the car in and let it charge overnight. Fisker claims “100 mpg achievable,” but points out that if you travel less than 50 miles a day, you’ll only need to fill up the Karma’s tank once a year (of course, your electric bill will be higher instead). The turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine has no direct mechanical connection to the drivetrain, but rather it acts as a generator for the electric motors that power the rear wheels. An optional solar roof discretely adds photovoltaic cells on top of the car to continually collect energy from the sun to charge the Karma’s batteries, providing an estimated 200 free miles of driving each year. With a hefty 403 horsepower, the sexy Karma is as exciting to drive as it is to look at. The Karma’s premium audio package includes a six-channel, 10-speaker, 5.1 surround system.
Audi A8 Hybrid – Debuting at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the 2011 A8 Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine and an electric motor for 245 horsepower and an impressive 345 ft-lbs of torque. The A8 Hybrid can accelerate from 0 to 62.14 mph I in 7.6 seconds, yet it still attains excellent economy with an average of 38 mpg.* As a member of Audi’s flagship A8/S8 family, it includes all of Audi’s finest luxury accommodations including either the standard 630-watt, 14-speaker Bose sound system, or the monstrous 1,460-watt Bang & Olufsen, 19-speaker system. Because we may not see the A8 Hybrid until late 2011, its base MSRP has not yet been announced.
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – At a much lower price point, the 2011 MKZ Hybrid sedan builds on the already stellar economy of the Ford Fusion platform, offering an impressive 41 mpg in the city. And since Lincoln is setting the base MSRP of the MKZ Hybrid at only $35,180, the same price as the traditional gasoline-powered version, you’ll get all that extra fuel efficiency at no extra cost. With standard features such as genuine walnut swirl and olive ash wood trims and the eco-friendly “Bridge of Weir” leather interior, the MKZ Hybrid offers more amenities than any car in its class. With the MKZ Hybrid, Lincoln continues its age-old tradition of luxury, while its affordability is better than ever.
Infiniti M35 Hybrid – The 2012 M35 Hybrid, expected to arrive in the spring of 2011, promises nearly double the fuel economy of the current gasoline version, although exact numbers are still unreleased. The M35 Hybrid will utilize a Li-ion battery and a 47-horsepower electric motor to complement the 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine. Infiniti (Nissan) engineers have reported that the M35 is capable of driving in electric-only mode nearly 50 percent of the time, and with the always classy M-series exterior, this Japanese contender should attract some attention. Luxury specifics are still uncertain but should be comparable to today’s M35 sedan. The base MSRP is expected to be set at around $55,000.
Acura – With the recent announcement of the discontinuation of the RL series, our hopes to see a hybrid luxury sedan delivered from Acura in the near future have been dashed.
The social pressures to own an environmentally friendly vehicle and the desire to simply “do the right thing” have combined in the minds of luxury buyers, and automakers are responding with a new breed of luxury vehicles. Planet Earth takes a sigh of relief.
Next time I’ll take a look at current and upcoming hybrid SUVs.
* EPA estimated combined mpg
