Stripped-out S-Class hybrid from $195,000

Mercedes-Benz has revealed that its hybrid-engined S-Class is set to become the flagship limousine line-up’s cheapest model, but at a cost – it’ll come with a lower specification.

The S300 BlueTEC Hybrid will be priced from $195,000 when it goes on sale in June or July. However, to undercut the $215,000 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 S350 BlueTEC, the hybrid will come with less equipment.

The diesel-electric S-Class will feature the same 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine fitted to the smaller E300 BlueTEC Hybrid launched in Australia in July last year. That wears a $108,900 price tag before on-road costs and sits mid-way up the E-Class hierarchy.

However, while buyers forking out for the S350 BlueTEC will notice features such as a lane-keeping assistant that stops them straying off the road and an electrically operated bootlid, S300 BlueTEC Hybrid buyers are likely to miss out as Mercedes-Benz Australia juggles the features list to achieve the diesel-electric’s price.

What buyers will get is a 5.1 metre-long saloon weighing more than two tonnes, but officially burning only 4.5L/100km, and emitting 118 grams of CO2 every kilometre – just 0.2L/100km and 5g/km more than the E-Class version.

With the addition of the diesel-electric model, the S-Class range will grow to one hybrid, two diesel and three V8 petrol variants, topping out with the $385,000 S63 AMG.