New 2017 Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid to get wireless charging

Next generation Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid flagship to get clever new charging system, while diesel PHEV will join it

Mercedes S-Class facelift front

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid will feature high tech wireless charging, according to Jochen Strenkert, Mercedes' man responsible for hybrid powertrains. 

Speaking to Auto Express before the Geneva Motor Show, Strenkert revealed that Mercedes is working in collaboration with arch rival BMW to develop the new tech, sharing the high cost of the new system. 

We’ll see the new S-Class plug-in hybrid in summer 2017, while the car will feature Mercedes’ latest third generation hybrid powertrain, boasting a bigger battery pack.

“We already have a working prototype,” Strenkert revealed, adding that “battery capacity is predicted to double every five years, so the next S-Class plug-in will also have an increased range.”

Best luxury cars to buy now

The current S500e boasts a 20-mile all-electric range, so the next car will nearly double this. Despite the lack of a wired connection to top up the improved battery pack, Strenkert also pointed out that the wireless system will offer recharge times comparable to cable charging.

The wirelessly charged S-Class will play a big part in Mercedes’ hybrid product offensive, with a range of 10 PHEVs by 2017 supported by a new 500m euro battery factory in Germany, announced in Geneva.

It’ll be joined by a new plug-in version of the latest 2.0-litre turbodiesel in the firm’s new E-Class, while Strenkert also highlighted that “all of Mercedes’ new four and six-cylinder engines have been designed with hybrid powertrains in mind.”

Get all the news from the 2016 Geneva Motor show here...

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Recommended

New Renault 5 E-Tech: retro-inspired EV surfaces online ahead of 2024 Geneva Motor Show reveal
Renault 5 EV patent design - front
News

New Renault 5 E-Tech: retro-inspired EV surfaces online ahead of 2024 Geneva Motor Show reveal

Long-awaited all-electric reboot of the iconic Renault 5 will be fully unveiled on 26 February 2024
7 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
It’s official - Geneva Motor Show is back on
Geneva Motor Show
News

It’s official - Geneva Motor Show is back on

Geneva Motor Show will return in 2024 after this year’s event was cancelled
13 Oct 2023
Mercedes S-Class review
Mercedes S-Class S 580 e - front cornering
In-depth reviews

Mercedes S-Class review

The once imperious quality of the Mercedes S-Class may have slipped a little, but the technical highlights are typically eye-catching
4 Oct 2023

Most Popular

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
7 Dec 2023