Mercedes S350 Bluetec – Can Diesel be the New Alternative?

Mercedes-Benz S-Class might not be regarded sporty enough to match rivals in the segment, namely the Audi A8, the BMW 7-Series or even the Porsche Panamera; however the S-Class is widely revered as a flagship sedan which standardized the aspect of luxury among its contemporaries. A drive on the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid will definitely make you fall in love with the luxuriously designed interiors, however there is a strong suspicion to the aspect of the car’s commitment to the environment, a key factor for attracting consumers towards hybrid cars.

The S400 Hybrid might be the least priced S-Class one gets to purchase; however competitors operating on gas, namely the Panamera or the Audi A8, which have been rated similarly by the Environmental Protection Agency, are available at considerably lower base prices. So, one often wonders why consumers go for the S-400, is it only for it being the cheapest in S-Class segment or they think that a ‘hybrid’ tag is sufficient to ensure that the vehicle conforms to environmental needs.

The skepticism has increased more with the news that of introduction of the Mercedes S350 Bluetec, which is going to be powered by diesel. The S350 Bluetec’s base pricing has been set at $92,550; thus making it just $700 dearer than the S-400. However the S350 Bluetec is expected to give you a much better fuel economy, and it also comes to the consumers in a standard all-wheel drive.

Estimates on the aspects of fuel economy for the Mercedes S350 Bluetec is that it would travel 21 mpg in city roads and 31 mpg on highways, which greatly surpasases the Hybrid’s performance of 19/25 mpg on city/highway. As per estimates of the EPA, a person is likely to make savings of $358 a year with the S350 Bluetec; however cash saving would not be a prime factor for any person capable of affording an S-Class. The factor of convenience would play an important role in shaping purchase decisions, as the S350 Bluetec is expected to travel an additional 86 miles per fuel tank, in comparison to the Hybrid model.

Also, the factor of all-wheel drive being standardized in the Mercedes S350 Bluetec; would increase its appeal to consumers living in high snowfall areas. All-wheel drive is an optional availability on the S400; which makes it pricier by $550; one needs to actually shell out an additional extra $3,000 to get the same.

So, there seems to be no reason whatsoever for not recommending the new S350 Bluetec to the shoppers against the S400 Hybrid model. The S350 Bluetec is one of the best fuel-efficient cars in the super luxury segment; together with the Porsche Panamera. It indeed looks now that the stables of Mercedes has created a winner with the S350 Bluetec; time will only tell how the competition is going to react to this beauty in the super luxury segment.

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