Even wealthy consumers are interested in fuel economy, and green credibility, in the wake of a summer of $4 gas.  Business Week reports that Mercedes-Benz "is finally poised to get into the hybrid game," not with its entry-level models, but with its flagship S-Class sedan.  "In June 2009 the company will begin European sales of a hybrid version of its luxury S-Class that, its engineers say, will use 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (or get 29.8 miles per gallon). Launches in the U.S. and China will follow In September."  The price of green German luxury has not yet been announced.

Autoblog Green reports, "The S400 will use a lithium-ion battery pack and will likely be the first from a major automaker to do so."  That battery will aid a 3.5-liter V6 engine."

The S-Class is known as one of the world's most luxurious rides.  A large sedan with small-car handling, it comes complete with seats composed of 14 separate air chambers that inflate and deflate to cradle passengers as the big car turns.  It will be the second ultra-luxury hybrid on the market.  The Lexus LS600h is currently in showrooms.  Autoblog Green reports that "the Mercedes should get significantly better fuel economy than the Lexus. Mercedes is claiming 29.8 mpg (U.S.) for the hybrid."

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