Mercedes and Rolls-Royce to Roll Out Green Luxury Cars?

If you prefer your ride to be sleek, super-sophisticated and ultra-luxurious, you’re in luck! Two automakers may be adding eco-friendly vehicles to their line of luxury in the near future.

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept:

Unveiled earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes Vision S 500 concept is a follow-up to the successful S 400 hybrid, touted as the “most fuel-efficient, luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine.”

Engineers are busy working on the efficient plug-in hybrid. According to the company press release,  the visionary concept car is capable of traveling up to nearly 19 miles in its all-electric mode.

Combining safety, comfort and performance, this marks the first “three-litre car” in the premium class. The car’s V6 engine connects to an advanced, higher-performing lithium-ion battery - over 10 kWh - located behind the rear seats. The car’s plug-in battery can be charged at charging stations. A full charge takes less than 5 hours, while the rapid charge cycle takes less than an hour. A compact onboard charger, housed behind the side boot wall, controls the recharging process. Additional energy is also provided when the car is in motion through regenerative braking.

Rolls-Royce Phantom EV:

According to various reports, an all-electric version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan is under consideration and may be released within the next year.

While details are sketchy, rumor has it Rolls-Royce will include a heavy lithium-ion battery pack in the all-electric sedan. Despite the weight of the vehicle, over 5,700 pounds, the additional weight of the battery pack would probably not be an issue.   And since many Rolls Royce owners drive their car short distances, range probably won’t be much of an issue either.   The price for the 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom base sedan starts at around $380,000.   Only a small number of Phantom EVs would probably be initially released.

The Phantom EV and Vision S 500 is luxury at it’s finest – with a bit of green.

Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce