Mercedes-Benz Sets September '09 On-Sale Date in U.S. For S400 Hybrid Sedan

Mercedes-Benz Sets September '09 On-Sale Date in U.S. For S400 Hybrid Sedan

We told you earlier that Mercedes-Benz would launch its first passenger car hybrid, the S400 BlueHybrid, in the U.S. late next year.

Now the German luxury-vehicle maker has nailed down the date: September, 2009.
Mercedes spokesman Rob Moran gave Edmunds Inside Line the word earlier today.

Now all we have to do is get the company to cough up the price, which Moran said won't be released until closer to the on-sale date.

Mercedes fans overseas will be able to buy the new hybrid sooner than U.S. customers: it goes on sale in Europe in June of '09 and in China in August.

The car is a spin-off of the S350, and combines that model's 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. The system's combined 299 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque is delivered to the wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmisson.

Combined city-highway fuel economy is an estimated 29.7 mpg.

No word yet on tax credits for the hybrid S400 sedan, but the feds earlier approved credits of up to $1,800 for purchasers of Mercedes' ML320, GL320 and RL320 hybrid SUVs.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.