23 litres per 100km, built for the city?

Currently most of my driving is done in the city and often for short distances. After putting in approximately 40 litres I drove 171km before my fuel light came on recently. That roughly means I've been consuming 23l/100km or getting 12mpg ( 10mpg US ). Luckily I don't have to drive great distances or all that often.

While the 560 can achieve reasonably acceptable fuel economy on the highway the figures for the city can be rather discouraging. You do have to look at is this way though, while the 560 is at home on the wide and open highway, the driver can be at home inside the 560 during the worst of city traffic. Why be in a hurry to get home and relax when you are already relaxed in the car? Typical drivers sprint from one intersection to another, while the S-class driver can glide from red light to red light in comfort and dignity and make it home in the same amount of time.

Gear changes can happen at rpms as low as 1500rpm, meaning the engine rarely does any real work. A topographical sensor knows when the car is on an incline and will stop you from rolling back the slightest amount when stopped on a steep incline. From a stand still second gear is used to start reducing wheel spin and offering smooth acceleration.

So all in all, you could argue that you don't get to enjoy the feel of a Mercedes at high speed, but low speed driving in a Mercedes can be equally as enjoyable. It gives you a moment to realise just how well the 560 SEL is put together and just how capable the car can be.