STUTTGART, Germany — The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid, which the automaker describes as a 'technological trend setter,' will go on sale in September 2009 in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran told Inside Line on Wednesday.Moran would not say how much the German automaker's first hybrid car model will cost here. 'That information will be available closer to launch,' he said. Mercedes-Benz issued a statement that the S400 BlueHybrid will go on sale in Europe in June 2009 and in China in August 2009.The new S400 BlueHybrid, which was spun off the S350, gets a high-voltage lithium-ion battery which Mercedes-Benz notes was developed for automotive use. 'This is another major contribution by Mercedes-Benz to the electrification of the car,' it said. ' is the first such unit worldwide to be introduced in a series-production vehicle.'The S400 BlueHybrid combines a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor linked to a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. Combined horsepower is pegged at 299 with a maximum torque of 284 pound-feet. The S400 BlueHybrid sprints from zero to 60 mph in less than 7.2 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. CO2 emissions are reduced by 21 percent versus the standard S350.The instrument cluster in the new hybrid has a central display showing energy flow during boost and battery-charge status.In a separate development, Daimler announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has approved up to $1,800 in tax credits for buyers of the ML320 Bluetec, the R320 Bluetec and the GL320 Bluetec.What this means to you: If you're going green, this high-tech offering from Mercedes-Benz may be at the top of your shopping list next year — if the price is right. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent