Mercedes-Benz "Road to the Future"

Fuel-Efficient And Environment-Friendly Premium Cars For The Future

For the near future, Mercedes-Benz is developing a unique variety of new, particularly economical and clean models, with intelligently combined drive technologies. At the 2008 North American International Auto Show, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer is presenting its ambitious goals for the future for the first time in America.

Cars with innovative modular technology combining diesel engine with BLUETEC emissions control technology and compact hybrid module, such as the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID and the ML 450 HYBRID fitted with a V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors, are important milestones on the "Road to the Future", which Mercedes-Benz has mapped out and which focuses uncompromisingly on sustainability. The development priorities along the way include modular drive technologies; first and foremost, optimized combustion engines with individually configured hybrid solutions that can be used individually or in combination, depending on the vehicle class, usage and customer.

ML 450 HYBRID – the most economical hybrid SUV in its class

The ML 450 HYBRID will be launched on the market in 2009 as world CO2 champion as it is the most economical SUV gasoline hybrid in its class in the whole world. Its innovative two-mode hybrid system makes it possible to drive powered entirely by electricity, while achieving the highest comfort levels. The V6 gasoline engine delivers 279 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque, the two-mode hybrid module with two electric motors develops 61 hp. A combined system output of 340 hp and a combined peak torque of 354 lb-ft give it effortlessly superior power, while offering its fuel consumption of just 7.7 liters per 100 km. This way the ML 450 HYBRID with all-wheel drive achieves CO2 emissions of only 185 g/km, a level unmatched by any other vehicle in its class anywhere in the world.

The two compact electric motors with a total output of 163 hp in the ML 450 HYBRID take up a lot less space in the vehicle than comparable systems, thus guaranteeing that this is an ideal package. The system, unique in its kind, with four fixed gears, combines the advantages of a multiple-speed automatic transmission with those of a stepless CVT transmission. The two electric motors are integrated in the innovative two-mode hybrid transmission of the ML 450 HYBRID. This drive is optimized both for urban and country roads. Voltage is supplied by a 288 V battery, which makes it possible to store considerable quantities of electrical energy. In interaction with an intelligent energy management system, this vehicle features all the full hybrid characteristics such as driving entirely under electric power, the start/stop function of the internal-combustion engine, boost effect and braking energy recovery.

Mercedes-Benz is thus offering a hybrid technology which guarantees low fuel consumption, effortlessly superior performance, the highest level of comfort and outstanding practicality – all with ample cargo volume. The two-mode hybrid also improves fuel consumption, especially at higher speeds, giving it a further advantage over other hybrid concepts available on the market.

S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID with 560 Nm torque at just 5.4 liters/100 km

The S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, scheduled to go into series production in 2010, underlines the tremendous savings potential and environmental compatibility of the modular technology concept from Mercedes-Benz involving a BLUETEC/ hybrid combination. This intelligent BLUETEC technology, developed by Mercedes-Benz, effectively reduces diesel vehicle emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides, making the compression-ignition engine one of the cleanest and most efficient drives in the world. The road to this objective was paved by Mercedes-Benz engineers, in part by optimizing the internal operation of the engine and also by means of an effective exhaust emissions treatment system fine-tuned to the engine. The system itself consists of an oxidation catalytic converter which reduces emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and an additive-free diesel particulate filter. All BLUETEC models from Mercedes-Benz have the potential to continue to comply with the strictest exhaust emission limits in the future too.

The S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID delivers 204 hp and a maximum torque of 480 Nm / 354 lb-ft from its new 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine, coupled to a 20 hp hybrid module. When combined with the standard-fit 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 149 mph. Even with this superior performance, fuel consumption stands at just 5.4 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to a mere 142 grams of CO2 per kilometre ‑ 57 grams, or some 30 percent, less than the current best sedan in the S-Class segment anywhere in the world.

The S-Class uses the version of BLUETEC with the AdBlue injection system. Thanks to this unique combination of BLUETEC and hybrid technology, which delivers the most economical and environmentally-compatible premium cars in the world, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID has the potential to meet the most stringent emissions standards applicable anywhere in the world, both now and in the future – for example, the European EU6 standard or the U.S. 50-state BIN5 standard.

Compact hybrid module with start/stop function

The compact hybrid module is a disc-shaped electric motor, which also serves as starter motor and generator. The system offers double benefits: on the one hand it helps in many ways to save fuel, while on the other hand it increases driving enjoyment even more.

The main reason for the increased driving enjoyment is what is known as the boost effect, whereby the electric motor supports the combustion engine during the high-consumption acceleration phase with a maximum extra torque of 160 Nm / 118 lb-ft. With this high torque the electric motor assists the combustion engine heartily when accelerating from very low engine speeds. As a result, the combustion engine itself needs less time and energy to build up its maximum torque. The only thing the driver notices from this synergy of the two power units is supremely effortless power output whenever he or she accelerates.

The hybrid module also features a convenient start/stop function which switches the engine off whenever the vehicle stops, for example at traffic lights. Once the vehicle begins moving, the electric motor starts the main engine again so gently that it goes virtually unnoticed. This of course also contributes to fuel savings and is kind to the environment: since the engine starts virtually immediately, practically no unburned fuel is discharged when accelerating. When decelerating, on the other hand, the electric motor functions as a generator, and can recover braking energy in what is known as the recuperation process. This energy is stored in a powerful but compact lithium-ion battery pack in the engine compartment, ready for use when required. The management of this complex system is governed by a powerful control unit, which is also installed close to the engine.

Strategy for the future

Future milestones in Mercedes-Benz eco-friendly strategy:

• As early as 2008, Mercedes-Benz will be launching the first three diesel SUVs in the world in the form of the R, ML and GL 320 BLUETEC, which will comply with the stringent U.S. 50-state BIN5 standard and future EU6 emissions standard.

• April 2008 will see the launch of the C 200 CDI in Europe, which according to NEDC ratings requires just 5.1 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre).

• The A 160 CDI is set to follow in Europe in June 2008 with fuel consumption of just 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of 119 grams per kilometre).

• Mercedes-Benz will also be launching the B 170 NGT in Europe in June 2008, the brand’s first compact model with natural-gas drive. Its CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre are some 20 per cent lower than those of a comparable gasoline model. Running costs have been cut by around a half.

• Mercedes-Benz will be launching its new generation of 4-cylinder diesel engine in Europe in 2009 in the shape of the C 250 BLUETEC. The strong, clean and extremely economical 2.2-liter powerplant delivers 150 kW/204 hp. The vehicle sets new standards in its output class with average fuel consumption of 4.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of only 130 grams per kilometre.

• 2009 will also see the launch of the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 HYBRID.

• In conjunction with the ML 450 HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz will launch an S‑Class with a gasoline hybrid engine. The S 400 HYBRID with 205 kW/279 hp and hybrid module delivers outstanding performance and fuel consumption of just 7.9 liters per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions: 190 grams per kilometre) in the NEDC cycle, making the S 400 HYBRID the most fuel-efficient luxury gasoline-powered sedan in the world, irrespective of whether competitors pit a gasoline, diesel or hybrid drive against it.

• Mercedes-Benz already has the largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles on the road in Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Australia. And even Iceland’s power utility sector already runs a fleet of A-Class F-Cell vehicles. In the summer of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will launch in Europe the first series-production car with a local zero-emission fuel-cell drive in the form of the B-Class Fuel Cell. The powerplant for this innovative vehicle will be a new-generation fuel-cell drive that is completely practical for everyday use.

• In the summer of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will be leading the way in the premium sedan segment with the launch of the new E-Class – the first of three Mercedes-Benz models with the unique combination of BLUETEC, 7G-TRONIC and hybrid technology. The E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is set to become the cleanest and most economical business sedan in the world with fuel consumption of just 5.1 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to CO2 emissions of just 134 grams per kilometre.

• 2010 will also see the market launch of the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID.

• The C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is set to follow in spring 2011 – fuel consumption of just 4.6 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres, CO2 emissions of 122 grams per kilometre.

• The S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID will go on sale in Fall 2011. Boasting fuel consumption of just 5.8 liters per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions:
154 g/km), this luxury sedan combines fuel efficiency and excellent environmental compatibility together with supreme driving pleasure and comfort.

Mercedes-Benz provided 2007 IAA International Motor Show visitors with a preview of the future of the luxury long-distance sedan: the F 700 research car with innovative DIESOTTO drive which combines the very best of the diesel and gasoline engine to comfortably deliver the lowest fuel consumption in the history of the gasoline-engined car. Thanks to turbocharging and the hybrid module, its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine delivers combined maximum power of 190 kW/258 hp while consuming just 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions of just 127 grams per kilometre).

Source: Daimler

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •