Mercedes-Benz Details Product Roll-Out and Timeline for 6 Hybrids and Fuel Cell Vehicle
12 September 2007
Mercedes-Benz used the Frankfurt Motor Show to outline the product timeline for its introduction of a number of new hybrid models into the market beginning in 2009. The company also announced it would begin series production of a B-Class fuel cell car in 2010.
The hybrid products include the ML 450 Hybrid, a gasoline-electric application of the two-mode hybrid system co-developed with GM and BMW; the S 400 Hybrid, a gasoline mild hybrid; and four BLUETEC diesel mild hybrids, the E 300, S 300, C 300 and S 400.
| Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Timeline, as of Sep 2007 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Market date | Hybrid type | Fuel | Hybrid module | Combined Output | Fuel consumption | CO2 |
| ML 450 Hybrid | 2009 | Two-mode | Gasoline | 45 kW | 236 kW 480 Nm |
7.7 l/100km 30.5 mpg US |
185 g/km |
| S 400 Hybrid | 2009 | Mild | Gasoline | 15 kW | 220 kW 375 Nm |
7.9 l/100km 30 mpg US |
190 g/km |
| E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid | 2010 | Mild | Diesel | 15 kW | 165 kW 560 Nm |
5.1 l/100km 46 mpg US |
134 g/km |
| S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid | 2010 | Mild | Diesel | 15 kW | 165 kW 560 Nm |
5.4 l/100km 44 mpg US |
142 g/km |
| C 300 BLUETEC Hybrid | 2011 | Mild | Diesel | 15 kW | 165 kW 560 Nm |
4.6 l/100km 51 mpg US |
122 g/km |
| S 400 BLUETEC Hybrid | after 2010 | Mild | Diesel | 15 kW | 195 kW 630 Nm |
5.8 l/100km 40.5 mpg US |
154 g/km |
| S 400 BLUETEC Hybrid | after 2010 | Mild | Diesel | 45 kW in testing |
|||
The ML 450 Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid due for market introduction in 2009. The V6 gasoline engine produces 205 kW (279 hp) of power and 338 Nm (249 lb-ft) of torque, while the two-mode hybrid module with two electric motors develops 45 kW (61 hp). The end result is a combined system output of 236 kW (321 hp) and a combined maximum torque of 480 Nm (354 lb-ft), with fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100km (30.5 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 185 g/km. A 288-V battery provides the energy storage for the motors.
The S 400 Hybrid is also due on the market in 2009. The S 400 Hybrid combines a 205 kW (279 hp) V6 gasoline engine with a hybrid module delivering from the outset 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) and 15 kW (20 hp). The combined maximum power output is 220 kW (299 hp), the combined maximum torque amounts to 375 Nm (277 lb-ft).
The S 400 Hybrid can accelerate in 7.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), with fuel consumption of 7.9 l/100km (30 mpg US) in the NEFZ cycle and CO2 emissions of 190 g/km.
The compact hybrid module for the S-Class offers a boost function and start-stop function. The S-Class will use a lithium-ion battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft.
The E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid will arrive on the market in 2010 as the first of a total of three Mercedes-Benz models to offer the combination of BLUETEC, 7G-TRONIC and hybrid technology.
The modular technology concept of the E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid consists of a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel that develops 150 kW (204 hp) and a maximum torque of 480 Nm (354 lb-ft), plus a compact hybrid module delivering additional 15 kW (20 hp). With the high combined torque of 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) the E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid surpasses many 6-cylinder diesel upwards of 3 liters displacement. Fuel consumption of 5.1 l/100km (46 mpg US) corresponds to CO2 emissions of 134 g/km.
The S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid, with 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) total torque and fuel consumption of 5.4 l/100 km (44 mpg US) is also due to arrive on the market in 2010. The configuration and performance data of this engine are identical to those in the E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid. With the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph). CO2 emissions are 142 g/km—57 grams, or some 30%, less than the current best saloon in the S-Class segment.
The S-Class uses the version of BLUETEC with AdBlue injection system. The S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid has the potential to meet Euro 6 or the US 50-state Tier 2 Bin 5 standards.
The C 300 BLUETEC Hybrid will follow in 2011. With combined power output of 165 kW (224 hp) and a combined maximum torque of 560 Nm, the engine delivers the same performance here as it does in the S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid and the E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid. Due to its lower vehicle weight, the C 300 BLUETEC accelerates even faster (0-100 km/h in 7.2 s), while its top speed stands at 236 km/h (147 mph).
The C 300 BLUETEC Hybrid consumes 4.6 l/100km (51 mpg US), with 122 g/km of CO2. As in the E 300 BLUETEC Hybrid, the C 300 will use the combination of oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter from the version of BLUETEC with the NOx storage catalytic converter to comply with standards such as Euro 6 and Bin 5.
After 2010 Mercedes-Benz will offer a further BLUETEC hybrid combination in the form of the S 400 BLUETEC Hybrid. This hybrid combines the 15 kW (20 hp) hybrid module with the V6 diesel engine that is already used in numerous Mercedes-Benz model series. Following further development, this engine delivers top output of 180 kW (245 hp). Combined, this BLUETEC/ Hybrid unit delivers a maximum power output of 195 kW (265 hp), at a combined maximum torque of 630 Nm (465 lb-ft).
Further power combinations, such as for instance, with a 45 kW (61 hp) hybrid module, are currently in the testing phase. With 195 kW (265 hp) and 630 Nm of torque (combined power), the S 400 BLUETEC Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, and this in conjunction with the standard seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC. Its electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph). Average fuel consumption is 5.8 l/100km (40.5 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 154 g/km.
As in the case of the S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid, this system uses BLUETEC with AdBlue injection.
The B-Class F-Cell. Mercedes-Benz will launch its first small-scale series-production car with a fuel-cell drive—the B-Class F-Cell—in the summer of 2010. The new F-Cell will use a new generation of fuel-cell system, first introduced in the F 600 HYGENIUS research vehicle in 2005. (Earlier post.)
The redesigned stack is around 40% smaller and produces 30% more power, yet it uses 16% less fuel than its predecessor. Starting under cold conditions has also been improved with the help of innovations such as an electric turbocharger to control the air supply and a new ventilation and dehumidification system.
The B-Class F-Cell develops top output of 100 kW (136 hp) and a maximum torque of 320 Nm (236 lb-ft), offering performance on a par with that of a two-liter gasoline engine vehicle. Fuel consumption corresponds to 2.9 liters of fuel (diesel equivalent) per 100 kilometers.
This would make a great movie. Call it "Six Weddings and a Funeral"
Posted by: DS | 12 September 2007 at 08:57 AM
Wow! I wonder if any of these will plug in. Either way, this is what positive progress looks like.
Posted by: Elliot | 12 September 2007 at 09:07 AM
Looks good - lets see how much extra they cost.
It would be interesting to see what they could do with smaller ICE engines such as a 1.5 and a 1.8 diesel.
I wonder will you be able to crawl through traffic on the 15KW electric drive - this would be very good for urban pollution. If you could even go at < 10mph, it would be useful.
Posted by: mahonj | 12 September 2007 at 09:32 AM
They have to advance the dates a bit. Already Lexus have 3 models (Full Hybrids) in the market.
By that time, Lexus may have plugin hybrids.
Posted by: Max Reid | 12 September 2007 at 09:37 AM
Fantastic. Way to commit to real timelines, Benz.
Posted by: jack | 12 September 2007 at 09:58 AM
It's not much a improvement for diesels, they should use smaller engines, and compensate for the performance loss with bigger electric assist motors. I really like the 7G-Tronic transmission.
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0-5-7166-1-65976-1-0-0-0-0-0-13-7166-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
Posted by: Ben | 12 September 2007 at 10:12 AM
The most interesting one is the B class fuel cell. That would a first for the car industry as whole if I am not mistaken. If the fuel consumption is true, it will be a huge success. The B class is a nice car, I am actually surprised it is not sold here in the US.
Posted by: John | 12 September 2007 at 11:51 AM
This link says that the S300 and S400 will use lithium batteries from Saft Johnson when they go on sale in 2009. I guess that 2009 is going to be the big breakthrough year for lithium batteries in vehicles.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-more-on-the-mercedes-hybrid-using-lithium-batter/
Posted by: Henrik | 12 September 2007 at 01:51 PM
Wonder where Toyota will be by the time all those promises come true.
Will Toyota halt or slow down while others try to catch up?
Posted by: Harvey D | 12 September 2007 at 02:44 PM
I am interested in the C class at 51mpg. That is quite good for a car that large. The gas engine is still a little overkill but at 51mpg for a car bigger then the Prius one cannot complain. I wonder if it will be affordable!
Of course Toyota may have a 75mpg Prius that is nearly as large by then. 2011 is a long time from now.
Posted by: hampden wireless | 12 September 2007 at 08:04 PM
I like that C class, too. Think it'll come in the sport edition? http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=C300WZ
I wonder if a two mode system like they put in the ML would push the mileage even higher.
Posted by: Elliot | 12 September 2007 at 09:23 PM
FYI, from edmunds.com, specs:
2008 C-300 vs. Prius
Length: 182.3 in.............175 in.
Width: 69.7 in................67.9 in.
Height: 56.3 in...............58.7 in.
Wheel Base: 108.7 in.........106.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.2 in.......5.6 in.
Curb Weight: 3527 lbs........2932 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.1 in......39.1 in.
Front Hip Room: 52.3 in.......51.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 54.7 in..55.0 in.
Rear Head Room: 36.9 in.......37.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1 in...52.9 in.
Rear Hip Room: 54.9 in........51.6 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.7 in.......41.9 in.
Rear Leg Room: 33.4 in........38.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 12.4 cu. ft.14.4 cu. ft.
In other words, C300 is BIGGER outside, but about the same or smaller inside compare to the Prius.
Posted by: Charles S | 13 September 2007 at 11:47 AM
I am interested in the C class at 51mpg. That is quite good for a car that large. The gas engine is still a little overkill but at 51mpg for a car bigger then the Prius one cannot complain. I wonder if it will be affordable!
I believe the Euro rating on the Prius is 4.3L/100km, compared to 4.6L/100km for the '11 C300.
Posted by: jack | 13 September 2007 at 07:47 PM
Charles S and jack,
Tks for the useful info. It shows how we can easily be fooled by car weight and outside dimensions.
Except for accelleration + speed performance, the 2006 Prius seems to do much the same or better than a 2001 MB.
Posted by: Harvey D | 14 September 2007 at 11:01 AM
The model that excites me the most is the 46 MPG E Class! That's awesome! I see a lot of people trying to compare these Mercedes models to a Prius, which to me is the epitome of apples vs. oranges. I recently traded in a Prius for the E320 diesel and I can assure you... there is simply no comparison! The Prius is a perfectly nice and very practical car, but the E Class is an exquisitely crafted machine. I have no doubt that the 2010 Prius will get better mileage than the 2010 Mercedes E Class, but so what? 46 MPG is VERY respectable... and it's a Mercedes! Unlike Lexus, who has wasted Toyota's hybrid technology on high-performance cars with huge gas engines (I had a RX400h before the Prius), it seems like Mercedes will FINALLY deliver what a lot of us have been waiting for: a true luxury car that gets great mileage. I, for one, can't wait!
Posted by: Paul | 18 September 2007 at 09:46 PM