click above image to view high-res gallery of the Mercedes S300 Hybrid Concept
During the huge debut Mercedes held for the F700 Concept and C-Class Estate, it also showed off the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz S300. This is the first product of a collaboration between Mercedes and BMW to develop a less complex mild hybrid that could be adapted to most of their vehicles. Promised for 2010, this will be the first model introduced under that program. It mates the 3.0L Bluetec diesel V-6 to that new hybrid set-up and gets a combined 43.6 mpg (in US gallons) on the economy cycle.
Sounds pretty efficient to us. Mercedes also had some info on the 2009 S400 Hybrid, which uses a petrol engine instead of the diesel used in the S300, and will be the first gas-engined German hybrid on the market when it goes on sale in '09. While the car itself looks exactly like the S300 above, we added a shot of the placard to our gallery so you can see the specs.
If this sounds like a good thing to you, and frankly, why wouldn't it, click over to AB Green to read more about the car and the technology behind it. And don't forget to check out the gallery of live shots as well.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz via AutoblogGreen]
PRESS RELEASE:
2009: S 400 HYBRID sets a new note in the luxury segment
At the same time as the ML 450 HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz will be launching an S_Class with petrol hybrid on the market. In the S 400 HYBRID, which will also be available from mid-2009 in Europe, the 205 kW/279 hp V6 petrol engine is combined with a hybrid module delivering from the outset 160 Nm and 15 kW/ 20 hp. The combined maximum power output is 220 kW/299 hp, the combined maximum torque amounts to 375 Newton metres.
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. Yet even with such excellent performance, this superb combustion engine requires a mere 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the NEFZ cycle. This results in CO2 emissions of just 190 grams per kilometre, making the S 400 HYBRID the most fuel-efficient luxury petrol engine saloon in the world, independently of whether competitors pit a petrol- diesel- or hybrid drive against it. Only the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, the S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID and the F 700, also presented at the IAA by Mercedes-Benz, can improve significantly on the world record set by the S 400 HYBRID in terms of low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Enjoyable and economical driving from one efficient unit
The compact hybrid module installed in all the S-Class hybrids comprises a disk-shaped electric engine, which also functions as a starter motor and dynamo. This system offers a double benefit, working on the one hand in various ways to save fuel, and making driving so much more fun.
The main reason for the increased driving enjoyment is what is known as the boost effect, whereby the electric engine supports the combustion engine during the high-consumption acceleration phase with a maximum extra torque of 160 Newton metres. With this high torque the electric engine 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 a supremely effortless power output whenever he starts off.
The hybrid module also features a comfortable start-stop function which switches the engine off whenever the vehicle stops, for example at traffic lights. Once the vehicle is ready to move off again, the electric engine starts the main engine again so gently, that it remains virtually unnoticed. This of course also contributes to fuel savings and is kind to the environment: since the engine starts virtually immediately, virtually no unburned fuel is discharged when starting off. When decelerating, on the other hand, the electric engine 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 engine management of this complex system is governed by a powerful control unit, which is also installed close to the engine.
2010: S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID with 560 Nm and just 5.4 l/100 km
The tremendous savings potential of the modular technology concept being applied by Mercedes-Benz is underlined by the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, due to arrive on the market in 2010, too. The configuration and performance data of this engine are identical to those in the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID. In the S-Class too, the BLUETEC/Hybrid combination develops a maximum torque of 560 Newton metres, comparable with that of a large-volume V8 petrol engine. When combined with the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds, and it can reach a top speed of 240 km/h. Even with this superior performance, fuel consumption stands at just 5.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to a mere 142 grams of CO2 per kilometre _ 57 grams, or some 30 per cent, less than the current best saloon in the S-Class segment anywhere in the world.
The S-Class uses the version of BLUETEC with AdBlue injection system. Thanks to the combination of BLUETEC and hybrid technology - the only combination of this nature in the world, delivering 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 – for example, the European EU6 standard or the US 50-state BIN5 standard.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
El Calor @ Sep 12th 2007 12:15PM
43.6 mpg for a sedan like this would be awesome!
http://www.BenzWorld.org
Manolo @ Sep 12th 2007 1:07PM
"Mercedes has an answer for Lexus with S-Class Hybrids"
when?
two years from now?
yes?
then the title should be: Merc WILL HAVE an answer....
they don't have anything yet...same as GM they WILL have something... and by then Lexus will be in their fifth evolution hybrid system... long ways to catch up folks... loooooong ways...
seoultrain @ Sep 12th 2007 2:29PM
manolo, your comment would make sense if the LS600h wasn't a completely useless car. bravo to Benz for working on a diesel hybrid.
wally @ Sep 12th 2007 12:32PM
Developed from GM technology!!!
Stuart @ Sep 12th 2007 12:51PM
How you work that one out? This is the second generation of hybrid for BMW/Mercedes done in collabration with ONLY each other. The first generation was involving GM, not this one.
wally @ Sep 12th 2007 1:27PM
Mild-hybrid technology has electric motors in transmission,GM technology. GM using in 2007 Saturn's + 2008 pick-up & SUV's. Dodge using same mild-hybrid in 2009. BMW/DAIMLER first to use in RWD cars. 1st or 2nd generation still same technology.
Tsunami Racer @ Sep 12th 2007 12:42PM
is that "real world honest to goodness" 43.6 MPG or is that "Prius" 43.6 MPG?
jg3 @ Sep 12th 2007 12:42PM
Impressive. And unlike the Lexus, it actually delivers a real advantage, whereas the Lexus is just about brownie points.
(If you've read any reviews of Lexus, the first thing to jump out at you was likely the fact it gets worse real world mpg than many gas powered SUVs.)
Imp @ Sep 12th 2007 12:42PM
Saggy butt has got to go.
Castle @ Sep 12th 2007 12:44PM
Its actually not a real hybrid. Its a belt-driven alternator for stop-and-go. Basically, the engine turns off when at a stop and can quickly turn on again when forward motion is needed. There are no electric motors powering the wheels.
BMW (with the 1-series diesel and new Mini diesel) and Citroen have this technology without the "hybrid" designation.
R.Autry @ Sep 12th 2007 12:52PM
I marvel at how quickly now these techno break thrus
are getting to market. I applaud all of the manufacturers because I know they care deeply about the planet and our mutual environment.One question I
have though is this. I own a 1998 Mercedes C230 with the 2.3 litre engine. She is capable of returning an overall mpg of 35. Yes...35 mpg overall. A couple of years ago Mercedes stopped making this wonderful engine available in the US. I can only guess why. Imagine
how many mpg the C230 would achieve with the hybrid engine config. being discussed here. Perhaps in the mid 50s. Mercedes...Will you put this hybrid config in the new C230 sedan using the 2.3 engine or something similar? And don't listen to auto writers. All they ever want is more power...more more more. Which is probably why the 2.3 engine dissappeared from these shores.
RicardoHead @ Sep 12th 2007 12:59PM
Not a Benz fan but if they make lexus/toyota look stupid then more power to them.
Marvelous @ Sep 12th 2007 1:03PM
Probably with about 200hp. Not what I want in a 90000 car
eliot mcd @ Sep 12th 2007 3:29PM
it says 0-60 in 8.4 seconds, i know that isnt fast, but it will still whoop azz on a smart car,lol, the s400 is a little more appriate, but imo, 43mpg is awesome in anything, sacrifice speed for mileage, its always been this way, especially when its a big car like this
Level @ Sep 12th 2007 4:03PM
This is not the answer to the Lexus, Lexus LS achieves v12 performance with a v8 hybrid. they are not in it to achieve higher mpg....This Benz is looking to achieve higher mpg with a lesser engine instead of increasing hp with its hybrid....
MPL @ Sep 12th 2007 4:33PM
Considering that the LS600h has performance figures on par with an S550, Lexus might want to rethink their stance on that V12 part and go back to focusing on fuel economy.
eliot mcd @ Sep 12th 2007 5:05PM
umm, last i checked, 0-60 in 5.4-5.5 seconds(i believe that was what it is) is not v12 performance, hell, a lot of everyday v8's get that, dodge, mercedes, ford, they all have them