Autoblog

Reader Spy: Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid spotted in Detroit

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, SUV, Green, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a gallery of ML450 hybrid spy shots

Thanks to an alert reader, we have a few snapshots of what appears to be a Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid prototype braving the snowy climes of suburban Detroit. At first glance, it doesn't appear all that different from a standard ML SUV, but the red HEV stickers on the rear, sides and hood of this tester gave its identity away. First previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show all the way back in 2007, the German automaker has faced a number of obstacles bringing the hybrid to market, not the least of which was a lawsuit against battery maker Cobasys for reportedly breaking its contract to supply nickel metal hydride packs for the hybrid 'ute.

This SUV will be the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz that uses the sophisticated hybrid drivetrain technology jointly developed with General Motors, Chrysler and BMW. Underhood lies a direct-injected 3.5L V6 that's mated to the two-Mode automatic transmission that the consortium will also be providing to BMW for use in the upcoming X6 ActiveHybrid. Thanks for the tip, Andres!

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid

Reader Spy: Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid spotted in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler considering cancelling hybrid 'ute

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Government/Legal, Green, Mercedes-Benz

Click above to enlarge the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid

Batteries are an integral part of any hybrid automobile. No batteries means no electric assist, which means no point in lugging around all that extra hardware. So Mercedes-Benz is in a world of hurt as it alleges that Cobasys, the chosen battery supplier for the upcoming ML 450 hybrid SUV, has decided not to fulfill its obligation to the German automaker. You might recall that General Motors had problems with leaky batteries from Cobasys, reportedly leading the automaker to consider purchasing the supplier outright from its current parents, Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices.

For its part, Mercedes-Benz has sued Cobasys and petitioned the court to order Cobasys to supply the batteries in had committed to. Cobasys CEO Thomas Neslage has denied that his company ever agreed to supply the batteries in the first place. If this situation isn't resolved in a timely manner, Mercedes-Benz may be forced to delay the introduction of its first-ever hybrid vehicle.

Update: Mercedes has told AutoblogGreen that cancellation is a worst case scenario and the company is still planning to introduce the ML450 Two-Mode hybrid in late 2009. A mild hybrid S400 is also arriving earlier in the year.

[Source: Tuscaloosa News, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Daimler considering cancelling hybrid 'ute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG

John Neff — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz

Click either image to view high-res galleries

Mercedes-Benz has taken a chisel to its original SUV and updated both the M-Class and the high-performance ML 63 AMG model. The M-Class has come a long way since it first debuted as a competent albeit small SUV with doughy styling. It's grown into a much larger shape that's crisper and more expensive looking, and MB has augmented that this year with tweaks to both the front and rear ends. The headlight shape is completely new and dips down toward the grille now, while a new radiator opening between the widely set fog lamps is particularly dominant. A faux undergaurd completes the look of manufactured manliness, while a new rear bumper, tweaked rear taillights and larger side view mirrors round out the exterior upgrades. The interior also gets updated with richer materials and a four-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel. MB has also added a host of infotainment options to the order list, as well.

The ML 63 AMG also gets the exterior tweaks, but adds a meaner front bumper with an even larger radiator grille, bigger fog lamps and a corrugated chromed undergaurd that trumps the base model's in both its inability to guard anything level of gaudiness. The grille also features just two horizontal cross bars rather than the cheese grader effect on standard MLs. The chrome undergaurd also appears on the new rear apron through which two pairs of chrome tailpipes peek out. New 20-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels look nice, but MB also has 21-inchers available for the ballers out there. The engine, however, is where it's at. The 6.3L AMG V8 produces 510 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, which gets fed through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission into the SUV's permanent all-wheel-drive system that's split 40:60 front to rear. The suspension and brakes have also been AMG-ified. Clearly, you want to move to the right lane when this thing appears in your rearview mirror.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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