Autoblog

Mercedes -- like a lot of other folks -- believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the "Low on Oil" light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That's seven years to get off the drink we've all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque's next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes' supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom -- but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what's doable under the new CAFE laws.

[Source: The Sun via AutoblogGreen]

Mercedes-Benz has laid out a long Road to the Future, detailing its efforts to create "fuel-efficient and environmentally-sustainable premium automobiles without the need to forgo the characteristic brand features." That's fancy talk for having your German chocolate cake and eating it, too.

The three areas on which the tri-pointed star wants to focus are fitting vehicles with the latest internal combustion engine technology, including smaller engines, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, and BlueTEC; improving vehicle aerodynamics, weight, and energy management (BlueEFFICIENCY); adding more "hybrid" technologies like start/stop functions and a fully-electric-capable 2-mode hybrid drive; and creating zero-emissions vehicles.

Mercedes wants diesels as clean as gas engines, gas engines as efficient as diesels, diesel hybrids, lighter cars, better gas mileage, leprechauns, unicorns, and rainbows for everyone. Well, not those last three, but you get the picture. To understand the full sweep of Mercedes' efforts, follow the jump for the full press release.

[Source: eGM Car Tech]

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The Mercedes-Benz F 700 concept car will headline the automaker's presence at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, and we've now been given a Lutz-style sneak peek at the low-consumption, low-emissions luxury liner. Equipped with both DIESOTTO and hybrid technology, the F 700 boasts fuel economy of 44 mpg and CO2 emissions of 127g/km, both of which is are very low numbers for a large premium luxury sedan. Mercedes points out that its fuel economy is equal to what is regularly achieved in diesel-powered small cars, and the F 700's 44 mpg represents the best economy number for a car of its type in the history of motoring. We don't have any more on the F 700 to give you at this time, but you can read up on the DIESOTTO tech here for now. Our Frankfurt team will provide comprehensive coverage of the F 700 concept's unveiling next week.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

The Frankfurt Auto Show is still a month away, but that hasn't stopped the car companies from dropping previews and tip-offs of new concepts they have planned for the show. Mercedes-Benz will have one of the biggest presentations at the event, showcasing no less than 18 new models and concepts cars, and the underlying theme for the show will be its new green initiative.

One of the concepts it has planned will be a 'radical' proposal for a large luxury car labelled the F700. Though this doesn't sound very green, the concept will feature Mercedes' new 1.8L turbocharged DiesOtto engine. The tiny motor is said to deliver an amazing 238hp and 295ft-lb. of torque, while returning fuel consumption of around 39 mpg in a large S-class saloon.

Other cars planned for the show include the new C-Class estate, more Bluetec diesel cars and the automaker's new electric hybrid range.

[Source: 4Car]

Diesel technology has improved by leaps and bounds, but the trouble is, it still runs on diesel. In the American market, at least, finding a diesel pump is still a pain compared to filling up with conventional gasoline. Mercedes-Benz says it's found the solution with a new developmental powertrain concept it calls DiesOtto.

We first reported on the project a couple of years ago, but the German automaker now has a functioning prototype. Rather than actually running on diesel, the DiesOtto engine is said to incorporate the benefits of a diesel engine, but runs on regular old unleaded. The prototype is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that uses direct injection, variable compression, turbocharging and something MB calls "controlled auto ignition" to deliver 238 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a claimed return of "less than 6 liters per 100 kilometers", which translates to 39.2 mpg. Those numbers, Benz claims, are not based on a small car (like the C-Class or smaller) but on a large sedan (like the S-Class). They may not be entirely revolutionary figures, but any way you look at it, they're damn impressive.

Mercedes hasn't put a timeline on producing and marketing a powertrain based on the DiesOtto prototype, but says it's a "feasible proposition in the midterm". We certainly hope so.

[Source: Edmunds' Inside Line]