AMG is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz that transforms mainstream models into super performing beasts. As such it has never been known as a champion of efficiency, but this is about to change. AMG chief Volker Mornhinweg recently spoke to Britain's CAR about future products that are being developed or considered. AMG has clearly demonstrated that it knows how to extract extraordinary amounts of power form Mercedes engines. Given the reality of fuel prices and emissions requirements, ever increasing power is no longer a suitable path. However, AMG wouldn't be what it is without performance so the engineers will seek new directions that require less power and consumption. That means lighter weight materials for new models so that smaller engines can be used. The AMG engineers will also move beyond straight gasoline internal combustion power. In the next few years, AMG will introduce a model using the new mild hybrid system that debuts in the S400 BlueHybrid next year. That model should beat the current AMG 6.2L V8 by 30 percent in fuel economy but have similar performance. Diesel will also be part of the picture although the focus for AMG will be higher performance diesels than Mercedes currently sells. A twin turbocharged version of the 3.0L V6 diesel used through much of the current lineup could rival the BMW dual turbo six that is used in the 335d and 535d.

[Source: CAR]

Next year's arrival of the S400 BlueHybrid appears to be just the first stage of a massive move to hybridazition of the brand's lineup. The ML450 is scheduled to get a Two-Mode hybrid late next year, pending resolution of issues with battery supplier Cobasys. A new generation of the high-volume mid-sized E-class arrives sometime in 2009 and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche reportedly told media in Paris last week that it, too, will get the hybrid treatment. The smaller C-Class that debuted in 2007 gets a refresh in 2011 that is also expected to add an electric motor into the drivetrain package. The C and E are both likely to use the smaller, less expensive mild hybrid system that goes into the S rather than the larger Two-Mode. Finally, Zetsche had good news for EV fans when he said the company expects to be producing 12-15,000 electric Smarts per year starting in 2012.


[Source: eGMCarTech]

Earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz introduced us to its BlueEFFICIENCY line of vehicles, starting off with the C-Class saloons (sedans). At the time, the German automaker promised that the fuel-saving technology would make its way up the corporate ladder, and it has now reached the top rung, the S-Class. MB's new new S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY manages a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy and emissions over the last CDI-powered S-Class model by way of "on-demand power steering," a 7 speed automatic transmission with "standstill decoupling" and low rolling resistance tires. You want numbers? For such a large car, the saloon manages nearly 31 miles per U.S. gallon (7.6 litres per 100km) and 199 g/km of carbon emissions. Still, zero to sixty acceleration is under 8 seconds, plenty fast for modern driving needs. On sale soon in Europe at €70,864.50, just shy of a hundred-grand in U.S. dollars, though conversions don't work like that. Full press release after the break.


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

A week after Mercedes-Benz announced details of its first hybrid, battery supplier Continental Automotive has launched production of the battery packs. Mercedes will be the first manufacturer to mass produce a hybrid vehicles with lithium ion batteries. Continental spent €3 million to build the battery manufacturing facility in Nuremberg. The first batteries that being produced weigh 55 lbs and have a volume of just under 0.5 cu. ft. When the Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid launches in mid-2009 with this 120V battery pack it will be installed in the engine compartment in place of the standard 12V lead acid battery.

Since this is the first mass market automotive application of a lithium battery, Mercedes and Continental are being extra careful. The battery is designed to last a minimum of 10 years and 100,000-150,000 miles so Continental has developed a sophisticated monitoring system to make sure that it operates within normal operating parameters. Each individual cell is monitored to keeps loads balanced and ensure even charging and discharging. Continental had to develop special processes to weld the copper bus bars that act as cell interconnects. The whole battery is enclosed inside of a laser-welded stainless steel case. The initial production capacity of the factory is 15,000 units a year and that can easily be doubled.

[Source: Continental]

Have you ever traveled around with a plug adapter for different wall sockets? The need for a car version of these adapters, albeit in a much larger scale, is what BMW's Klaus Draeger and Daimler's Thomas Weber discussed at the 2008 World Automotive Congress of FISITA, the international association of automotive engineers. Both said that the EV technology, vital if we want to curb CO₂ emissions, could be so expensive that single automakers might not be able to cope with its cost. They also called for industry-wide component standards for suppliers early in the research and development phases to prevent duplication of effort for major components such as electrical vehicle batteries. FISITA itself, like the IEEE for the electronic industry, could be an ideal framework for the harmonization of pollution regulations and technical standards.

[Source: Automotive News Europe (subs. req'd)]

Mercedes-Benz has officially confirmed the launch of its first hybrid vehicle and provided plenty of details on the drive system. The S400 BlueHybrid will will go on sale next summer in Europe with a U.S. launch expected soon after. The S400 will be the first product of a collaboration between Daimler and BMW to develop a mild hybrid drive system. Unlike the Two-Mode hybrid system that Mercedes is putting into the ML450 hybrid, the mild system uses a conventional 7-speed Mercedes automatic transmission. The torque converter is replaced by a 20 hp disc-shaped electric motor/generator. The motor replaces the torque converter, alternator and starter motor and provides regenerative braking capability as well electric power boost and auto start/stop capability.

The S400 will also be the first series production hybrid vehicle and first high-volume production vehicle of any type (hybrid or electric) to use a lithium ion battery for energy storage. The 120 V battery supplied by Continental is packaged under the hood so it doesn't take up any cargo room. The lithium battery will actually replace the conventional 12 V lead acid battery and with the use of a transformer it will be used to provide power to all the electrical accessories in the car. Because the alternator is eliminated and some of the charging power for the battery comes from regenerative braking, parasitic losses in the car are reduced. The bottom line is that the hybrid S-class should get the best fuel economy in the large luxury car class. It will be rated at a combined 29.8 mpg (U.S.) on the EU test cycle compared to 23.3 mpg (U.S.) for the conventional S350.


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Mercedes-Benz hasn't publicly announced an official on-sale date yet for its first hybrid models beyond the first half of 2009. However, BusinessWeek is reporting that the S400 BlueHybrid will go on sale in Europe in June 2009. The big gas-electric luxury sedan is due to arrive on U.S. roads one year from now. The S400 will use a lithium-ion battery pack and will likely be the first from a major automaker to do so. With a current U.S. base price of $86,700 for an S550, it's not quite clear where the hybrid will fit in the U.S. lineup. The S400 will pair the 3.5L V6 that is not available in the U.S. S-Class with the Daimler/BMW mild hybrid system. BusinessWeek reports the system will command a premium of less than €10,000 (I should hope so, since that's almost what Lexus charges for the full hybrid system on the LS600h). On the plus side, the Mercedes should get significantly better fuel economy than the Lexus. Mercedes is claiming 29.8 mpg (U.S.) for the hybrid although it remains to be seen how it will fare on the EPA cycle.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that Mercedes-Benz expects one fifth of its vehicle sales to be hybrids by the middle of the next decade. The information came from Mercedes sales head Klaus Maier during an interview. Mercedes has already announced the first two hybrid models that will be coming to market in 2009. The S400 Hybrid will use Mercedes new mild hybrid system and a lithium ion battery some time in the spring. Later in the year, the ML450 using the Two-Mode hybrid system is scheduled to launch. Whether the ML hybrid launches on time is unknown at this time because of a lawsuit between Daimler and battery supplier Cobasys. Mercedes plans to launch at least one hybrid every year until 2015. The company has already shown several other hybrids as concepts in the past year including a BlueTec diesel hybrid version of the new GLK compact SUV. Thanks to Matt for the tip!

[Source: BenzInsider.com]

A few updates from the U.S. federal government regarding cleaner vehicles. First, we have the official DOE fuel economy numbers for the 2009 Prius: 48 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway for a combined rating of 46 mpg. If that looks familiar, it's because it's the same as the 2008 Prius (and the 2007 and 2006 ...) But here's something that's new (maybe): has the FuelEconomy site always had the "switch units" option? I hadn't noticed it before but it caught my eye today because of the whole gallons per mile debate we had earlier this summer. Anyway, this option is easy to see on the DOE site - which remembers your setting - and we can clearly see that the 2009 Prius uses 2.2 gallons to go 100 miles.

Now, about the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit, which the Jetta TDI qualified for earlier this year. As Mercedes-Benz hoped, the company's three new BLUETEC SUVs do qualify for the credit, which is good on diesel vehicles "purchased or placed into service after December 31, 2005." The DOE includes this helpful note: "No eligible vehicles were manufactured for sale until 2008." The exact credit values are pasted after the jump. Thanks to Shaun for the tip.

[Source: DOE]

When the designers at Mercedes-Benz aren't working new and expensive production vehicles, they are sometimes set free to stretch the Mercedes image into new directions. For the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Daimler is going to show off a new design study vehicle called ConceptFASCINATION. The ideas behind ConceptFASCINATION are a revamped coupé styling, an "exclusive look," and "practical usability."

Even though the designers were told to go buck wild with the shooting brake look of the vehicle, the concept still has some reality built into the powerplant. A 2.2L four-cylinder diesel BlueTEC engine sits underhood which, according to Daimler AG board member Dr. Thomas Weber, who has responsibility for Research and Development at Mercedes Benz Cars, the car car "shows that Mercedes-Benz vehicles will also set standards in the future in terms of sustainability as well as emotional appeal, driving pleasure and comfort." If you think the designers nailed it, then check out the full details after the jump.


[Source: Daimler]

Mercedes today released a boatload of information on the new C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition which will house the company's totally redesigned four-cylinder diesel engine coming to Europe later this fall. The new engine displaces 2.2 liters and produces 150 kW / 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque, enough to move the C 250 from zero to 100 kmh in seven seconds. With all that power, let's not ignore the BlueEFFICIENCY tag, which means the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition's CO₂ emissions are a respectable 138 grams per kilometer and drivers can expect 45 mpg (U.S.), calculated on the NEDC. Mercedes says this is "a value achieved by no other comparable motor car." The C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition got aero tweaks and low rolling resistance tires to enhance efficiency and there is a consumption display on the dash that tells the driver when to shift to another of the vehicle's six gears. 5,000 of these Prime Editions will be produced and will appear with a price tag of 40,638.50 euros ($57,527US).

If the engine sounds good to you but you're not keen on the C-Class looks, don't fret. Mercedes says the compact design of the new engine means it will someday be found in the E-Class, the new GLK-Class and in the upcoming E‑Class Coupé. Read more after the jump.


[Source: Mercedes]

Click the photo for a high res gallery

Daimler AG and German utility RWE are teaming up for what they are calling the largest electric car field test in the world. The "e-mobility Berlin" project will see Daimler deploy a fleet of over 100 second-generation Smart ED and Mercedes A-Class cars powered by lithium ion batteries. In order to facilitate the use of these cars around the German capitol, RWE will install 500 public charging stations. The charge points will get vehicle ID information when the cars are plugged in to allow accurate billing of the drivers. By working with the utility, Daimler wants to develop an integrated system that includes both electrically-driven vehicles and a publicly-accessible charging infrastructure. The latter is actually quite important because at least in the early years, the limited range of battery vehicles will mean that they are primarily used in urban environments. Many people living in such locales don't necessarily have a garage or other place to plug in. Automatic charging points like the ones to be deployed by RWE or those developed by Coulomb technologies here in the U.S. will be an important part of the equation. The new electric Smarts to be deployed by Daimler will use lithium ion batteries but the company has not confirmed who will supply the packs. Previously the Financial Times had reported that Tesla would be supplying the batteries for these cars.


[Source: Daimler]

Mercedes not only builds cars, but it's one of the most important freight truck manufacturers. Next month, there's a road transport Exhibition in Hannover, Germany, and the Stuttgart-based company is introducing a new concept hybrid truck: the Mercedes Econic NGT Hybrid (non-hybrid standard version pictured above). The hybrid truck uses natural gas (CNG) as fuel as well as an electric engine. According to Mercedes, the estimated savings in fuel costs are estimated at 60 percent, both for the lower cost of natural gas and for the improvements in fuel consumption (undetailed). With this hybrid, Mercedes is certainly solidifying its moves into the CNG fuel segment. Mercedes will also show off a new version of the CNG-powered Sprinter van with Stop/Start function, as well as a new 4WD version.

[Source NGV Global]

It's time to throw some ideas against the wall and see what sticks. Disclaimer: I have no inside knowledge to back up any of what follows. This is all pure speculation based on putting together some puzzle pieces that may or may not actually fit. Let's begin with a few things that we do know:

Daimler and Tesla Motors have some sort of deal, but we have no knowledge about the details. This news came out of an interview that Tesla Chairman Elon Musk did with Fox Business News a couple of months ago. At the time I speculated that this could be either a deal to license some battery management technology to Daimler or for the Germans to supply the Smart engine to Tesla as a range extender for the Model S. We now know that the idea of an ER-EV Model S has been discarded which brings us back to the first idea.

Recently we've heard about a couple of different Daimler projects that involve batteries. One is the ML450 hybrid. Mercedes has a contract with Cobasys to supply nickel metal hydride batteries for the ML450. However, business problems at Cobasys have led Mercedes to file suit against the company. A Mercedes spokesman told ABG that the program is still on track but did not comment on whether a sourcing change would be made. Continue reading this twisted little tale after the jump.

London trucking got a bit greener today as Daimler AG has delivered ten Fuso Canter Eco Hybrids to various customers in the city. The 7.5-ton hybrid trucks are expected to save about 15-percent in both fuel and carbon emissions using a diesel engine and electric drivetrain. The eight customers were specifically chosen to study what the economic benefits of the fuel savings could be, since all the trucks will be used in slightly different roles. Daimler hopes that it will become apparent after the three-year test what roles the trucks are best suited for. Daimler has even created a special service center in London for servicing of the trucks, which were delivered pre-painted in each of the customers' colors. Quite acomodating of the German automaker, wouldn't you say? The trucks themselves were introduced in 2006 and have proven popular in Japan. Daimler hopes that European customers will find that the fuel savings over a couple of years will make up for the higher initial cost that the hybrid trucks are saddled with.

[Source: Daimler AG]