Economical and environmentally compatible premium automobiles from Mercedes-Benz, without compromising the hallmark attributes of safety, comfort and serene driving enjoyment – this is the strategic aim of the Stuttgart-based brand. In addition to highly efficient internal combustion engines, hybrid drive systems are currently rounding off the mix of intelligent, need-related solutions for environmentally compatible mobility. Following the launch of the S 400 HYBRID in 2009, Mercedes-Benz is now setting new standards for luxury-class business cars with the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. This diesel hybrid is available in the European market as a Saloon and Estate from the third quarter 2012. Later the E 400 HYBRID powered by an electric motor and a V6 petrol engine will be launched in the American market, and later in other countries such as Japan and China.
"Modular hybrid technology opens up the way for us to rapidly add hybrid models to other model series," says Professor Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "With a clear focus on the varying needs of the worldwide markets, we are able to offer precisely the models that our customers require." This is because the intelligent, modular hybrid concept has a major advantage: no modifications to the bodyshell are required, the hybrid module can be used flexibly in other model series and there will be right-hand drive versions apart from the diesel and petrol models.
In addition to demand-related hybridisation in different development stages - from the ECO start/stop function right up to the purely electrically driveable hybrid, and on its way to the sustainable mobility of the future, Mercedes-Benz is also committed to optimising its vehicles with the very latest internal combustion engines – e.g. by downsizing, charging, direct injection, low-friction technology and BlueTEC. Moreover the vehicles themselves are undergoing targeted optimisation with respect to e.g. aerodynamics, lightweight construction and energy management (BlueEFFICIENCY). Powerful yet economical petrol and diesel models are offered across all the model series. Efficiency champions such as the SLK 250 CDI, S 250 CDI, ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC and SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY set new standards for efficiency in their respective segments.
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID: 4.2 l of diesel/100 km, 109 g CO2/km
The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID combines the excellent fuel economy of the 4‑cylinder diesel engine over long distances (motorway, inter-urban) with the advantages of an efficient hybrid in city and stop & go traffic. It therefore exhibits impressive efficiency with no compromises: thanks to the compact hybrid concept there are no restrictions in terms of spaciousness, comfort and safety.
In the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz has combined the 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp) with a powerful hybrid module. Its 15 kW electric motor, positioned between the internal combustion engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission, assists the diesel engine when the car is accelerating (boost effect) and, in alternator mode, is used for the recuperation of braking energy, although it is also suitable for driving under electric power alone. Based on the modular hybrid principle developed by Mercedes-Benz, this diesel hybrid is starting a new era in hybrid drive systems. The fuel consumption of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres (CO2: 109 g/km).
In combination with 7G-TRONIC, a wet start-up clutch and the lithium-ion battery, the intelligent modular hybrid system requires little installation space and weighs around 100 kg. As in all Mercedes-Benz hybrid models, the hybrid components have all the features of the extensive "7-stage safety concept".
In time for the market launch the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID will receive an environmental certificate according to ISO standard TR 14062. The certification by the neutral examiners at "TÜV Süd" attests to the brand's commitment to comprehensive environmental protection, which is enshrined in the operating guidelines for the entire Daimler group. In this process the company takes the environmental effects of a vehicle into account throughout its lifecycle – from development and production to use and eventual disposal.
Efficiency champions: exemplary economy in all vehicle classes
Across all the model series Mercedes-Benz consistently offers powerful yet economical petrol and diesel models which feature turbocharging and direct injection for improved performance but lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These "efficiency champions" are particularly attractive for markets with CO2-based vehicle taxation, or for company and fleet customers.
Characteristics of the efficiency champions in brief:
- SLK 250 CDI: torque at the level of a V8 muscle-car, the fuel consumption of a compact. The world's most economical (4.9 l/100 km) and powerful (150 kW/500 Nm) diesel roadster;
- S 250 CDI: the "five litres per 100 km S-Class" with serene long-distance comfort;
- ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC: full-size SUV with full on and off-road performance, a consumption of around six litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 158 g /km;
- SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY: consumes 29 percent less fuel than the preceding model, mainly thanks to a BlueDIRECT engine, intelligent lightweight construction (- 140 kg) and outstanding aerodynamics.
The "ÖkoTrend" institute has declared the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC to be the most environmentally friendly cars in their class. This is what lay behind the professional journal AUTO TEST’s decision to present its “Winners in Green” awards to both Mercedes-Benz models in December 2011.
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