The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid will be the first production hybrid vehicle in the world to use a lithium ion battery (yes, the same type of batteries which are used in mobiles). The S400 uses Mercedes 3.5L V-6 petrol engine combined with the 15kW electric motor/generator.
Most current production hybrid electric vehicles use nickel metal hydride batteries. The lithium-ion battery is smaller, with better performance, but in the past has been plagued by overheating. Mercedes appears to have solved that issue by integrating the battery pack into the vehicle's climate control system, which enables it to maintain battery operating temperatures between 59 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main advantages offered by the newly developed lithium-ion battery are its very compact dimensions and its far superior performance compared to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries. The weight/power ratio of the entire battery is 1,900 watts per liter (W/L). The battery has a high ampere-hour efficiency, long service life, and great reliability, even at very low temperatures. Its high level of safety is the equal of that provided by today's auto batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.
The S400 BlueHybrid consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (i.e. 12.6 kmpl) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) which combines city and highway driving. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S400 BlueHybrid the world's most economical luxury sedan - unrivaled by any gasoline, diesel, or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor. S400 BlueHybrid drivers will still enjoy impressive performance: combined with the hybrid module, the maximum output is 299 hp, and the corresponding maximum torque is 375 Nm. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The S400 BlueHybrid will be launching in calendar 2009 in both North America and Europe.
Most current production hybrid electric vehicles use nickel metal hydride batteries. The lithium-ion battery is smaller, with better performance, but in the past has been plagued by overheating. Mercedes appears to have solved that issue by integrating the battery pack into the vehicle's climate control system, which enables it to maintain battery operating temperatures between 59 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main advantages offered by the newly developed lithium-ion battery are its very compact dimensions and its far superior performance compared to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries. The weight/power ratio of the entire battery is 1,900 watts per liter (W/L). The battery has a high ampere-hour efficiency, long service life, and great reliability, even at very low temperatures. Its high level of safety is the equal of that provided by today's auto batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.
The S400 BlueHybrid consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (i.e. 12.6 kmpl) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) which combines city and highway driving. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S400 BlueHybrid the world's most economical luxury sedan - unrivaled by any gasoline, diesel, or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor. S400 BlueHybrid drivers will still enjoy impressive performance: combined with the hybrid module, the maximum output is 299 hp, and the corresponding maximum torque is 375 Nm. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The S400 BlueHybrid will be launching in calendar 2009 in both North America and Europe.
