BusinessWeek - A Mercedes Hybrid at Last
09-12-08, 02:16 AM
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BusinessWeek - A Mercedes Hybrid at Last
BusinessWeek - A Mercedes Hybrid at Last
German automakers pride themselves on being at the leading edge of new technology, so it has been a bit of an embarrassment that—a decade after Toyota (TM) launched the Prius—none of them has a hybrid electric model on the market. But, with fuel economy and environmental impact suddenly a key concern for well-heeled buyers, Daimler's (DAI) Mercedes unit is finally poised to get into the hybrid game.
In June 2009 the company will begin European sales of a hybrid version of its luxury S-Class that, its engineers say, will use 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (or get 29.8 miles per gallon). Launches in the U.S. and China will follow in September, Mercedes said on Sept. 11.
The carmaker hasn't yet established a price for the hybrid land yacht, but Mercedes Sales and Marketing Director Klaus Maier said the premium will be less than €10,000, or $14,000. The S-Class starts at about $88,000 in the U.S., though the top-of-the-line V12 costs a staggering $145,000.
Why Such a Big Car
Cynics might say that people concerned about global warming and the massive transfer of wealth to oil-producing nations should simply buy a smaller car. But Mercedes executives don't think their customer base has quite reached that stage of enlightenment. "Not everyone can drive a Smart on vacation," Maier says. "We need solutions for big cars."
Why did it take so long for Mercedes to get into the hybrid market? One reason is that Mercedes, as well as BMW (BMWG.DE) and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), have concentrated on optimizing diesel engines. BMW's diesel Mini and 1 Series rival the Prius for gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions. Daimler says its BlueTec line of diesel SUVs, launched in the U.S. over the summer, account for 20% of Mercedes SUV sales in the country, a substantial percentage considering that diesel passenger cars make up only 4% of the total market.
From an engineering point of view, diesel is the better technology because it offers comparable gas mileage to a hybrid—or even superior mileage in highway driving—with less weight and expense. But the success of Toyota's luxury Lexus hybrid models showed that gasoline-oriented U.S. buyers want hybrids. "Mercedes said: 'If you want to save the planet, buy a diesel,'" says Christoph Stürmer, Frankfurt-based auto analyst at Global Insight. "They were right in their own way but proven wrong by the market."
The S-Class is not a so-called full hybrid—it can't run solely on battery power. Rather, the electric motor supplements the six-cylinder, 279-horsepower gasoline engine, improving fuel economy by providing a boost while accelerating. The car also recovers energy when braking, feeding it back into the battery. However, Mercedes has included some innovations that it hopes will set the S-Class hybrid apart from Japanese competitors.
Better Battery
The main innovation is the lithium-ion battery. Developed along with German components supplier Continental (CONG.DE), the battery weighs less and takes up less space than batteries used by competing hybrids. Slightly larger than a conventional auto battery, it fits under the hood and does not reduce the amount of space in the rest of the car. All told, the hybrid components including an electric motor add a modest 75 kg (165 lb.) to the total weight of the car.
The battery employs the same chemical principle as those used in laptops and mobile phones, but Mercedes execs insist there is no danger of the overheating that has plagued consumer electronics makers. In the unlikely event that the battery gets too hot, says Oliver Vollrath, strategic director of the S-Class hybrid project, the system will shut down automatically. In any event, Vollrath says the car's power-management system precludes any such problems. "You can be sure that what happens in laptops won't be a problem in automobiles," he says.
Besides being more efficient than competitors, the battery also helps Mercedes meet its long-term goal of offering better mileage without any sacrifices in performance and comfort. Following the S-Class launch, the company aims to add at least one hybrid model a year. "We have to ensure that people in six years will be able to drive a big car without sacrifices or a bad conscience," says marketing chief Maier.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbi...ge_top+stories
German automakers pride themselves on being at the leading edge of new technology, so it has been a bit of an embarrassment that—a decade after Toyota (TM) launched the Prius—none of them has a hybrid electric model on the market. But, with fuel economy and environmental impact suddenly a key concern for well-heeled buyers, Daimler's (DAI) Mercedes unit is finally poised to get into the hybrid game.
In June 2009 the company will begin European sales of a hybrid version of its luxury S-Class that, its engineers say, will use 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (or get 29.8 miles per gallon). Launches in the U.S. and China will follow in September, Mercedes said on Sept. 11.
The carmaker hasn't yet established a price for the hybrid land yacht, but Mercedes Sales and Marketing Director Klaus Maier said the premium will be less than €10,000, or $14,000. The S-Class starts at about $88,000 in the U.S., though the top-of-the-line V12 costs a staggering $145,000.
Why Such a Big Car
Cynics might say that people concerned about global warming and the massive transfer of wealth to oil-producing nations should simply buy a smaller car. But Mercedes executives don't think their customer base has quite reached that stage of enlightenment. "Not everyone can drive a Smart on vacation," Maier says. "We need solutions for big cars."
Why did it take so long for Mercedes to get into the hybrid market? One reason is that Mercedes, as well as BMW (BMWG.DE) and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), have concentrated on optimizing diesel engines. BMW's diesel Mini and 1 Series rival the Prius for gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions. Daimler says its BlueTec line of diesel SUVs, launched in the U.S. over the summer, account for 20% of Mercedes SUV sales in the country, a substantial percentage considering that diesel passenger cars make up only 4% of the total market.
From an engineering point of view, diesel is the better technology because it offers comparable gas mileage to a hybrid—or even superior mileage in highway driving—with less weight and expense. But the success of Toyota's luxury Lexus hybrid models showed that gasoline-oriented U.S. buyers want hybrids. "Mercedes said: 'If you want to save the planet, buy a diesel,'" says Christoph Stürmer, Frankfurt-based auto analyst at Global Insight. "They were right in their own way but proven wrong by the market."
The S-Class is not a so-called full hybrid—it can't run solely on battery power. Rather, the electric motor supplements the six-cylinder, 279-horsepower gasoline engine, improving fuel economy by providing a boost while accelerating. The car also recovers energy when braking, feeding it back into the battery. However, Mercedes has included some innovations that it hopes will set the S-Class hybrid apart from Japanese competitors.
Better Battery
The main innovation is the lithium-ion battery. Developed along with German components supplier Continental (CONG.DE), the battery weighs less and takes up less space than batteries used by competing hybrids. Slightly larger than a conventional auto battery, it fits under the hood and does not reduce the amount of space in the rest of the car. All told, the hybrid components including an electric motor add a modest 75 kg (165 lb.) to the total weight of the car.
The battery employs the same chemical principle as those used in laptops and mobile phones, but Mercedes execs insist there is no danger of the overheating that has plagued consumer electronics makers. In the unlikely event that the battery gets too hot, says Oliver Vollrath, strategic director of the S-Class hybrid project, the system will shut down automatically. In any event, Vollrath says the car's power-management system precludes any such problems. "You can be sure that what happens in laptops won't be a problem in automobiles," he says.
Besides being more efficient than competitors, the battery also helps Mercedes meet its long-term goal of offering better mileage without any sacrifices in performance and comfort. Following the S-Class launch, the company aims to add at least one hybrid model a year. "We have to ensure that people in six years will be able to drive a big car without sacrifices or a bad conscience," says marketing chief Maier.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbi...ge_top+stories
09-12-08, 04:03 AM
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BusinessWeek - A Mercedes Hybrid at Last
One reason is that Mercedes, as well as BMW (BMWG.DE) and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), have concentrated on optimizing diesel engines.
From an engineering point of view, diesel is the better technology because it offers comparable gas mileage to a hybridor even superior mileage in highway drivingwith less weight and expense. But the success of Toyota's luxury Lexus hybrid models showed that gasoline-oriented U.S. buyers want hybrids. "Mercedes said: 'If you want to save the planet, buy a diesel,'" says Christoph Stürmer, Frankfurt-based auto analyst at Global Insight. "They were right in their own way but proven wrong by the market."
One reason is that Mercedes, as well as BMW (BMWG.DE) and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), have concentrated on optimizing diesel engines.
From an engineering point of view, diesel is the better technology because it offers comparable gas mileage to a hybridor even superior mileage in highway drivingwith less weight and expense. But the success of Toyota's luxury Lexus hybrid models showed that gasoline-oriented U.S. buyers want hybrids. "Mercedes said: 'If you want to save the planet, buy a diesel,'" says Christoph Stürmer, Frankfurt-based auto analyst at Global Insight. "They were right in their own way but proven wrong by the market."
09-12-08, 06:35 AM
#4
I feel like there is a good bit of conflicting information with diesel engines. There is no doubt that some of them get good mileage, but then you also read about the harmful particulates and pollutants that they emit. I've also read some articles about the shoddy air quality in Europe due to the mass diesel market there.
Can anyone clarify the information on this? If these cars get better gas mileage but release more pollutants, then that is hardly green at all IMO. If not, then maybe there is more merit to them.
Can anyone clarify the information on this? If these cars get better gas mileage but release more pollutants, then that is hardly green at all IMO. If not, then maybe there is more merit to them.
09-12-08, 07:00 AM
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Some of those studes about diesel particles in the air and how they effect cancer rates just plain scare me. Even with clean diesel, they are still releasing toxins. There's just no way around it...right now.
Here we are with the apples to oranges again. The Prius gets 48 MPG city, the new Jetta 31. Thats not comparable in my book.
Anyway, good for MB. Finally getting to the party. If the system is compact and inexpensive (which Im sure it isnt) I would be installing this in the E, C, CLK, and M classes and grab an edge over the competition.
And personally I think $88k is too much for an S class. They really need an S350 version.
From an engineering point of view, diesel is the better technology because it offers comparable gas mileage to a hybrid—or even superior mileage in highway driving
Anyway, good for MB. Finally getting to the party. If the system is compact and inexpensive (which Im sure it isnt) I would be installing this in the E, C, CLK, and M classes and grab an edge over the competition.
And personally I think $88k is too much for an S class. They really need an S350 version.
09-12-08, 09:37 AM
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The air quality here in Europe is generally very good to my knowledge. Germany and France in particular have very stringent laws on emissions. Diesel cars are required to offer a particulate filter if the owner wants to get tax breaks. Most European cars come with this as standard while most Japanese or Korean diesels do not have these, yet. However, like all countries, there are hardcore environmentalists which push for ridiculous laws to be put into place. So far in Germany, they have succeeded in creating many "car-free zones" in major cities which prevent both diesel and gasoline-powered cars from entering at particular hours - or at a fee. It's similar to the London congestion charge and it faces a lot of public opposition in Germany.
Eastern European cities suffer from air pollution which is mostly caused by inefficient factories left behind by their former communist governments. In some places in Eastern Europe workers are still exposed to raw asbestos particles - cancer causing substances.
Furthermore, there are many other harmful products that can cause cancer in humans. French friends, potato chips, smoking and a generally unhealthy lifestyle come to mind.
09-12-08, 10:09 AM
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09-13-08, 02:41 PM
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The air quality here in Europe is generally very good to my knowledge. Germany and France in particular have very stringent laws on emissions. Diesel cars are required to offer a particulate filter if the owner wants to get tax breaks. Most European cars come with this as standard while most Japanese or Korean diesels do not have these, yet. However, like all countries, there are hardcore environmentalists which push for ridiculous laws to be put into place. So far in Germany, they have succeeded in creating many "car-free zones" in major cities which prevent both diesel and gasoline-powered cars from entering at particular hours - or at a fee. It's similar to the London congestion charge and it faces a lot of public opposition in Germany.
Eastern European cities suffer from air pollution which is mostly caused by inefficient factories left behind by their former communist governments. In some places in Eastern Europe workers are still exposed to raw asbestos particles - cancer causing substances.
Furthermore, there are many other harmful products that can cause cancer in humans. French friends, potato chips, smoking and a generally unhealthy lifestyle come to mind.
Eastern European cities suffer from air pollution which is mostly caused by inefficient factories left behind by their former communist governments. In some places in Eastern Europe workers are still exposed to raw asbestos particles - cancer causing substances.
Furthermore, there are many other harmful products that can cause cancer in humans. French friends, potato chips, smoking and a generally unhealthy lifestyle come to mind.
.btw, it is mild hybrid for 10k Euro premium? How crazy is that. Whats the planned production - like 10 per year?
09-13-08, 02:44 PM
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p.s. Autobild tested GS450h vs diesel 530i and E class - 450h spent only 1%-2% more fuel while being a lot faster in every possible test (whole different class), not to mention NVH. Conclusion was - Germans need Hybrids and fast.
09-14-08, 02:13 PM
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let us note that the miles per gallon is inflated, as are most european mileage standards.
brought to the USA with EPA standards, that number (29 mpg) will certainly drop to LS600H levels.
brought to the USA with EPA standards, that number (29 mpg) will certainly drop to LS600H levels.
09-15-08, 04:45 PM
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The only ones who should be embarrased is Toyota. The Germans are the ones with Diesel technology, something the Japanese for many years snubbed their nose at. Finally Nissan and Honda have developed clean diesel engines, Toyota apparently doesn't see the need. We'll see how wise that is, especially when the Germans start rolling out their 70mpg Diesel Hybrid powertrains.
Yes, a Prius gets 50mpg, but so does a Passat TDI, with more room, better handling, a nicer interior, and much, much more torque. The car flat out outmatches even Toyota's own Camry Hybrid for economy.
To the poster above who was questioning the enviromental factor of diesel powertrains - Type "Clean TDI" into Google and educated yourself, please. That type of scepticism is the one thing holding back these efficient motors from the North American market (which is obsessed with Hybrids). Don't get me wrong, Hybrids are great, but they are hardly the only way to acheieve high mileage figures. Again, 50% of Europeans get it, Americans have their decades old prejudices of smelly noisy engines. It's really time to wake up and get with it.
Thankfully, with the waiting lists of the new Jetta TDI nationwide, that tide seems to be slowly turning.
Yes, a Prius gets 50mpg, but so does a Passat TDI, with more room, better handling, a nicer interior, and much, much more torque. The car flat out outmatches even Toyota's own Camry Hybrid for economy.
To the poster above who was questioning the enviromental factor of diesel powertrains - Type "Clean TDI" into Google and educated yourself, please. That type of scepticism is the one thing holding back these efficient motors from the North American market (which is obsessed with Hybrids). Don't get me wrong, Hybrids are great, but they are hardly the only way to acheieve high mileage figures. Again, 50% of Europeans get it, Americans have their decades old prejudices of smelly noisy engines. It's really time to wake up and get with it.
Thankfully, with the waiting lists of the new Jetta TDI nationwide, that tide seems to be slowly turning.
Last edited by FKL; 09-15-08 at 04:51 PM.