At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz stated that they would have their first hybrid on the market by 2009. Well according to sources the car is in the production phase and is going to feature a Bluetec diesel engine mated to a mild-hybrid system.
The production version of the car is going to use a 2.2L four-cylinder Bluetec diesel engine mated to a mild-hybrid system that together should produce about 204 horsepower.
The Hybrid S-Class will compete primarily with the Lexus LS 600h hybrid sedan.
The new diesel-hybrid will be shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September and will be on sale either late 2008 or early 2009.
It's great to see that someone finally put the two together to make the diesel-hybrid. Now let's hope that other automakers follow.
Full Story: egmcartech
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Comments (16)
Hey that looks like a Ssangyong, awesome!
Posted by Lindsay | June 6, 2007 3:35 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 03:35
How, exactly, is a hybrid 2.2L 4-cyl diesel going to compete with a hybrid 5.0L 8-cyl gas engine?
If this S-class is only making about 200 HP, wouldn't a hybrid version of their 6-cyl diesel have been a better idea? At least then they could have gotten it past 300 HP and tried to compete on the numbers with the estimated 430HP of the Lexus...
Posted by Jason Litka | June 6, 2007 9:15 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 09:15
Remember, the diesel will have bags of torque, probably around 350 lb-ft. Coupled with the excellent low-speed torque characteristics of electric motors, this will be one swift car. It's not just about numbers; in the real world this Benz will be quick and satisfying to drive.
Posted by Tito | June 6, 2007 10:28 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 10:28
Not much of an article. Doesn't even mention what MPG it will get. And much more importantly doesn't talk about how its emissions will compare.
Posted by dailofan | June 6, 2007 10:52 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 10:52
Bags of torque? The Lexus has over 350 lb-ft. of torque also. And the "excellent low-speed toque of electric motors" you speak of will be shared by both cars. I agree with Jason, a bigger engine in the Benz would have been a much better idea.
I don't think the people shopping in these price ranges worry too much about gas prices anyway.
Posted by Jeb | June 6, 2007 11:05 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 11:05
quote:
I don't think the people shopping in these price ranges worry too much about gas prices anyway.
No, but I'd bet they also don't care about (or know) how much horsepower their car gets either. This is an S-Class, not an E63 AMG. All most will care about is how luxurious it is. As long as it has decent pickup, I'm sure they'll be happy.
Good for Merc for going with a smaller engine.
Posted by huntsville | June 6, 2007 11:16 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 11:16
and in europe, a 6 cyl s class would outsell an 8 cyl, so a 4cyl diesel hybrid is most appropriate.
Posted by mike | June 6, 2007 11:58 AM
Posted on June 6, 2007 11:58
I agree with huntsville,
you want a fast car for arround 100K dont buy a cow like the s class, you should be looking at corvetts or vipers, maby even a 911, i think that the name of this game is GO GREEN!!!! , i live in Chicago, my Acura TL only takes premium and it costs about 3.89 per gallon on average, and thankfully i average around 22-26 mpg between my HW driving and city trafic.
I paraise Merc, i think if your going to go through the trouble of making a car "GREEN" then performance needs to be taken out of the equation and a 4 banging desile engine is the perfect choice, I personally hate autos that try to be somthing they are not and the lexus is a good example of a that, its supposed to be good for the enviorment but if its that strong people will be occasionally tempted to use that power and negate all the good tha car could do for the enviorment.
i think this "hybrid" fad is going to go the way of the dodo bird and the internet will soon follow... lol
Posted by dennis_from_the_park | June 6, 2007 12:07 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 12:07
who cares,
how about 135 mpg equivalent and no money to the oil companies...
www.teslamotors.com
Posted by cobalt blue | June 6, 2007 1:26 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 13:26
I am going to guess, 200 hp 325 lb-ft 0~60 in 8.5 seconds and 45 mpg mixed cycle, as the spec's for this one, anyone else care to guess?
the 600h gets 21 mpg mixed cycle and hits 60 in 5.5 seconds.
Posted by Travis | June 6, 2007 2:28 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 14:28
Actualy if you read the full article it states 6.6l per 100 km which is about 36.5 mpg, That roughly matches a Toyota Yaris, so it's pretty decent.
Posted by Travis | June 6, 2007 2:36 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 14:36
You're right Jeb. What I mean is that the torque number is more important for real world driving feel. I bet most people won't be able to tell that it's a four-banger under the hood.
Posted by Tito | June 6, 2007 5:15 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 17:15
A four-cylinder diesel hybrid is an excellent choice.
Put that engine in an E-class here in the US and you will give the Japanese some serious headaches.
Posted by Luscious | June 6, 2007 8:51 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 20:51
The E-class has been called the least reliable car sold in America, due primarily to electronic glitches. Now MB thinks we'll buy a vastly more complex car with more electronics. Thanks, but I'll get my hybrid from the Japanese where i got those nissan brake pads
.
Posted by gregory connor | June 8, 2007 8:29 PM
Posted on June 8, 2007 20:29
It is possible that they are going for fuel economy, not performance. That way they can "Outgreen" the competition. Which of course, isn't that the reason people should buy a hybrid? Since it often doesn't make financial sense.
Posted by Obviously DaMinority | June 20, 2007 8:42 AM
Posted on June 20, 2007 08:42
this DOES compete with the LS 600H. Remember that the Bluetec diesel is infinitely more clean burning than that stupid high-performance gas engine the Lexus has. It will also get much better gas mileage. Even though the Lexus makes "20 percent" of the emissions of a "normal 5.0 litre V8", that is still a LOT of smog to emit, considering a 5.0 V8 isn't exactly the environmentalist's choice...compare that with the Mercedes Bluetec program which reduces diesel smog to almost nothing, and there is no comparison.
Posted by chris | August 17, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on August 17, 2007 15:43