Benz breakthrough: S400 hybrid will hit Geneva alongside new AMG SLs.Mercedes set to offer world's first lithium-ion hybrid production car via 2009 S400
By TERRY MARTIN
DAIMLER has made a breakthrough in battery technology, becoming the first car manufacturer to offer with "patented integration" of a lithium-ion battery into a series-produced passenger car.
The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid will be the first to reach the market – next year, according to the company – with battery technology that offers a number of advantages over conventional nickel-metal hydride, including drastically reduced size and higher performance.
In this case, Daimler has achieved a weight/power ratio of 1900 Watts per litre for the entire battery.
"What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry," said Daimler board member responsible for group research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development, Thomas Weber.
"That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992."
Daimler claims the breakthrough came once its engineers managed to fully integrate the lithium-ion battery in the vehicle's climate control system, which ensures that it works at optimal system temperatures of between 15°C and 35°C.
This in turn provides conditions for a long service life, high ampere-hour efficiency and reliability (even at very low temperatures).
According to Benz, the 220kW/375Nm S400 BlueHybrid consumes 7.9L/100km and produces CO2 of 190g/km – low values for this premium class and enough for the manufacturer to herald it as the "world's most economical luxury sedan – unrivalled by any gasoline, diesel or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor". It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
Watch out for lithium-ion being introduced soon on a Mercedes diesel hybrid, such as the S300 BlueTec Hybrid, which is believed to offer even more potential.
OzFree Online Cars offers free Registration as Individual or Dealer,Sell cars Classifieds Cars sell services and free car advertising services- Visit Oz Free Cars at http://cars.ozfreeonline.com
