Mercedes BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS Electric Concept Car near production

We have reported that Mercedes-Benz B-Class f-cell, the world's first series production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, is going in to limited production at the end of 2009. Besides, the company is also working on another fuel-cell B-Class concept, called BlueZERO E-Cell Plus.

First debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus is still on the stage of a Concept car. However, it’s expected to production in near future. Recently, Mercedes-Benz has reveiled the "near-production" BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept, which will also come to the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Based on the existing A Class / B Class platform, the BlueZERO E-Cell combines gets a 1.0 litre 3-pot turbo petrol engine with a compact electric motor. The petrol engine producing 67 bhp, is used to charge the 18KWh lithium-ion batteries that drive the electric motor that produces 100kw and 320 Nm of torque. As such, the car springs from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h (93 mph).

The BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept can travel up to 100 km (62 miles) on electric power alone, before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion batteries, enabling an extended range of 500km (300 miles).

It is worth mentioning the recharging technology used in the car. Due to the special 20 kW rapid charger, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus can be recharged for 50km trips in just 30 minutes and fully charged in about an hour. However, if you use a standard 3.3 kW household outlet, it will take up to six hours for fully charged.

Mercedes-Benz Launches B-Class F-CELL - First series-produced hydrogen fuel cell car

Some carmakers use the color blue to denote their ecologically advanced vehicles and drivetrains, such as Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO electric vehicle concepts, which include the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Cell Plus. One of concepts, Mercedes-Benz B-Class f-cell, the world's first series production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, is set to production at the end of 2009. Initially, there will be only 200 models available in the United States and Europe.

The B-Class F-CELL is going to be a milestone for Mercedes-Benz. "The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world's first fuel cell powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions." According to Mercedes.

Based on Mercedes-Benz's B-Class platform, the front-wheel drive B-Class f-cell combines a high-performance hydrogen fuel cell system with an electric motor, producing an output of 100kW (136hp) and peak torque is 290Nm. The reason for its power is the gaseous hydrogen which reacts with atmospheric oxygen at 700 bar to generate a current for the electric motor. The performance figure is comparable to a 2.0-liter gas-powered vehicle. Its top speed reaches 170km/h (105.6 mph), just 26km/h (16.2 mph) less than the naturally aspirated B200.

The fuel cell system uses a1.4 khw lithium-ion battery to capture and store any energy wasted during acceleration and braking. The battery serves the additional purpose of providing a back up power source for the electric motor. With a recharge time of only three minutes, the car will be able to run for 250 miles.

As for fuel cell vehicles, it’s difficult to start in cold weather. However, Mercedes has solved the problem successfully. The B-Class F-CELL is capable of starting even at minus 25 degrees Celsius (-13 F).

This environmentally friendly vehicle manages to run with zero emissions. It also boasts a fuel consumption figure equivalent to 3.3 litres of diesel per 100km in the Euro cycle (71.2 mpg US), or a range of 400km (248.5 mi). The fuel efficiency is 86.6 mpg on the European combined cycle.

Inside, the Mercedes-Benz basic accessories such as leather upholstery, automatic climate control and the COMAND system are equipped.

Mercedes-Benz plans 58 BlueEfficiency models by end of 2009

We have reported Mercedes-Benz was expanding the 2010 E-Class range with two economical four-cylinder models: the E200 CDI turbodiesel and E200 CGI petrol model. However, this is just part of plan. Mercedes-Benz has now announced that there will be 58 BlueEfficiency models on the market by the end of the year (there are 49 vehicles in the image above), including the already reported two models.

What’s BlueEfficiency car? In general, it depicts cars that combine a range of efficiency-enhancing design features and materials that cause a car to be 23% more efficient than a regular vehicle. Just like the new E-Class, combines the latest in engine technology and the world’s best cd value in its class with targeted vehicle optimization measures, including lightweight design and intelligent energy management.

Mercedes-Benz reveals full details on ESF 2009 safety prototype vehicle

Mercedes-Benz is introducing its first Experimental model in 35 years, the ESF 2009 S400 Hybrid experimental Safety Vehicle. The last time Mercedes outfitted an ESF - the German acronym for Experimental Safety Vehicle - prototype was 1974. The new model will be revealed as part of the Mercedes-Benz Museum's Fascination of Technology exhibit.

The new ESF is based on the S 400 Hybrid. Fitted with 13 of Mercedes-Benz's most advanced technologies, from the S400 Hybrid powertrain to the Pre-Safe crash-detection system, center seat airbags and inflatable metal bracing structures, the ESF 2009 showcases almost everything Mercedes is capable of in the field of safety technology.

"Even in economically difficult times, we refuse to make any cuts where innovation is concerned, as shown by the highly complex ESF2009 project, where we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz. Anybody examining the ESF2009 in detail will recognize that more safety and less fuel consumption are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas," said Daimler Chairman and Mercedes-Benz CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche.

The most outlandish features - the under-car airbag brakes, dubbed Braking Bag, and inflatable metal structures, called Pre-Safe Structure - are actually more realistic than they seem at first blush. The inflatable crash structures allow for lighter-weight and more compact construction to be used, then inflated and stiffened in the moments before impact with high-pressure air. The airbag brakes use the same function to slam a braking system into the ground, hugely increasing the surface area of friction forces to slow the car.

For those worried about the Braking Bag's effect on steering, fear not: it will only deploy once the on-board Pre-Safe computers have determined a collision is inevitable. Of course, that still doesn't tell us how the system would affect the car's dynamics when the collision occurs in anything but a straight line, but that's the point of such an experimental vehicle, in the end.

Interactive Vehicle Communication is another innovation of the ESF 2009. The IVC system allows cars travelling in opposite directions to communicate with each other in order to warn of upcoming bad weather or road obstacles.

There's also PRE-SAFE Pulse which moves passengers towards the centre of the car by up to 50mm. It does this to reduce the forces acting on their torsos during a lateral collision. The other safety piece is the partial LED main beam which specifically illuminates potential hazards that are detected to be outside of the normal illuminated area.

According to Mercedes, 'most' of the technologies on the ESF 2009 demonstration prototype are fully functional. Full details and specifications for the super-safe exhibition car will be forthcoming later this month.

Mercedes-Benz SL63 RS by Kicherer

Kicherer, car tuner from Germany, has unveiled the Kicherer SL 63 RS which is based on the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG.

For those who don’t know, the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG has already 525 hp and 630 Nm of torque, but it seems that this amount of power was too little and Kicherer decided to improve its performances. Kicherer tuned the standard 525 PS 6.2-liter V8 engine to produce 560 PS. The maximum torque has also increase from 630 Nm to 670 Nm.

At the exterior, the SL 63 RS features aerodynamic kit made of carbon fiber which consists of a new front spoiler, LED daylight driving lights, headlight blenders, a new front grille, a bumper on the front wings along with special mirror covers and a new rear diffuser. New exhaust system with four exhaust outlets has also been added.

To improve downforce, the Kicherer SL 63 RS is fitted with an integrated boot lid spoiler laminated with carbon fiber.

Kicherer also added a Vmax upgrade to the SL 63 which disables the electronic brakes at 250 km/h. To match the increase of speed, the car is equipped with ABC suspension system and new braking system.

The modified Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG stands on 20-inch light metal wheels wrapped with 255/30 tires at the front and 305/25 tires at the rear.

Inside, the Kicherer SL 63 RS features carbon fiber trim and a new sports steering wheel.

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 100th anniversary of trademark with special-edition CL 500

To celebrate one hundredth birthday of the Mercedes three-pointed star and the Benz emblem, the company launched an exclusive edition of the CL 500 Coupe called “Trademark Centenary”.

The CL-Class has been acknowledged as a masterpiece of automobile engineering since its inception. It combines the comfort of a prestigious luxury saloon with the dynamism of a sports car, with a captivating design and trailblazing high-tech features. With its exclusive appointments, the special “100 years of the trademark” model underlines the special status of the CL.

The special-edition CL 500 gets a unique metallic graphite paint finish from Mercedes' 'designo' custom collection, an AMG sports package, top-grade, partly hand-stitched aniline leather, piano black lacquer trim elements and examples of the trademarks set into the center console. Power comes from the same 388hp (285kW) V8 found in other CL 500 coupes.

The AMG package includes a set of front, side and rear fascia treatments plus sport pedals and painted brake calipers. Special 20in split-spoke wheels in titanium grey - unique to the CL 500 Trademark Centenary edition - are shod with 255/35 rubber up front and 275/35 treads out back.

The 100th birthday of the Mercedes star is actually yet to come, however - it was first registered in June 24, 1909 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. Just over a month later, on August 6, 1909, August Benz & Cie. registered the 'Benz' mark ensconced in a laurel wreath. The two marks didn't join forces until a year before the merger of Daimler and Benz, which took place in 1926.

By the way, the special “100 years of the trademark” model can be ordered with immediate effect, and will be available from 26 June as the CL 500 and CL 500 4MATIC. The extra price for the extensive and highly desirable additional appointments is 17,850 Euro incl. 19% German VAT.

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