Mercedes looking to Lotus for hybrid know-how?
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Lotus, Mercedes Benz
We've run across a few reports now that Mercedes may have sought out help from a seemingly unlikely source for technical expertise in the design of their new hybrid system, slated first for their flagship S Class sedan. The source is Lotus, who does not currently offer any hybrid vehicles. Lotus does, however, often collaborate with other car companies, Like Tesla Motors who is relying heavily on Lotus engineering excellence in designing their Roadster. Lotus has also developed other fuel-saving technologies. ZAP has also reportedly been in touch with Lotus, although we are not really expecting a great deal of new information on that front any time soon.
The hybrid system that Mercedes is working on seems to place the electric motor between the engine and the transmission. The engine choices should be a 268-hp 3.5L V6 using gasoline or a 2.2L 168 hp diesel equipped with the Mercedes Bluetec system to reduce diesel exhaust emissions.
[Source: AutoCar via Autoblog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2007 @ 3:56PM
Tony Belding said...
It's a bit misleading to say Lotus don't offer any hybrid vehicles of their own. Lotus Engineering helped develop the EVE Hybrid for their corporate parent, Proton of Malaysia. Check it: http://www.gizmag.com/go/7130/
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7-11-2007 @ 10:24PM
Joseph said...
Mercedes should consider producing electric cars. I'm sure they can negotiate a deal saying that if they produce X amount of electric cars, then they can have their CAFE be a little lower.
Electric cars are pretty high performence, like Mercedes is. Electric cars don't go over 200 miles or so; Mercedes drivers tend to be pretty wealthy so I'm sure they have a second car. Mercedes cars are expenisve, like electric cars are currently due to the lack of mass production, so they can sell them to rich folks who can eat up the cost.
Why not?
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7-18-2007 @ 4:50AM
tariq said...
they should tune the suspension as well!
Reply
8-13-2007 @ 2:53PM
Katalina said...
Mercedes SL-V sports and much more luxury.
Post-return company Daimler-Benz in the world of sports marked a sensational model 300SL Gullwing Coupe. Launched in 1951 with a manufacturer's model code W194 based on units serial 300S sedan.
"Trehsoty was to head above its competitors (Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar 150) both the technical and design. The value it has also exceeded 1-300 cost as much as three Jaguars 150. Design "hundredth" has been very successful
More: http://review-mercedes.blogspot.com/2007/07/mercedes-sl-review.html
More: http://review-mercedes.blogspot.com
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