In our reports on the Mercedes-Benz S400 and S300 Bluetech hybrids we mentioned that the cars use a lithium ion battery. Both of these cars, as well as the C-Class hybrid that Mercedes is displaying at the Frankfurt Motor Show, use a new mild hybrid system. The mild hybrid system was co-developed with BMW although the Munich brand has yet to show any of their applications. A mild hybrid system can't drive the vehicle on electricity alone so it doesn't need as much battery capacity as a strong hybrid like the Two-Mode system in the ML450.

In order to optimize the packaging of the system to allow it to be easily installed in many vehicles, Mercedes is placing the battery pack under-hood by the engine. Limited under-hood space means a nickel metal hydride battery was out of the question. The lithium pack is being supplied by Johnson Controls-Saft which is also one of the development suppliers to the Saturn Vue PHEV program at GM. Since GM has indicated that they have no interest in pursuing lithium metal oxide chemistries (those are the kind used in laptops that have nasty thermal problems), it's likely the JCS unit for Mercedes doesn't use this type either. The first of the Mercedes S400 hybrids is due to launch in 2009 at about the same time as the PHEV Saturn Vue. It remains to be seen which one makes it to market first.

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We already brought you news the other day that Mercedes is set announce a diesel hybrid version of the big S-Class sedan in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It now appears that a gasoline hybrid will be sitting alongside it on the stand under the three-pointed star. At the Frankfurt show in 2005, Mercedes also showed both gas and diesel hybrid versions of the S-Class but didn't provide much detail aside from the electric motor being integrated into the drive-train.

This tends to point in the direction of a new application of the Two-Mode hybrid being developed by GM, DCX and BMW, although it may also be mild hybrid that Mercedes is developing just with BMW. Either way, it looks like Mercedes will not follow Lexus's lead by using the hybrid to enhance power like the LS600h. Instead, the gas hybrid will slot into the middle of the lineup mated to a 3.5L direct injected V-6. This will reportedly yield over 25mpg combined in the 4,500lb S-Class.

[Source: AutoCar (subs req'd)]

By now, we have all come to realize that not all hybrids are created equal. Some hybrid drivetrains are designed to maximize fuel mileage, while some cater to the performance crowd. Hybrids are available or are being designed for everything from basic transportation to Sport Utility Vehicles and Luxury cars and even sports cars. So, I was not all that surprised to read that Mercedes has plans for a hybrid version of their range-topper, the S Class sedan. But, I found it a bit odd that the car was to use a small 2.2 liter four-cylinder engine. Now, this engine is a twin turbo Bluetec diesel, but still, the idea of a four cylinder extra large, extra heavy luxury sedan must be met with some surprise, right? Anyway, the drivetrain is apparently capable of hitting 35 miles per gallon, which is very good for a vehicle this size, and it should be capable of even better figures in the smaller E Class and C Class vehicles that will inherit the engine later as well. No word yet on whether these vehicles will make it over to the U.S. or what they will cost.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Mercedes-Benz development head Thomas Weber announced today at the Geneva Motor Show that the Stuttgart brand will produce it's first hybrid vehicles in 2009. Parent company DaimlerChrysler has two separate joint development projects in process for hybrids. They just announced a project with BMW to create a mild hybrid system have been working with BMW and General Motors on the full two-mode hybrid system.

Weber didn't reveal which Mercedes platform, or which system would hit the streets in '09, although BMW said they will have the mild hybrid in production in the same time frame. The Chrysler side of the business will introduce a two-mode hybrid in the Durango in 2008.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]