The hybrid technology agreement between Daimler and BMW means that the world's (likely) first lithium-ion battery to go into a production vehicle - the S400 BlueHybrid (pictured) - will also probably make its way into BMW models. According to the Wall Street Journal and Just-Auto (reg req'd)], BMW paid some of the development costs of this battery, developed by Continental AG, in order to have access not long after Daimler does. The li-ion S400 should be out in 2009 and other companies will be able to get similar batteries from Continental, the WSJ reported.

[Source: WSJ, Just-Auto (reg req'd)]

The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid that was announced Friday, will likely be the first production lithium ion hybrid in the world. The important milestone here is the lithium ion battery chemistry, something that Reuters is giving us more information about. The S-class' li-ion cell will be supplied by Continental, which the tea leaves kind of predicted a few months ago. The S400 installs could give the battery maker a potential head start in its effort to beat Korea's LG Chem to produce the batteries for the Chevy Volt. A GM spokesperson told Reuters that both LG and Conti's batteries look encouraging to the automaker, so the advantage of being first on the market may not be as powerful as I suspect.

[Source: Reuters]

Mercedes-Benz has shown a handful of different models with their new mild hybrid system as auto show concepts over the past six months. This morning they finally announced official production plans for the first of those, the new S400 BlueHybrid. The S400 uses Mercedes 3.5L V-6 gas engine combined with the 15kW electric motor/generator. Unless someone else jumps in first, the S400 will be the first production automotive hybrid in the world to use a lithium ion battery. On the concepts shown last fall the battery was actually small enough to be mounted under-hood so that it doesn't intrude on trunk space. One of the advantages of the under-hood installation is that the engineers have been able to integrate the battery with the vehicle climate control system to regulate its temperature ensuring optimal performance.

On the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) which combines city and highway driving, the big S400 manages 29.8mpg (U.S.) which is pretty impressive for a vehicle of this type with a gas engine. The S400 BlueHybrid will be launching in calendar 2009 in both North America and Europe along with the ML450 hybrid. The ML450 also uses the 3.5L V-6 but it's combined with the two-mode hybrid system. More Mercedes models using the mild hybrid will be launched eventually as well including diesel hybrids. The Mercedes-Benz press release is after the jump.

The Mercedes S400 Bluetec diesel hybrid concept making its North American debut at the LA Auto Show this week isn't the company's first hybrid idea, but it is one of the best-looking, and the combination of diesel and electric power gets this luxury machine up to 40 mpg. Considering the size and power of the S400, that's a great number. Tell me again why automakers are so afraid of the 35 mpg CAFE standards when cars like this are (at least in concept form) possible.

Mercedes promises the V6 BLUETEC diesel engine under the S400's hood can deliver "the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder." If you're intrigued by the look and the performance of this car, hang on to your cash, as it won't be available until "after 2010." More after the jump.



Related:

• Next Mercedes-Benz E-Class could get BlueTec-Two-Mode hybrid powertrain
• Frankfurt 2007: Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrids

[Source: Mercedes]