Mercedes-Benz revealed their latest edition to the CLA-Class family, expanding the lineup to include a CLA 45 AMG Racing Series concept car as well as the CLA 250 Sport. Both versions of the all new CLA will premier at the 65th International Motor Show (IAA) next week.
The CLA 45 AMG Racing Series, with engine upgrades, stripped down interior and aerodynamic updates, offers a glimpse at what Mercedes offers their customer sports racing teams.
Also revealed was the CLA 250 Sport. Likely to follow in the footsteps of the A 250 Sport, the CLA 250 sport will feature a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine capable of producing 208 bhp (155 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).
Check the photo gallery below for the photos or expand the press release below for complete details.
Stay tuned next week for full Mercedes-Benz coverage at the IAA.
The sedan is followed by the two-door model: At the Geneva Motor Show 2010 the BRABUS E V12 Coupe celebrates its world debut as the world’s fastest Gran Tourismo.
Based on the new Mercedes E-Class coupes, BRABUS builds a luxurious 2+2-seater in small-series production. It is powered by a BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 twelve-cylinder displacement engine that produces 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW of power and a peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft).
BRABUS, accepted by the German Federal Vehicle Registration Agency (Kraftfahrtbundesamt) as an automobile manufacturer, offers this high-performance automobile capable of reaching speeds in excess of 370 km/h (230 mph) starting at 478,000 Euros MSRP.
Like the fourth-generation BRABUS E V12 sedan the new E V12 Coupe is powered by a BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 displacement engine. Drawing upon decades of experience in developing and building high-performance vehicles the twelve-cylinder engine was fitted into the engine bay of the two-door E-Class.
The basis for this engine is the twelve-cylinder twin-turbo engine from the latest Mercedes 600 models. Displacement of the engine is increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 384 cu. in.) with the help of a special crankshaft, larger cylinder bore and correspondingly larger pistons. Both three-valve cylinder heads are optimized for mixture flow, and fitted with sport camshafts.
Underneath the custom-made hood with integrated carbon-fiber RAM airbox is space for a completely newly developed air intake system. This twin-turbo system was designed from the ground up for the new E V12 generation. It includes two custom high-performance headers with integrated turbochargers and four water-to-air intercoolers. The stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts was also custom-tailored for the confined space under the E-Class Coupe.
In addition, the BRABUS engine specialists have developed a precision engine management system that controls injection, ignition and driving dynamics systems. The result is an optimal combination of impressive power yield and eco-friendly emissions that meet strict EURO IV exhaust limits.
The BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 engine is lubricated with high-tech motor oil from technology partner ARAL. It produces a rated power output of 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW at 5,500 rpm. The even more impressive peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft), available already at a low 2,100 rpm, is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).
Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a BRABUS high-performance limited-slip differential. The BRABUS E V12 comes standard with state-of-the-art driving stability programs that can be deactivated at the push of a button.
Performance of the coupe is as exceptional as that of the four-door model: The BRABUS E V12 Coupe sprints from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds, and reaches 300 km/h (186 mph) after a mere 23.9 seconds. For street-legal use the top speed of the Gran Tourismo is limited electronically to 350 km/h (217 mph). Without the limiter the two-door twelve-cylinder car is capable of speeds in excess of 370 km/h (230 mph).
This extreme performance also places highest demands on the vehicle’s aerodynamic properties. The BRABUS designers went into the wind tunnel to develop a body conversion kit made from high-strength yet especially lightweight carbon fiber. The kit combines sporty design and aerodynamic efficiency to perfection.
The BRABUS front was designed to reduce lift on the front axle and to provide all radiators of the V12 with an optimal supply of cooling air. Air outlets in the sides route the air quickly away from the heat exchangers. Another important design feature was to provide the front brakes with cooling air. Integrated LED daytime running lights further increase active safety.
A wider track means better directional stability at high speeds. Because of that BRABUS has developed special carbon-fiber sport fenders with integrated air vents for the front axle. Special carbon-fiber rear fenders add 60 millimeters (2.4 in.) to the width of the coupe on the rear axle. The BRABUS E V12 Coupe runs on especially wide wheels fitted with high-performance tires from Pirelli or YOKOHAMA. The 19-inch combination is perfect for the enormous top speed the car is capable of. The wheels are 9.5 inches and 10 inches wide and customers can choose from BRABUS Monoblock designs VI, E, Q and S. Tires in size 265/30 ZR 19 are mounted on the front axle. Size 285/30 ZR 19 tires on the rear axle provide optimal traction.
Rocker panels with integrated illuminated BRABUS logo and LED entrance lights route the air stream along the sides with minimum turbulence. They also lend the two-door car a longer, sleeker appearance.
The BRABUS rear apron with carbon-fiber diffuser features a centrally mounted reflector and custom-tailored cutouts on either side for the BRABUS quad sport exhaust system. The BRABUS rear spoiler is essential for well-balanced aerodynamics at high speed.
To make the BRABUS E V12 Coupe not only a superior road warrior but upon request also an extremely sporty racer on the track the suspension was completely redesigned. The redesign includes special suspension components on front and rear axle that offer a wider range of individual suspension settings.
These measures are complemented by a BRABUS coil-over suspension that features a multitude of selectable settings for bound and rebound. The shock absorbers on the front and rear axle feature ten selectable settings for bound and rebound. The ride height has an adjustment range of 35 millimeters (1.4 inches). Sport sway bars can further minimize body roll during fast cornering.
The BRABUS high-performance brake system meets the toughest demands, on the road or on the track. The front axle features 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and vented and grooved steel brake discs measuring 380 x 37 millimeters (15.0 x 1.5 inches). The rear axle stops on six-piston aluminum fixed calipers gripping discs measuring 360 x 28 millimeters (14.2 x 1.1 inches). The BRABUS high-performance brake system incorporates all functions of the standard Brake Assist system of the Mercedes E-Class.
The interior combines sporty character with luxurious ambiance. An ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel is part of the equipment list of the BRABUS E V12 Coupe as are sport seats upholstered with the finest leather. The seats provide excellent seating comfort and lateral support.
Genuine carbon-fiber trim on dashboard, center console and doors adds further sporty highlights.
BRABUS E V12 Coupe – Technical Data
Body
2-door coupe based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, model series C 207.
Unibody, with BRABUS aluminum front sport fender flares and carbon-fiber rear fender flares steel body widened by 60 millimeters (1.4 inches) on the rear axle. BRABUS E V12 Coupe carbon-fiber aerodynamic-enhancement kit with front apron, rocker panels, rear spoiler and rear diffuser. BRABUS hood with integrated RAM airbox.
Dimensions:
Length 4.698 mm – 184.9 in.
Width 1.846 mm – 72.7 in.
Height 1.358 mm – 53.5 in.
Curb weight 1.850 kg – 4,078 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight 2.290 kg – 5,049 lbs.
Fuel capacity/reserve 66 l / 8 l – 17.4 gal. / 2.1 gal.
Engine
BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 displacement engine based on Mercedes 600.
V12-cylinder 3-valvel light-alloy engine with two turbochargers
Displacement 6,233 cm³
Compression ratio 9.0 : 1
Rated power output 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW at 5,500 rpm
Torque 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft) from 2,100 rpm (electronically limited to 1,100 Nm / 811 lb-ft)
Fuel Super plus (98 ROZ) / Premium gasoline 98 octane
Motor oil: ARAL
BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 engine conversion consists of:
Displacement increase to 6.3 liters with special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger cylinder bore and corresponding pistons. Inlet and outlet ports of both cylinder heads optimized for mixture flow including installation of special camshafts. BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 system with two high-performance turbochargers and special exhaust manifolds with integrated turbine housings, four water-to-air intercoolers and special air intake tract. BRABUS stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts. Newly programmed mapping for engine electronics and on-board diagnostics.
Powertrain
RWD, ESP
Reinforced five-speed automatic transmission
Gear ratios
1st gear 3.59
2nd gear 2.19
3rd gear 1.41
4th gear 1.00
5th gear 0.83
Reverse gear 3.16
BRABUS limited-slip differential with locking rate of 40 percent
Final drive ratio either 2.65 : 1 (V/max 315 km/h / 196 mph) or 2.24 : 1 (V/max more than 370 km/h / 230 mph), electronically limited for use on public roads to 350 km/h / 217 mph).
Suspension
Independent suspension front and back with height-adjustable BRABUS coil-over sport suspension.
Front axle:
Three-link axle with custom lower A-arms for individual adjustment of toe-in, camber and caster, anti-dive geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with coil springs and gas-pressure shocks with ten selectable settings for compression and rebound, BRABUS sport sway bar.
Rear axle:
Multi-link suspension with custom upper A-arms for individual adjustment of toe-in, camber and caster, anti-squat and anti-dive geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with coil springs and gas-pressure shocks with ten selectable settings for compression and rebound, BRABUS sport sway bar.
Wheels:
BRABUS Monoblock S alloy wheels with YOKOHAMA ADVAN high-performance tires.
Front: 9.5J x 19 H2 with 265/30 ZR 19
Rear: 10J x 19 H2 with 285/30 ZR 19
Brake system
Dual-circuit brake system with Brake Assist and BRABUS high-performance brakes
Front: BRABUS 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and vented and grooved steel discs measuring 380 x 37 mm (15.0 x 1.5 inches)
Rear: BRABUS six-piston aluminum fixed calipers with vented and grooved steel discs measuring 360 x 28 mm (14.2 x 1.1 inches)
Performance
0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): 3.7 sec.
0 – 200 km/h (124 mph): 9.9 sec.
0 – 300 km/h (186 mph): 23.9 sec.
Top speed: More than 370 km/h / 230 mph (for tire safety reasons limited electronically for use on public roads to 350 km/h / 217 mph)
“We’re driving for victory not only in Formula 1, but also in ‘Formula Green’ – with premium automobiles that combine environmental responsibility with the pure fascination of Mercedes-Benz.” These were the words of Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, speaking today at the press conference marking the opening of the 2010 Geneva Salon. The brand with the three-pointed star is demonstrating here that the lowest consumption and CO2 figures can also be achieved with large, comfortable vehicles equipped with refined engines.
Star of the Premium Class in Geneva: F 800 Style with “green” technology and avant-garde design
One particularly impressive example of this is the F 800 Style which, here in Geneva, Mercedes-Benz is presenting under the title “efficiency meets elegance”. The new research vehicle delivers a comprehensive glimpse into the future of the premium automobile. The five-seat luxury class saloon, which offers a generously proportioned interior with intelligent seating, operating and display concepts, combines highly efficient drive technologies with innovative comfort and safety functions, as well as an emotional design language that interprets modern Mercedes design in line with the brand’s hallmark cultivated sporting character. A global first for large saloons is the all-new variable drive architecture. It is suitable for both fuel-cell electric drive, for a range of around 600 kilometres, and for use as a plug-in hybrid, with an overall range of around 700 kilometres and an electric-only range of 30 kilometres. Both variants of the F 800 Style enable premium mobility with zero local emissions combined with complete everyday usability.
“With the F 800 Style, we are underscoring our drive to bring together responsibility for the environment with practical customer benefits and automotive fascination”, said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Development Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Our new research vehicle combines this leadership role in innovative drive concepts with classic Mercedes strengths in the fields of design, safety, comfort and superb performance.”
With an exterior vehicle length of 4.75 metres (wheelbase 2,924 mm, width 1,938 mm), all the components of the efficient and environmentally-friendly drive are packaged for optimum space usage in the engine bay of the F 800 Style and in cavities within the vehicle chassis. In terms of compact construction, both the plug-in hybrid and fuel cell systems require comparatively little packaging space. Thus, the interior of the F 800 Style is completely unencumbered.
F 800 Style with plug-in-hybrid – refined performance with 68 grams of CO2
In developing the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid, Mercedes engineers paid particular attention to the further development of all-electric driving in urban traffic. Its drive unit consists of a V6 petrol engine with next-generation direct injection developing around 220 kW (300 hp) and a hybrid module with around 80 kW (109 hp) fully integrated into the casing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, as in the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID launched in mid-2009. Its substantial power reserves facilitate a top speed in electric mode of 120 km/h. This means that the F 800 Style can also handle out-of-town traffic conditions. The overall output of the hybrid drive stands at around 300 kW (409 hp).
The efficient drive and a CO2 bonus for battery-electric operation enable the F 800 Style to attain a certified consumption figure of 2.9 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres. This results in CO2 emissions of 68 grams per kilometre. With its efficient drive, the F 800 Style marks another step towards market readiness for the plug-in hybrid, which Mercedes-Benz will put into series production with the next-generation S-Class.
Considerable efficiency improvements in the new C and E-Class models
The brand with the three-pointed star is demonstrating its consistent approach to efficiency at the Geneva Salon with two new series production models – the new E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consumes only 4.9 instead of 5.8 l/100 km, while its CO2 emissions are down from 154 to 129 g/km (preliminary combined figures). The C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY gets by on 4.5 l/100 km or 119 g CO2/km. Both models now have a special automatic start/stop system – combined in the E-Class for the first time with the further developed 7-speed automatic transmission.
Zetsche: “We have significantly reduced consumption and emissions with our BlueEFFICIENCY offensive. Our new models boast an excellent ratio of performance to CO2 emissions, thereby achieving an outstanding degree of efficiency.”
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID – first diesel hybrid from Mercedes-Benz delivers amazing efficiency
Another particularly impressive example of this is the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. The first diesel hybrid from Mercedes-Benz has already successfully entered everyday testing and is scheduled for market launch next year. Its 15 kW electric motor facilitates electric-only driving and supports the 150 kW (204 hp) four-cylinder diesel engine under acceleration (boost effect). With a combined output of 165 kW (224 hp), the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes 4.1 l/100 km. That equates to CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. This sets the comfortable, safe and smooth-running luxury saloon apart not only from its direct competitors, but also from smaller vehicles with considerably less power. When it comes to efficiency, this differential is even greater – with CO2 emissions of 0.48 grams per hp, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID achieves an outstanding result.
“The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is yet another impressive demonstration of our ability to build the most efficient vehicles in the world,” said Dr. Thomas Weber. “Efficiency is a core element of our development strategy that we are implementing consistently in line with the formula – refined performance with simultaneously low consumption. And this enables us to fulfil the high expectations of our customers – exceptional environmental sustainability without sacrificing safety, comfort and dynamics.”
The new E-Class Cabriolet – “four seasons, four passengers”
The new E-Class Cabriolet, which celebrates its European premiere in Geneva, offers refined open-air driving fun from 5.4 l/100 km. “With the open-top four-seater, our successful E-Class family is complete,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The E-Class is very well received on the market; the saloon is currently the world’s best-selling car in its segment. In Western Europe, it has achieved a market share of 31 percent, and in Germany, as much as 56 percent.”
Thanks to its classic soft top, the open four-seater delivers that pure convertible feeling. True to the motto “four seasons, four passengers”, it combines comfort, elegance and year-round usability. This comes courtesy of features such as the unique automatic AIRCAP® wind deflector that deploys at the touch of a button and significantly reduces turbulence in the vehicle interior. It dispenses with the assembly usually associated with conventional wind deflectors and doesn’t interfere with the side profile of the cabriolet. Additional equipment also includes a redeveloped version of the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system integrated into the front seat backrests, which blows warm air from adjustable air vents in the head restraints and warms occupants around the neck area like an invisible scarf.
For comfortable travel with the roof closed, there is the production standard sound-dampening roof. With this, the E-Class Cabriolet boasts one of the quietest interiors in the segment of four-seat premium soft-top cabriolets. The roof can be opened and closed at the touch of a button in just 20 seconds – even while driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. Like all E-Class models, the Cabriolet, too, offers an outstanding level of safety. Standard equipment includes the “ATTENTION ASSIST” drowsiness detection system, “PRE-SAFE®” anticipatory occupant protection, the “Intelligent Light System” and the “DISTRONIC PLUS” adaptive cruise control.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Official F1™ Safety Car
A further highlight of the 2010 Geneva Automobile Salon comes from the motorsport sector. When the new Formula 1 season starts in Manama, Bahrain (12 – 14 March 2010), it will do so with the most spectacular and highest-performing Official F1™ Safety Car of all time. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, celebrating its launch on 27th March 2010, is responsible for ensuring maximum safety in Formula 1. The Gullwing takes over from the SL 63 AMG, which served as the Official F1™ Safety Car in 2008 and 2009.
With the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID being presented at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is offering a look ahead to Western Europe’s first diesel hybrid. It pairs a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp) with a powerful hybrid module. Its 15 kW electric motor, positioned between the internal combustion engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission, assists the diesel engine when the car is accelerating (boost effect) and is used for the recuperation of braking energy in alternator mode, although it is also suitable for driving using electric power alone. Based on the innovative modular system for hybrid vehicles developed by Mercedes-Benz, the diesel hybrid ushers in a new era of hybrid drives. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (CO2 109 g/km). It will be launched at the end of 2011.
The technical basis for the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the E 250 CDI with a four‑cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp). For the new hybrid model, the Mercedes-Benz engineers have used the fuel-efficient 4-cylinder diesel engine in combination with a compact electric motor developing 15 kW. The electric motor draws its energy from a high-voltage, lithium-ion battery, which has already proven itself in the S 400 Hybrid. Despite the high overall output of up to 165 kW (224 hp) and a torque of over 580 Nm, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes no more than 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), equivalent to CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. Fuel consumption is therefore on a par with extremely efficient small cars, while the hybrid drive system outperforms current six‑cylinder diesel engines in terms of output and driving enjoyment.
The exemplary fuel consumption figures are due in no small part to innovative hybrid components and a sophisticated operation strategy incorporating the following principal features:
When driving for longer distances or on the motorway, the intelligent electronics recognise the driving situation and automatically adjust the load point of the internal combustion engine to achieve a lower specific fuel consumption, thereby helping to save fuel and reduce emissions
The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid offers all the driving characteristics of a full hybrid, such as purely electric driving, stop/start function, recuperation, boost effect and, for the first time, “sailing” and silent starting of the internal combustion engine by the high-voltage electric motor.
Even with hybrid technology on board, the E 300 BlueTEC still provides hallmark Mercedes-Benz comfort. The air conditioning compressor and the steering are powered electrically, meaning that both systems operate even when the internal combustion engine is not running. What’s more, none of these measures restrict boot space and variability in the slightest, as all of the hybrid technology, including the high-voltage battery, is housed in the engine compartment. This is made possible thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s sophisticated modularisation concept and the extremely compact components.
From 2011, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Saloon and Estate will expand the range of exceptionally ecofriendly and economical Mercedes-Benz cars, which already features over 70 BlueEFFICIENCY models from the A-Class to the S-Class, including the S 400 HYBRID and the ML 450 HYBRID – the first two hybrid passenger cars to be produced by a European manufacturer.
The highly appealing and emotionally charged Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an intriguing proposition – with clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.
In keeping with the motto “four seasons, four passengers”, all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers’ list of priorities. With the new E‑Class Cabriolet, the open-top season lasts the whole year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads of Western Europe in the autumn, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/width/height: 4698/1786/1402 mm) continues to provide driving pleasure and comfort at this time of year.
New features include:
The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft-top compartment from the boot area; it must be closed in order to close the soft top. If the roof is to remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY – a manually operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.
The powerplants for the new E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the new direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption is not only down to the new engines, but also thanks to a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance, and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle’s electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet’s cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a continuation of the E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.
An overview of the engines :
Less turbulence, easier to use: AIRCAP® is a world-first
In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a “sea of warm air”. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats are easily accessible and the Cabriolet’s flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe .
AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around six centimetres with a net in the windscreen frame and a draught-stop between the rear seats.
The functions of the two components:
As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draught when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 160 km/h and can remain in use right up to the car’s top speed) reduces the interior noise level – so passengers in all seats find it much easier to communicate with each other.
The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an invisible scarf, which warms the occupants’ head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.
The Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for
the E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height-adjustment range, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating regardless of how short or tall they are.
Quiet, warm and windproof: acoustic soft top fitted as standard
Thanks to its acoustic soft top fitted as standard, when closed the E-Class Cabriolet has one of the quietest interiors in the segment for four-seater premium cabriolets with a fabric roof. The soft top’s exceptionally high-quality insulation brings about a clearly noticeable reduction in the interior noise level compared to conventional fabric soft tops. Exterior noise caused by other vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more effectively. On the road, the difference is audible from speeds of just 80 km/h, for example when driving through a tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic soft top are even more tangible. For instance, it is possible to have a perfectly normal phone conversation in hands-free mode even when travelling at a speed of over 200 km/h.
The soft top is of course waterproof and windproof. Plus it can be put through an automatic carwash without any hesitation. With a total thickness of 23.5 mm, the fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that the E‑Class Cabriolet is also ideal for use in winter.
Safety: robust structure, anticipatory protection and windowbags
The new Cabriolet offers the wealth of safety innovations one would expect from a Mercedes model. Highlights of the open-top two-door model include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by two additional tubes and the plug-in B‑pillars. This new model is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags.
The roll-over protection consists of two robust bars, each with a diameter of 35 mm, which are housed in the rear head restraints in modules behind the rear seat backrests. A tilting cone sensor detects imminent danger to the occupants based on extreme skidding movements or acceleration caused by impact. If this sensor then sends a corresponding signal, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated by pyrotechnic means, i.e. extremely quickly.
Consequently, both roll-over bars in the rear head restraints are extended. They reach their highest point and are locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, the steel bars provide highly effective roll-over protection. The plug-in B-pillars are extremely robustly connected as they engage in the side skirts, thus offering highly effective protection in the event of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength steel braces the inside of the B-pillar against the rear seat crossmember.
With seven airbags fitted as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all seats, not to mention crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new E-Class Cabriolet offers the most extensive safety equipment package in this vehicle category. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags and sidebags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver’s side, and headbags. The latter, which appear in a Mercedes cabriolet for the first time, are housed in the door panelling in the beltline area. Covering a wide area – around 0.7 x 0.5 metres, with a volume of 17 litres when deployed – the airbags provide extremely effective protection for large and small occupants in the event of a crash. The side protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimises the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. Rear sidebags are available as an option.
Further exemplary safety equipment available for the E-Class Cabriolet includes ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection, the sophisticated Intelligent Light System, the Active Bonnet and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
The Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle shows the future of premium cars from a new perspective: the one-off five-seater executive saloon combines efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features as well as an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling in line with the brand’s hallmark attribute of refined sportiness. With an exterior length of 4.75 metres, the F 800 Style offers a generously-sized interior incorporating intelligent seating, control and display concepts. Another world-first for large saloons is the all-new, exceptionally flexible multi-drive platform, which is suitable for electric drive with fuel cells, enabling a range of almost 600 kilometres, as well as for a plug-in hybrid that can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity. Both variants of the F 800 Style make locally emission-free mobility possible for a premium car, while at the same time being ideal for everyday driving and providing a dynamic driving experience.
“We are dedicated to reconciling our responsibility for the environment with practical customer benefit in an exciting car,” says Dr Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new F 800 Style research vehicle combines this commitment to providing the leading innovative drive concepts with our traditional Mercedes strengths in the areas of design, safety, comfort and outstanding performance.”
A glimpse of the future for pioneering executive saloons
Within the compact 4.75-metre long exterior of the F 800 Style, all of the components of the vehicle’s exceptionally efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drive systems (plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell drive system) are installed in the engine compartment and in the gaps within the chassis to save space. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space. This applies in particular to the electric drive with fuel cells, which has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz to be compact and powerful. The front end’s compact package was made possible by the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for five occupants.
“For many decades now, our research vehicles have been turning pioneering concepts into reality and thereby setting future trends. We set a course in the large touring saloon segment in 2007, when we unveiled the F 700,” says Professor Herbert Kohler, Head of E-Drive & Future Mobility and Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler. “Characteristic features of the F 800 Style include innovations whose development is already close to the series production stage. This is true not only of the electric drive with fuel cells but also of the plug-in hybrid, whose components were taken from our modular system for electric and hybrid vehicles.”
F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid: outstanding performance and CO2 emissions of 68 grams per kilometre
In combination with the powerful plug-in hybrid drive system, the F 800 Style is a dynamic expression of the “fascination and responsibility” concept. Its drive unit consists of a V6 petrol engine developing around 200 kW (272 hp) with next-generation direct injection, a hybrid module developing around 80 kW (109 hp) and a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket. Thanks to its powerful and high-torque hybrid module, in the city the F 800 Style can run exclusively on electricity and therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it also provides high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle delivers the same level of performance as a car with a V6 petrol engine even when operating in electric mode. The F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid can run purely on electricity for up to 30 kilometres. The F 800 Style research vehicle therefore marks a further important step in the development of a market-ready plug-in hybrid. Mercedes‑Benz will begin series production of this technology when the next-generation S-Class is introduced.
Thanks to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for its battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of 2.9 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres, equivalent to low CO2 emissions of 68 grams per kilometre – six grams per kilometre lower than the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. Yet the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid still delivers performance on a par with a sports car (0-100 km/h in 4.8 s, top speed of 250 km/h). When driven in electric mode, the F 800 Style has a top speed of 120 km/h, and can thus also meet practically every requirement associated with long-distance driving.
As is the case with the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID introduced in the summer of 2009 and the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, the powerful electric module with an output of around 80 kW (109 hp) in the F 800 Style is integrated in the housing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. The lithium-ion battery in the new research vehicle is located underneath the rear seat bench, where it takes up little space, creates a low centre of gravity and ensures maximum safety in the event of a crash.
The electric drive components in the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid once again demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz’s modular hybrid system, which can be expanded in various ways, depending on performance needs and the area of application. On this basis, it is possible to combine hybrid modules and batteries of different performance ratings with fuel-efficient, high-torque petrol and diesel engines. Examples range from the current mild hybrids all the way to plug-in hybrids that enable exclusively electric driving over long distances. When developing the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid, the Mercedes engineers particularly focused on improving the possibilities of driving exclusively with electricity in urban traffic. As a result, the F 800 Style offers even higher power reserves in e-mode than the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. The F 800 Style can therefore easily master all kinds of city traffic while producing no local emissions. With the powerful hybrid module, the top speed of the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid has been increased from 75 km/h to 120 km/h in electric mode compared to the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. Furthermore, it emits 68 grams of CO2 per kilometre, compared to the latter vehicle’s 74 grams per kilometre.
Flexible, safe and fully suited to everyday use: F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel-cell technology
The F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel-cell technology also offers high levels of driving pleasure and handling dynamics. The vehicle’s electric motor develops around 100 kW (136 hp) and has an impressive torque of around 290 Nm. The fuel cell generates the traction current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen on board the vehicle, producing water vapour as the only emission in the process.
The components of the fuel-cell drive are taken from the E-Drive modular system, which Mercedes-Benz has developed for a variety of different electric vehicles. These components, which are already being installed in the limited-edition B-Class F-CELL, can be flexibly used and are suitable for a variety of different drive configurations. The F 800 Style is an example of this, as it uses rear-wheel drive, in contrast to the B-Class F-CELL. The same components are also installed in commercial vehicles, with developments here being spearheaded by the new Citaro fuel-cell bus, which is equipped with two of the F-CELL systems used in passenger cars.
The new Mercedes-Benz research vehicle has the fuel cell located in the front, while the compact electric motor is installed near the rear axle. The lithium-ion battery is positioned behind the rear seats, where it benefits from maximum possible protection against the effects of accidents, as do the four hydrogen tanks. Two of the tanks are located in the transmission tunnel between the passengers, while the other two are underneath the rear seat. They are designed to withstand all conceivable loads that could occur.
F 800 Style with further innovations for enhanced convenience and safety
In addition to a multi-drive platform that is unparalleled for large saloons and a combination of different alternative drive technologies, the F 800 Style features many other technological innovations, such as a new control and display concept and a human-machine interface (HMI) with a cam touchpad. The display has many additional functions not found in conventional instrument clusters. The F 800 Style model’s control and display concept focuses for the first time primarily on electric driving functions.
HMI with cam touchpad for intuitive and reliable control
The new cam touchpad HMI is an intelligent system expansion for COMAND. For many years now, Mercedes-Benz has been forging ahead with the development of innovative control and display systems. A particularly user-friendly innovation is being presented in the F 800 Style. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the centre console and a camera that records video images of the user’s hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form on the central display above the centre console. The user sees the contours of his or her fingers glide across the image without covering anything, thus ensuring that all of the functions of the currently used menu remain visible so that they can be easily operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad. Pressing the display with one’s fingers generates a feeling similar to that of touching laptop keys so that users know when they are carrying out specific actions.
The cam touchpad HMI unit recognises finger movements on the pad surface – such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming – thus enabling intuitive control of the climate control system, telephone, audio and navigation systems, and internet access. The unit enhances active safety as well, since it is extremely easy and convenient to use and therefore does not distract the motorist as much from the actual task of driving. And unlike conventional touchscreens, the HMI c am touchpad does not get smudged with fingerprints, ensuring that it remains clearly visible at all times.
Furthermore, the cam touchpad has clear advantages over conventional touchpad units, since the latter generally depict hand or finger positions only by a small point on the display. Their lack of precision makes it very risky to enter information while driving, because doing so diverts the motorist’s attention too much from the road. By contrast, the HMI with cam touchpad can be easily and safely operated even while driving. Testers have confirmed that the HMI with cam touchpad is extremely easy and safe to use, particularly as a result of the transparent depiction of the hand.
Range on Map: graphic range depiction during electric operation
Another exceptionally user-friendly innovation created by the Mercedes engineers is the “Range on Map” function, which shows the remaining possible travel radius in electric mode as a 360° view on a map. The system provides this function by combining information on the current battery charge level with data from the navigation system. In the new control and display concept, Mercedes‑Benz has created a solution that provides an unparalleled amount of information based on a system of exemplary clarity. The engineers have thus achieved the goal of successfully developing a comprehensive yet easy-to-use information and control system for future cars equipped with electric or partially electric drive systems.
Mirror display is easy on the eyes
The mirror display of the innovative cam touchpad HMI eliminates the differences between close-proximity visibility and visibility over longer distances, thus contributing to the driver’s physiological safety in typical Mercedes style. The system displays driving and vehicle information via a mirror in the instrument cluster so that it appears to be further away. The distance the eye looks into is thus extended, which means less switching between near and far focus – and therefore less fatigue – for the eyes.
New DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function further reduces the stress of driving
In 2006, Mercedes-Benz introduced DISTRONIC PLUS, the world’s first proximity and speed control system that operates right up to the point at which the car comes to a standstill. The system substantially reduces driver stress in dense traffic, as it regulates the distance from the vehicle in front even at very low speeds, all the way down to a standstill. With its new DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function in the F 800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has also become the world’s first car manufacturer to implement a system that is capable of following the vehicle in front of it into bends. The system recognises the difference between driving along twisting roads and turning corners, which means that it does not “blindly” follow the vehicle in front – for example, when the vehicle in front changes lanes in order to exit a motorway. The result is that, at speeds of up to about 40 km/h, the Traffic Jam Assist function takes care of both longitudinal and transverse movements so that the driver does not actually have to steer the car. When the 40 km/h mark is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the Traffic Jam Assist function is deactivated smoothly.
“The DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function is the logical continuation of the Mercedes-Benz assistance and safety philosophy. With it, we are setting another milestone on the path towards creating innovative systems, with which we will further enhance the high level of driving comfort that is a Mercedes hallmark,” says Professor Bharat Balasubramanian, Head of Product Innovations & Process Technologies at Group Research and Advanced Engineering.
The required data is generated by radar distance sensors that are supplemented by a stereo camera. Drivers can, of course, override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors detect the driver’s active steering movements, thus automatically deactivating the system’s lateral control function.
PRE-SAFE 360° improves safety in rear-end collisions
While the Traffic Jam Assist function heightens comfort and active safety, the PRE-SAFE 360° protection system further improves passive safety. PRE‑SAFE 360° is based on the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system developed by Mercedes-Benz. PRE-SAFE 360° also monitors the area behind the vehicle. As a result, the system applies the brakes around 600 milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision occurs. The key advantage of this system is that braking a stationary vehicle that is hit in the rear helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that occur when the car is catapulted uncontrollably towards a junction or a pedestrian crossing. Of course, PRE-SAFE 360° still allows the driver to take control at any time. For example, the brake is released immediately if the driver hits the accelerator knowing that there is sufficient space in front of his or her own vehicle to avoid being hit in the rear.
Rear pivot-and-slide doors make for extremely easy entry
One particularly customer-friendly innovation for the F 800 Style is the rear-door design. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillars in a conventional manner and open wide towards the front, the rear doors slide backwards when opened, as they are suspended from an interior swivel arm. Because the doors slide back close to the vehicle body, occupants find it much easier to get into and out of the car in tight parking spaces.
The elegant F 800 Style also has no B-pillars, making the entire space between the A- and C-pillars fully accessible when the doors are opened. Despite the absence of B-pillars, the F 800 Style boasts an extremely robust and lightweight bodyshell that meets Mercedes’ typically stringent crash-safety requirements.
Reinterpretation of the classic Mercedes-Benz design idiom
The F 800 Style is both a technology platform and a showcar. This research vehicle was created as a result of collaboration between technical research and advanced engineering departments and the advanced design studios in Sindelfingen, Germany and Como, Italy. Its exterior appearance is marked by a long wheelbase, short body overhangs and a sensually flowing roof line.
“The exciting coupe-like roof line and the vehicle’s balanced proportions lend it a stylishly sporty look that reinterprets the Mercedes-Benz design idiom and emphasises the sculptural character of the F 800 Style,” says Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Professor Gorden Wagener. “The result is a harmonious blend of innovative form and function, which conveys a sense of great styling and authority.”
Hallmark Mercedes front end with distinctive LED headlamps
The vehicle’s front end features a variation of the radiator grille with the centrally positioned star that is a hallmark of sporty Mercedes models. The curved radiator grille louvres flow softly around the tube holding the Mercedes star. Along with the wide radiator grille and the generously curved air intake openings, the model’s unique, powerful LED headlamps emphasise the dynamic nature of the research vehicle. The headlamps are divided into individual segments for daytime driving lights, turn signal indicators and main headlamps. The F 800 Style’s tail lights also feature state-of-the-art LED technology, which enables an exciting interplay of indirect illumination and direct beams. The result is an attractive, unmistakable and memorable visual effect.
Wood and light create a cosy interior
Fine wood surfaces and plenty of light ensure a high level of comfort in the interior of the F 800 Style. Occupants will immediately notice the modern sense of lightness: functional elements such as the cockpit and the door armrests seem to float in space like sculptures. The lightweight-construction seats in the F 800 Style consist of a magnesium shell and a carbon-fibre laminate backrest across which resistant netting is stretched. The seat shell also features wood veneer. For the wood veneer process, the Mercedes-Benz engineers used a 3D surface coating procedure designed especially for the veneering of three-dimensional surfaces. This same procedure was used to create the wood finishing in the centre console, on the doors and in the cockpit. These wood finishing pieces are moulded as 3D laminated components and are augmented by an aluminium core, which ensures that the components meet Mercedes’ typically high crash-safety standards.
Successful transfer from research to series production
Mercedes-Benz has presented 13 research vehicles since the early 1980s. This series of exciting and pioneering cars – beginning with the Auto 2000 in 1981 and leading up to today’s F 800 Style – offers proof of the consistency and foresight with which Mercedes-Benz engineers address the core issues of research and technology in order to develop innovative solutions for the future. Many systems that were first used in research vehicles and viewed as revolutionary at the time can now be found in Mercedes-Benz production cars, including the DISTRONIC proximity control system, which was first installed in the F 100 in 1991 and made its series-production debut in the S-Class in 1998.
The F 800 Style marks a continuation of this approach. Like its predecessors, the model features key drive, comfort, and safety innovations, as well as an avant-garde design, all of which point the way forward for the series production of future Mercedes-Benz vehicles that will continue to deliver an impressive take on the “fascination and responsibility” theme.
The world-famous Swiss designer Rolf Sachs has taken the smart slogan “open your mind” literally and has come up with his own ideas to design a smart fortwo for the Geneva Motor Show. He used his unique splashing and marking technique as an unusual means of expression to create an enthusiastic and lively look with fine splashes of colour. Rolf Sachs’ white designer vehicle is also decorated with splashes of colour. The creative play of colours even includes the white rims and the interior – because art knows no boundaries.
smart and Rolf Sachs are a great team as both the young car brand and the work of the unconventional designer are characterised by new ideas, joie de vivre and responsibility towards the environment. This is why Rolf Sachs has once again been commissioned to design the smart lounge at the Geneva Motor Show and give it a special ambience with his own personal style.
Rolf Sachs is the son of wealthy industrialist and photographer Gunter Sachs and has lived and worked in London since 1994. Rolf Sachs is regarded as one of the big names in the creative design scene.
smart’s tailor made programme aims to meet the requirements of all those customers who want to drive a smart fortwo customised to their own ideasin line with the principle “Anything is possible”. To accomplish this smart is offering extensive special equipment options in addition to the normal equipment variants. For example, customers can choose the exterior colour, types of leather and cabrio soft top colour from a wide range. There are barely any limits. The following are available:
Those who feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities can choose from attractive “tailor made” packages.
The tailor-made models are made-to-measure in the truest sense of the word. This means that not only are they individually made; they are customised at the factory with masterly craftsmanship using top quality materials and parts tested by the manufacturer – of course with a full manufacturer’s guarantee.
smart-BRABUS tailor made sets new standards of car customisation in this class.
Spring is in the air at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and invites visitors to the smart stand to take a break and recharge their batteries. Minimum stress and easy-going joie de vivre are also declared aims of the new smart fortwo electric drive which has been rolling off the production line at smart’s factory in Hambach, France since mid November 2009. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available. The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. In Germany, a full battery charge costs approximately two euros and is sufficient for a range of around 135 kilometres – more than enough for city traffic. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for mobility with zero local emissions in urban areas. The first models of the new smart fortwo electric drive were handed over to customers in Berlin on 17 December 2009. Further cities in Europe and the USA will follow, allowing the environmentally friendly trendsetter to demonstrate its suitability for everyday use. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available to anyone interested.
Marc Langenbrinck, responsible for brand management at smart says “In 1998 smart revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle concept. Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and redefining zero-emission urban mobility. We are the first manufacturer to launch a series-produced electric vehicle. Daimler is spearheading electric mobility with the smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption anyway.”
Environmental friendliness and state-of-the-art functionality have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and it brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful, modern and yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.
smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun
The new smart fortwo electric drive, which started rolling off the production line in mid November 2009, is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.
In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck says “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with no compromises.”
Electric drive factored in from the very first concept
The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety, agility, comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models. The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.
Powerful drive
A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 – 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial said “You can beat anything at the lights”. The maximum speed of the smart fortwo electric drive has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable maximum speed for the city.
Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is required. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine’s direction of rotation changes. “Fantastic and easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go” was how experienced users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.
The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery developed by Tesla Motors Inc. with capacity of 16.5 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket. A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 – 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. At an average speed of 25 – 30 km/h that is normal in city traffic the smart fortwo electric drive can drive for around four to five hours continuously before it needs to be recharged. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.
Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. This battery management system constantly monitors voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving uphill at constant peak power (kickdown) – the electronics reduce the power output. However, this is barely noticeable and it rules out the risk of battery overload.
The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacity display. The vehicle’s power electronics supply the vehicle’s electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.
Extensive equipment
The new second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with high quality equipment. As well as air conditioning with automatic temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includessmart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy. In addition, all new second generation smart fortwo electric drives have green painted wheels, green mirror caps, green contrast components and a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil. The words “electric drive” on the rear and in the mirror triangle also draw attention to the vehicle’s special status.
Very low costs
Based on German electricity prices it costs approximately two euros to drive the smart fortwo electric drive for 100 kilometres (even cheaper with off-peak electricity ). This is less than the price of two litres of petrol. Electric power is much cheaper in lots of countries. The maintenance costs are considerably lower than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor and other components of the electric drive are practically maintenance-free.
There are also numerous other factors that make electric mobility attractive for customers. Tax relief and other government subsidies are an important aspect. For example, the state of Monaco offers tax relief of up to €9,000 to electric car owners. Other countries have also set up funding programmes for sustainable mobility. France grants a “super environment incentive” of €5000 for every vehicle emitting less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre. China and Japan have announced subsidies of €6,500 and €11,000 respectively.
smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA
Since the end of 2009 the second generation smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to selected leasing customers. Leases are offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles were handed over to customers in December within the framework of the “e-mobility Berlin” project . Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin Daimler is creating ideal conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions. This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest. But as mentioned, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at any household safety socket with a 16 amp fuse (standard in Germany and other countries).
Further vehicles of the new generation smart fortwo electric drive will take to the roads of Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa and Madrid and they will also be deployed in further projects in Europe. Start: in the first half of 2010. Some of the models will also be sent to US cities in the second half of 2010.
There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This third generation will be fitted with a new lithium-ion battery which Daimler is developing to production maturity in cooperation Evonik. The lithium-ion battery currently used comes from Tesla and represents state-of-the-art technology. However, further progress is anticipated. The main differences between the two batteries lie in the structural design. The Tesla battery consists of lots of cylinder-shaped cells. The Daimler battery will be made up of fewer but larger plate units. This will first and foremost enable a greater energy density to be achieved (and therefore a higher range) and an even longer life.
With the smart fortwo electric drive the brand is underlining its pioneering role on the road to attractive individual mobility with no local emissions in cities and urban areas. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars says “All in all we believe that the outlook for electric mobility is good. Whilst our competitors are still presenting electric show cars, smart brought production models that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads last year. This once again demonstrates our technical expertise and responsibility.”
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the highlight of this year’s International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, is on display in a stunning gold paint finish at the Dubai International Motor Show. This matt silk finish with the designation “AMG Desert Gold” lends an extraordinary aura to the new super sports car. The show in Dubai is also the premiere of the special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR “Edition 79” model. The Dubai Inter-national Motor Show is regarded as the most important motor show in the Middle East, and takes place every two years.
Matt gold on the aluminium body together with striking highlights in high-gloss black – an extraordinary and highly attractive combination. With its matt silk surface, “AMG Desert Gold” further accentuates the sporty appearance of the Gullwing model. All the decorative and mounted features that are in shining chrome or Silver Shadow in the standard SLS AMG have been given a deep-black paint finish by AMG’s designers. Whether for the Mercedes star and the trim strip on the cross fin at the front, the fins on the bonnet and flanks, the filler cap or all the model plates: high-gloss black is used everywhere, ensuring a striking contrast with the matt silk sheen of the gold paintwork. The black-painted AMG light-alloy wheels in size 9.5 x 19 at the front and 11.0 x 20 at the rear are embellished with a golden ring on the rim flange.
“AMG Desert Gold” has currently only been used for the display vehicle at the Dubai International Motor Show, but given sufficient customer demand, this special gold paint finish could become available as an individual optional extra from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO. Two alluring matt paint finishes – AMG Monza grey magno” and “designo magno alanite grey” – are already offered for the SLS AMG. And as a highlight, the unique “AMG alubeam silver”, a finish that makes the paintwork glisten like liquid metal. At present SLS AMG customers have a choice of nine attractive paint colours.
Completely black interior, with plenty of solid carbon-fibre
The interior of the special SLS AMG model is in uncompromising, sporty black, the AMG sports bucket seats corresponding with the solid carbon-fibre centre console and other carbon-fibre interior features. Opening the bonnet reveals the 420 kW (571 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, which is strikingly framed by the high-quality carbon-fibre engine compartment cover.
“The premiere of the SLS AMG in “AMG Desert Gold” at the Dubai International Motor Show is a token of respect for the Middle East. After the USA, Germany and Japan, the Gulf region is the fourth-largest market for AMG,” says Volker Mornhinweg, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR “Edition 79” model
Exclusively destined for the Middle East, the special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR “Edition 79” model is a reference to the sales start of the series in 1979. This 373 kW (507 hp) off-road icon has a particularly large community of fans in the Gulf region – which is the largest sales market for the top AMG model. The “Edition 79” has a highly attractive combination of unique features: the exclu-sivity of this limited edition of 79 off-roaders is immediately made apparent by the “designo magno alanite grey” paint finish. This matt finish is already familiar from the SLS AMG, but is otherwise unavailable for the G-Class. The G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR “Edition 79” differs from the standard model in having a crash bar at the front, carbon-look side trim strips, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a titanium finish and chromed protective grilles for the front indicators, tail lights and the underguard. Eyecatching interior features include the designo leather seats in black/sand, high-quality, solid carbon-fibre trim and the Edition logo “1 out of 79” positioned in front of the selector lever.
Prestigious setting for other AMG high-performance models
At the Dubai International Motor Show, AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, is demonstrating the variety of its model range currently consisting of 16 high-performance models. One particularly attractive example on display is the E 63 AMG, the new sports saloon with a 386 kW (525 hp) AMG 6.3‑litre V8 engine. The C 63 AMG and the S 63 AMG complete the AMG lineup at the show. Eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the display stand are equipped with the AMG Sports package – among them the S 400 HYBRID and the new E-Class Coupé. The Dubai International Motor Show is open to visitors from 16 to 20 December 2009.