Mercedes is Making a Plugin Hybrid EV

For starters, Mercedes-Benz’ F800 Style research vehicle is showing the future of premium automobiles. All from a new perspective. That’s the five-seat premium sedan combining highly efficient drive technologies. All with unparalleled safety and convenience features. Never mind an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling. Styling in line with the brand’s hallmark attribute of refined performance.

In addition, the F800 Style has a spacious interior and full of intelligent seating. Another unique feature of the large sedan is an all-new multi drive platform. A platform which accommodates electric drives with the use of Plug-in Hybrids.  Finally we want EV soon enough but this one can drive for up to 18 miles solely on electricity. AGAIN NEEDS MORE BUT LET THEM SELL ONE ALREADY!

A glance into the future of pioneering premium sedans

Within the 15.5-foot external length of the F800 Style, all of the components of the vehicle’s efficient and environmentally compatible. All using alternative drives which are installed in a space-saving manner. Both in the engine compartment and the gaps within the chassis. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space.

Therefore and as a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for five occupants.

F800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid: Outstanding performance despite emissions of only 68 grams CO2 per kilometer

In combination with the very powerful Plug-in Hybrid drive system, the F800 Style is a very dynamic expression of the concept of “fascination and responsibility.” Its drive unit consists of a V6 gasoline engine with an output of 300 hp with next-generation direct injection and a hybrid module with an output 109 hp so that it delivers a total power of around 409 hp. The lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of >10 kWh 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 F800 Style can run exclusively on electricity, therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it also has high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle has the same driving performance as a car with a V6 gasoline engine even when operating in electric mode.

The F800 Style with the Plug-in Hybrid can run purely on electricity for up to 18 miles.

The F800 Style research vehicle therefore marks a further important step in the creation of a market-ready Plug-in Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz will begin series production of the S500 Plug-in Hybrid with the introduction of the next-generation S-Class.

Due to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of only 2.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This corresponds to extremely low CO2 emissions of only 68 grams per kilometer. However, thanks to its outstanding efficiency, the F800 Style equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid nevertheless has a driving performance comparable to a sports car (0-60 mph 4.7 s, top speed of 155 mph). When in electric mode, the F800 Style has a top speed of 75 mph. Thereby meeting the needs associated with long-distance driving.

Like the Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID introduced in the summer of 2009 and the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid. So the powerful electric module (approx. 80 kW) of the F800 Style is completely integrated. Integrated into the housing of the seven-speed transmission. The lithium-ion battery in the new vehicle is located underneath the rear seat. That’s where it takes up little space, creates a low center of gravity.  So finally it ensures maximum safety in the event of a crash.

In developing the F800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid, the Mercedes engineers specifically focused EV city. Especially on improving the pure electric driving in urban traffic. Thanks to high power reserves, the F800 Style in e-mode easily masters all kinds of city traffic. Meanwhile producing no local emissions.

With the new hybrid module, the top speed of the F800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid increased to 75 mph. 75 mph in all electric mode; compared to the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid. At the same time, it emits only 68 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Finally, that’s compared to the latter vehicle’s 74 grams per kilometer.

Source: Mercedes Benz
From February 20, 2010.