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Mercedes production fuel-cell arrives in '09; M-B Blue-ZERO concept debuts at Detroit Auto Show
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Mercedes-Benz will have a fuel-cell powered vehicle in production—albeit small scale—in 2009 and will follow with battery-electric drive in 2010, according to Dr. Thomas Weber, a member of the Daimler AG board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The modified sandwich-floor platform provides the perfect basis for a wide model range with electric drive systems,” says Weber.
The basis for the new models will be shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January in three concept vehicles, the BlueZERO E-CELL (all-electric), the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) and BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS (electric with gasoline-engine “range extender”). The concept cars demonstrate Mercedes’ technology and how the drive components can be located for maximum flexibility from modular components.
The BlueZERO concepts share a sandwich-floor architecture in development at Mercedes-Benz over the past ten years, first for the small A-Class and then larger B-Class model range. The advantages of the layout include a low center of gravity from placing the mechanicals very low in the vehicle and also safety by placing them within the well-protected vehicle underbody.Typical for this class of car, the BlueZERO concepts have front-wheel drive but Mercedes engineers have developed modular components allowing different drive configurations within the basic platform. These include the latest liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries and a compact electric motor with a maximum output of 134 horsepower (100 kW).
With battery-electric drive the BlueZERO E-CELL has a range of up to 120 miles. The fuel cell-powered F-CELL version of BlueZERO will go “well over” 240 miles. The E-CELL PLUS with the range-extending internal combustion engine as a power generator (similar in concept to the Chevrolet Volt) has a range of up to 360 miles, and can travel up to 60 miles on battery power alone.
“We are also developing a new, additional platform for future compact models with power units based on optimized internal combustion engines. The intelligent networking of both architectures enables us to develop out product portfolio extremely flexibly and efficiently. From 2009, we will be producing the first Mercedes fuel-cell cars on a small scale. Small-scale production of Mercedes-Benz cars with battery-electric drive alone will then commence in 2010. This means we are extremely well equipped for the future.”
The concepts to be displayed in Detroit are just 166 inches in length—less than a foot longer than a Mini Cooper Clubman—the BlueZERO models have five “fully-fledged” seats, a payload of 990 pounds and cargo capacity of more than seventeen-and-a-half cubic feet. All three variants accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 11 seconds and have a top speed limited to 93 miles per hour to optimize range and energy efficiency.Mercedes claims that with a charging capacity of 15 kW, the lithium-ion batteries can be sufficiently charged in a half hour for the E-CELL or E-CELL PLUS to travel 30 miles. For maximum range in electric mode, a charging time of one or two hours is required for 60 and 120 miles respectively.
The E-CELL PLUS uses the same 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine at the Smart fortwo. At a constant 3500 rpm it produces 67 horsepower, and on a single tank of gas the E-CELL PLUS has a range of 360 miles.
The Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO concepts will have the requisite auto show glam but it’s not all without purpose. The front end is distinguished by the large Mercedes-Benz star on the radiator grille, but it has a front apron because cooling air intakes are not required. The 20-inch wheels have been designed for aerodynamics and the tires have low-rolling resistance construction.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the overall styling was inspired by the 2005 Bionic research vehicle, although we see a few leftover Bangle BMW flame design lines mixed in. However, the body design of the BlueZERO includes L-shaped taillights with “transparent lenses [that] produce a red light curtain which tapers smoothly towards the sides, creating a lightly diffused effect.” Okay. Mercedes notes also that the headlamps have a similar effect, though in white, of course, with LED C-shaped running lights.
Because the primary features of these concept vehicles are largely under the skin, Mercedes designers have made as much of that translucent as possible. The tailgate is made completely from transparent Lexan, allowing a view of the aluminum frame as well as a view of the vehicle’s interior, showing the advantages of the sandwich-floor construction.General Motors displayed a similar fuel-cell vehicle configuration in its 2002 AUTOnomy “skateboard” concept, and Toyota’s egg-shaped Previa minivan, with its horizontal under-the-floor four-cylinder engine, also put the entire drivetrain under the floor. The BlueZERO concepts, however, display not only how advanced Mercedes’ technology is, but also emphasize the certain future development of a variety of fuels and configurations for the consumer to choose depending on any particular needs and requirements.
If only they’d learn not to capitalize so much…
Illustrations: Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO F-CELL; courtesy Mercedes-Benz.
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