S 400 BlueHYBRID FAIL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-18-2008, 06:20 AM

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Sep08/17_001395_The_Mercedes-Benz_S_400_BlueHYBRID_In_Depth_Details_And_Specifications.html

Quote:

As with any hybrid, the first question that must be addressed is precisely how efficient the S 400 BlueHYBRID really is. The answer, according to NEDC fuel consumption ratings, is 7.9-liters per 100 kilometers (about 30 mpg) – a figure that makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine on the planet. To achieve such impressive figures, Mercedes engineers began with a model you're already familiar with – the S 350 – and subsequently re-engineered its 3.5-Liter V6 petrol engine; added an additional magneto-electric motor; reconfigured the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the hybrid module; and threw in a high-voltage lithium ion battery, a transformer and new operating and control electronics for good measure.

In the end, the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID's 3.5-liter petrol engine develops an output of 205 kW/279 hp and its electric motor generates 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 Nm, both of which give the model a combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton meters. As a result, the S 400 BlueHYBRID can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, all while bettering fuel consumption of the conventional S 350 by up to 2.2-liters per 100 kilometers (about 7 mpg).

Compare to an S 320 CDI
http://cars.uk.msn.com/Research/article.aspx?cp-documentid=9541121

Quote:

If you tread carefully you will get 33.6mpg on the combined run and as much as 43.5mpg on a cruise.

283 lb/ft vs 398 lb/ft of torque
30mpg vs 27.8/36.2 US MPG
Available someday vs available for several years (outside the USA)
FAIL vs WIN.

Another perfect hypebrid example.

dukegrad98 · #2 09-18-2008, 09:56 AM

If only we could get the S320CDI here in the States, huh? I have no interest in any hybrid at this point. A true plug-in electric, however, could be interesting for my comparatively short commute.

Cheers, John

Tymbrymi · #3 09-18-2008, 10:42 AM

For an apples to apples comparison it DID improve fuel economy by 7mpg. Remember that it is a gasser. It still isn't something I'd buy, but for those diesel haters out there it is a good option.

Also, it is a "mild hybrid" there is only a dinky electric motor in there, and is really only used to start/stop the engine. Look up BAS systems... only instead of a belt they used the torque converter. "Full hybrids" are able to propel themselves soley on electric power, and offer significantly better fuel economy results. These types of hybrids are very very rare on the market, due to the battery limitations. Withh NiMH you can maybe go a mile all electric, but with Lithium Ion you can go over a dozen miles (we're not talking small light aerodynamics like the Volt or Tesla here...).

Surprisingly GM is leading the full hybrid market. Research their two-mode hybrids. Fantastic idea, doesn't take up much room or additional cost, and is basically waiting on battery tech. GM has partnered with Mercedes, BMW and some others with the two-mode hybrid design so expect more of them to come out.