http://news.theage.com.au/daimler-plans-hybrid-mercedesbenz/20080302-1w8d.html

Those lithium-ion batteries have been giving Toyota fits trying to make them work. We also know about all the battery recalls and fires in laptops due to lithium-ion batteries.

I sure hope Mercedes has this sorted out before they bring product to market.

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Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

uhg, hybrids are bad ideas. well not for car manufactures cuz stupid "green" people buy them. thinking hey ill help the enviorment, BEEEEP wrong ur not really helping it. im an 110% against the idea of it. i hate the toyota prius. ugly as heck not even that electric, electric cars are diff, but hybrid, uhg.

I could never imagine owning a 2 mode hybrid, keeping 2 different powerplants operational is not practical.

A mild hybrid, yes. The car shuts off at idle and coasting, thus only needing a stronger starter and battery. This appears to be what they're doing for the c300 bluetec hybrid in a few years. It may help the engine last longer, because excessive idling is damaging to diesel motors. I can't wait to get my hands on one. I'll take european delivery in 2010-11; I'm already saving for it.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

WW,

The only reason I know the problems with LI batteries can be solved,is
the LI battery(s) set my 8Yr old Motorola Startac came with.
"Assembled in China". (Now there's a phrase to scare little children with!)
I do turn the telephone off and leave it in the car when fueling.

daveuz,

Please see attachment.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I see a bright future for hybrids.

I predicted here a couple of years ago that hybrids would proliferate because they are an excellent idea. Some scoffed but it appears to be coming true.

In all reality they are simply a car with all the basic mechanical things a normal car has but the proportions are changed (kindof like Dolly Parton)....a much larger starter/ combined generator, much larger battery, and smaller gas engine and smaller mechanical brakes.

The software to control all the hybrid stuff cannot be a really hard technical problem to solve.

That leaves the battery issue, and although the hybrids have been around at least ten years or so so far I have yet to hear of problems with them.

It would be nice to never have to change brakes. The better fuel economy shouldn't be bad.

I have always liked the looks of the Honda Insight and the prius is starting to look completely normal to me now and in some colors I note it looks a lot better than others. I like the darker colors.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I think that is more a problem for lithium-polymer.

http://www.mbusa.com/campaigns/alternative-fuels/index.do

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

They are just improving the technology to prepare for plug-in hybrids. They will be the true MPG champions, at least for city driving. On highways, with hills and 70+ mph, there won't be much improvement.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Behind every "Plug-In" motive device is a great big smoke,carbon,pollutant
spewing Coal (can you say SULFER)fired electric generation plant.

Rather breath Diesel fumes pushed through a Plasma Converter!