Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV Demo

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Sep 10, 2009.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    "Mercedes-Benz, caught like other automakers in a regulatory squeeze to post higher fuel efficiency, may make the next generation of its flagship S-Class sedans all hybrids, a company official said Monday. It would be the first time an entire conventional model line has been converted to an alternative powertrain.

    "We're seriously exploring the possibility of equipping the next generation S-Class models entirely with hybrid drivelines," said spokesman Dan Barile. The next generation of the S-Class is due in 2014.
    Mercedes makes a big move; entire S-Class could be hybrids - USATODAY.com

    Leaked: Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 plug-in hybrid:
    With the Frankfurt Motor Show now just days away...
    http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-benz-vision-s-500-plug-in-hybrid.html

    .
     
    #1 Rybold, Sep 10, 2009
  2. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    Could this actually harm Prius production? Where is Mercedes going to get all of the batteries it will need? What if Mercedes goes to the battery manufacturers and raw material suppliers and says "Will will pay you a $1000 pure profit markup above the prices that Toyota is paying you." Mercedes will then just increase the price of the S-class from $90K to $91K. People buying the S-class will barely notice the difference. (let's assume they offer both LiIon and NiMH)

    How is Mercedes going to do this? Will it harm non-luxury vehicle production? What are your thoughts?
     
    #2 Rybold, Sep 10, 2009
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    I'm not holding my breath. There is a big gap between an announcement and 'metal' and they haven't really done any serious hybrid work. "Green wash" comes to mind.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Sep 10, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    MB's supplier will probably be someone European to minimise shipping costs so I think Toyota is ok. More importantly, it's gonna have more hybrid options than diesel options. That's gonna create more tension btwn hybrid and diesel fans.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Sep 10, 2009
  5. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    Wouldn't a hybrid-diesel suffice?
     
    #5 Rybold, Sep 11, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    Probably easier to reverse engineer a Prius and build from that than to start a new project and deal with all the issues that come up (which would cost more money)
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Sep 12, 2009
  7. donee

    donee New Member

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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    Hi All,

    This makes allot of sense actually. An acquatance of mine recently bought an LS whaterver it was, non-hybrid. He wanted to get a hybrid, but the LS Hybrid is specifically priced and sized to be a full-up limosine. Well outside the executive class car. His previous car was a S-500.

    So if MB makes the whole S class, executive to limo, hybrids, they will have an edge on Lexus in the executive class cars.
     
    #7 donee, Sep 13, 2009
  8. Vincent

    Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow

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    MB Really Not Serious About Green Cars for USA

    Mercedes has a hugh credibility gap when it comes to announcing versus delivering fuel efficient cars for the US.

    Despite all the hype about 4 cylinder BluEfficiency diesels and high MPG 4 cylinder gasoline engines for Europe, Mercedes hasn't sold a single 4 cylinder engine vehicle in the US for over 2 years.

    70% of European MB production is 4 cylinder vehicles, yet they continue to dump all the gas guzzling V-6's and V-8's in the US, just like Ford, GM II and Chrysler II did.

    Does anybody at MBUSA read the papers?
     
    #8 Vincent, Sep 13, 2009
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: MB Really Not Serious About Green Cars for USA

    Probably so that we're funding the 4 cylinder production (which may have a smaller profit margin than the larger engined vehicles, esp. the AMG models)
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Sep 13, 2009
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  10. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    Vincent, as fuel-efficiency and "going green" becomes more and more prominent in the United States, and as Lexus steps up the pressure by making more and more hybrids and as CAFE standards must be met, Mercedes and BMW will have no other choice than to adapt.

    [​IMG]

    Mercedes plugs-in the S-Class hybrid | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

    It would be awesome if they offer this exact paint-job/style for consumers. :)
     
    #10 Rybold, Sep 14, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Mercedes: To Meet CAFE Standards, Entire Lineup Of Next S-class Might Be Hybrid. Plus S500 PHEV

    If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Toyota and Honda joined the diesel party in Europe. Time for BMW and MB to join the hybrid party in the U.S.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Sep 14, 2009
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