Toyota in talks with Daimler to supply hybrid parts - reuters, wall st journal

This is another coffin nail for the "two-mode" hybrid. Four years ago, GM, Daimler, Chyrsler, and BMW assigned '1,000 engineers' to design the two-mode hybrid transmission that has shown up in a smattering of over-priced, under performing vehicles. Two years ago, three of us had the rare opportunity to test a Saturn two-mode, 5-seat, SUV before GM canceled the last affordable hybrid that briefly, hosted the "two-mode" transmission. The "two-mode" is another Lutz loser fading into history. Good riddance.

Before GM and the other ossified car makers can get better, they have to stop digging at the bottom of the hole. They and their partners have to disabuse themselves of their 'group think' about hybrids and chauvanistic opinions of hybrid owners. It looks like Daimler appears to have begun an awakening.

Bob Wilson

 

Makes sense as Toyota is the expert here. Would love to see an AMG engine in a Lexus

 

MB had already announced that the two mode was too expensive and had killed it for future vehicles. BMW and MB seem to have sucessfully created a hybrid drivetrain for higher powered vehicles. The S400 hybrid is by far the most successful of the hybrid flagships. This drivetrain doesn't appear to be able to get the highest mpg on low hp drive trains. It is here that MB and Mazda have turned to Toyota. If Toyota sells parts at a reasonable cost is will be cheaper for these companies to buy psd parts than to pay licensing and manufacture the parts themselves. If Toyota does not play ball, it may face competition from ford, so its in Toyota's best in interest to do these deals even if it does cannibalize some prius sales. Since Toyota's volume is so much higher their costs are likely lower than ford's.

 

until there is a technologocal breakthrough, the world automotive will be at the mercy of toyota who is at the mercy of an american/russian engineer and the u.s. patent system/courts.

 

yes that was fun in the snow hoping not to crash a pre production expensif!! model
i think the car did wel only not for the v6... to big not economical ICE not needed horse power but a nice small 2 liter 4cyl or so would be nice.
but its not going to happen.

the S400H is just a electric assist like the honda's are.
not special for big and highend class car like the S400.. so shame on MB

 

What in the world are you talking about. The S400 greatly outsells its full hybrid LS600 competition, and although it accelerates slower, has been reviewed to handle better, is less expensive, and has greater combined and real world gas mileage.

In the next set down the Infiniti hybrid M, along with the MB/BMW hybrid R&D activehybrid 5 and E class all at least on paper will give the Toyota designed lexus gs hybrid a run for the money. The Sonota Hybrid using a similar system should also get better mileage than the camry and again should be priced lower.

Its on the lower horsepower models that mazda and MB need toyota's psd technology.

 

what i am talking about?
are you talking about the S400 of the S400h?
anyway MB is cheaper and its the MB brand comming in play there.

LS600h full hybrid - S400 Electric assist ( like honda IMA )
s400 it accelerates slower because of that
has been reviewed to handle better - thats objectif
is less expensive - IMA
and has greater combined and real world gas mileage ( its a s400 nog a S600 where you can compare te ls600h with )
the sonata got a similair system like tehe HSD
thats what i have seen on a motor show model of the sonata ( prototype )

 

Chrysler group is still dealing with contracts to supply overpriced & inferior parts and products.

This would be a BIG mistake!