If you can't afford the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid or the rumored four-cylinder S-Class but still want to go green, you might soon be able to drive a Benz employing technology from the BlueZero E-Cell Plus concept we saw at the last Detroit auto show.
The electric motor of the battery-powered car is paired with a 67-hp turbo three-cylinder gas engine that charges the battery when necessary. Driven carefully, the concept has a 373-mile range. About 62 of those miles, Mercedes says, can be driven using just electric power.
Important for everyday use, the lithium ion battery can travel those 62 miles after a charge lasting "somewhat more than an hour" with a charging capacity of 20 kW, Mercedes claims. For less powerful outlets, it will take about 6 hours to get a full charge.
The vehicle isn't especially slow: 0-62 mph is accomplished in less than 11 seconds as the BlueZero E-Cell Plus heads toward its 93 mph top speed. A maximum of 236 lb-ft of torque is available from 0 rpm. Like the BlueZero E-Cell and BlueZero F-Cell, this environmentally friendly Benz is built on one vehicle architecture and places all its extra powertrain technology in the underbody (the so-called sandwich-floor architecture), helping the BlueZero models hold at least 17.7 cu-ft of cargo. All three BlueZero models are 166.1 in. long.
This year, Mercedes is planning on making its first few fuel cell vehicles; next year the automaker expects to make a small batch of battery-electric vehicles.
Thanks to: Motor Trend