Mercedes Benz provides full details for BlueZERO concept family
December 31st, 1969
Though most of the world associates green with environmentally-friendly technologies, Mercedes Benz and a few others use the color blue to denote their ecologically advanced vehicles and drivetrains. The latest development in the blue-themed line of Mercedes offerings is a trio of BlueZERO electric vehicle concepts being presented at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
The concepts are called the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Cell Plus, all of which offer slightly different takes on the electric vehicle concept but feature the same exterior design and overall 13.85ft (4.22m) length.
The E-Cell uses a pure-ev design, with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors doing all of the work. The E-Cell Plus uses lithium-ion batteries and electric motors to drive the wheels, but also features a petrol-powered engine to charge the batteries for greater range between charges. Both the E-Cell and E-Cell Plus can store enough energy for a range of 30 miles within 30 minutes. Finally, the F-Cell uses hydrogen fuel cells to power the electric motors.
Though the BlueZERO name might indicate to the casual observer that the trio is designed as a range of zero-emissions products, only the E-Cell and F-Cell will have zero tailpipe emissions - the E-Cell Plus, like any other plug-in hybrid, will emit standard exhaust when the charging engine is in operation, though at a very low rate of 32g/km CO2. To be fair, both the F-Cell and E-Cell will also involve carbon emissions in the creation of electricity or hydrogen used to power them.
The E-Cell claims a 120mi (200km) range on a one-hour charge or 240mi (400km) on a two-hour charge, while the E-Cell Plus is reportedly good for a range of 370mi (600km) on a tank of fuel and a charge, or 60mi (100km) in electric-only mode, translating to a NEDC fuel consumption of 62 mpg (US 51mpg/4.6L/100km). The E-Cell Plus gets its gasoline-powered miles courtesy of the 67hp (50kW) three-cylinder turbo engine found in the Smart ForTwo. The F-Cell's hydrogen tank holds enough of the fuel for a range of 248mi (400km) from the car's 120hp (90kW) electric motor.
Many steps have been taken to optimize the cars' aerodynamics and overall efficiency, including wheels that minimize wind resistance and tires that reduce rolling resistance. A closed front fascia also minimizes drag, much like that of Chevrolet's Volt plug-in hybrid.
Other high-tech features include the lights at either end of the car. Combining cutting edge lens and LED bulb technologies, the car's lights feature a bright center with slightly diffused edges. Up front, daytime running lights are shaped into a 'C', while at the rear, the taillights form an 'L' shape. Extensive use of Lexan also offers a chance to make many surfaces translucent, such as the rear tailgate, which gives a clear view into the vehicle's interior.
Though all three cars will share the same basic design, a range of three 'ALU-BEAM' metallic colors has been chosen to highlight their differences. The E-Cell, pictured, gets a 'fresh lime green' variant, while the F-Cell gets a mint green exterior and the E-Cell Plus will be colored bright orange.
The design of the E-Cell concept (pictured) is thought to preview the features of the next A-Class and B-Class, and also draws on the design of the original 2005 Bionic car concept.Mercedes BlueZero ConceptsMercedes Benz BlueZERO concept
Though most of the world associates green with environmentally-friendly technologies, Mercedes Benz and a few others use the color blue to denote their ecologically advanced vehicles and drivetrains. The latest development in the blue-themed line of Mercedes offerings is a trio of BlueZERO electric vehicle concepts being presented at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
The concepts are called the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Cell Plus, all of which offer slightly different takes on the electric vehicle concept but feature the same exterior design and overall 13.85ft (4.22m) length.
The E-Cell uses a pure-ev design, with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors doing all of the work. The E-Cell Plus uses lithium-ion batteries and electric motors to drive the wheels, but also features a petrol-powered engine to charge the batteries for greater range between charges. Both the E-Cell and E-Cell Plus can store enough energy for a range of 30 miles within 30 minutes. Finally, the F-Cell uses hydrogen fuel cells to power the electric motors.
Though the BlueZERO name might indicate to the casual observer that the trio is designed as a range of zero-emissions products, only the E-Cell and F-Cell will have zero tailpipe emissions - the E-Cell Plus, like any other plug-in hybrid, will emit standard exhaust when the charging engine is in operation, though at a very low rate of 32g/km CO2. To be fair, both the F-Cell and E-Cell will also involve carbon emissions in the creation of electricity or hydrogen used to power them.
The E-Cell claims a 120mi (200km) range on a one-hour charge or 240mi (400km) on a two-hour charge, while the E-Cell Plus is reportedly good for a range of 370mi (600km) on a tank of fuel and a charge, or 60mi (100km) in electric-only mode, translating to a NEDC fuel consumption of 62 mpg (US 51mpg/4.6L/100km). The E-Cell Plus gets its gasoline-powered miles courtesy of the 67hp (50kW) three-cylinder turbo engine found in the Smart ForTwo. The F-Cell's hydrogen tank holds enough of the fuel for a range of 248mi (400km) from the car's 120hp (90kW) electric motor.
Many steps have been taken to optimize the cars' aerodynamics and overall efficiency, including wheels that minimize wind resistance and tires that reduce rolling resistance. A closed front fascia also minimizes drag, much like that of Chevrolet's Volt plug-in hybrid.
Other high-tech features include the lights at either end of the car. Combining cutting edge lens and LED bulb technologies, the car's lights feature a bright center with slightly diffused edges. Up front, daytime running lights are shaped into a 'C', while at the rear, the taillights form an 'L' shape. Extensive use of Lexan also offers a chance to make many surfaces translucent, such as the rear tailgate, which gives a clear view into the vehicle's interior.
Though all three cars will share the same basic design, a range of three 'ALU-BEAM' metallic colors has been chosen to highlight their differences. The E-Cell, pictured, gets a 'fresh lime green' variant, while the F-Cell gets a mint green exterior and the E-Cell Plus will be colored bright orange.
The design of the E-Cell concept (pictured) is thought to preview the features of the next A-Class and B-Class, and also draws on the design of the original 2005 Bionic car concept.
Mercedes Benz provides full details for BlueZERO concept family
January 11th, 2009
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January 11th, 2009
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January 11th, 2009
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The concepts are called the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Cell Plus, all of which offer slightly different takes on the electric vehicle concept but feature the same exterior design and overall 13.85ft (4.22m) length.
The E-Cell uses a pure-ev design, with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors doing all of the work. The E-Cell Plus uses lithium-ion batteries and electric motors to drive the wheels, but also features a petrol-powered engine to charge the batteries for greater range between charges. Both the E-Cell and E-Cell Plus can store enough energy for a range of 30 miles within 30 minutes. Finally, the F-Cell uses hydrogen fuel cells to power the electric motors.
Though the BlueZERO name might indicate to the casual observer that the trio is designed as a range of zero-emissions products, only the E-Cell and F-Cell will have zero tailpipe emissions - the E-Cell Plus, like any other plug-in hybrid, will emit standard exhaust when the charging engine is in operation, though at a very low rate of 32g/km CO2. To be fair, both the F-Cell and E-Cell will also involve carbon emissions in the creation of electricity or hydrogen used to power them.
The E-Cell claims a 120mi (200km) range on a one-hour charge or 240mi (400km) on a two-hour charge, while the E-Cell Plus is reportedly good for a range of 370mi (600km) on a tank of fuel and a charge, or 60mi (100km) in electric-only mode, translating to a NEDC fuel consumption of 62 mpg (US 51mpg/4.6L/100km). The E-Cell Plus gets its gasoline-powered miles courtesy of the 67hp (50kW) three-cylinder turbo engine found in the Smart ForTwo. The F-Cell's hydrogen tank holds enough of the fuel for a range of 248mi (400km) from the car's 120hp (90kW) electric motor.
Many steps have been taken to optimize the cars' aerodynamics and overall efficiency, including wheels that minimize wind resistance and tires that reduce rolling resistance. A closed front fascia also minimizes drag, much like that of Chevrolet's Volt plug-in hybrid.
Other high-tech features include the lights at either end of the car. Combining cutting edge lens and LED bulb technologies, the car's lights feature a bright center with slightly diffused edges. Up front, daytime running lights are shaped into a 'C', while at the rear, the taillights form an 'L' shape. Extensive use of Lexan also offers a chance to make many surfaces translucent, such as the rear tailgate, which gives a clear view into the vehicle's interior.
Though all three cars will share the same basic design, a range of three 'ALU-BEAM' metallic colors has been chosen to highlight their differences. The E-Cell, pictured, gets a 'fresh lime green' variant, while the F-Cell gets a mint green exterior and the E-Cell Plus will be colored bright orange.
The design of the E-Cell concept (pictured) is thought to preview the features of the next A-Class and B-Class, and also draws on the design of the original 2005 Bionic car concept.
Mercedes BlueZero Concepts
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Comments (9 total)
Meet the top commenters on the LeaderboardDoes this look like a Ford Verve concept anyone?
So Mercedes has finally been able to come up with something even UGLIER than the R class! I think environmentally friendly technology is great, but why can't it look good? Though the Fisker Karma is beautiful, providing it ever sees production.
justin.. i hear you.. thats what i thought at first.. but mike has it right there.. its a small R class with BMW flames.
is it just me or did anyone else say "WTF" when reading this? where the hell did merc come out with a production ready fuel cell or electric car technology? im sure they've been working on it.. but beating GM to the punch on the mass market? somethings fishy here.
cant wait to see how "production ready" these concepts are in a month at NAIAS.
I kinka like the R-class can't deny that, my uncle owns a R350 in black and its a pretty cool car. Ironic thing is that it has a sport mode that creates a overly stiff ride(no pun intended)
how is a stiff ride in sport mode "ironic"? that's the point.
no, the R-class with a sport mode that actually makes the ride stiff. R-class=what moms drive
justin.. it is merc after all.. if they call it sport mode.. i am inclined to believe them. and an R350 isnt exactly a fat pig.. well......
i know its a mini-van and all, but they still made an AMG63 version of it.. so regardless of how we feel about it, at least merc likes it....
i looks like detroit is actually shaping up to be a pretty big event this year!
^Well idk what you mean by big event, a lot of car makers have dropped out of the auto show this year, you cant deny that part. I think Nissan and Infiniti dropped out,(not sure). I was hopin to take a trip up there and take a look at the 370z.
justin.. next to nissan/infinity.. and a couple premium marques.. thats it.
what i mean by a big event at NAIAS is that there are a lot of product debuts which is odd cause even in years past, LA gets the majority of the reveals so that every city in the autoshow schedule gets to see them.
as far as the 370z is concerned.. all i see in it is a facelift with a bored out engine :S
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