Detroit Debut: Mercedes BlueZero

Mercedes is on the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 11-25 2009) the study "Concept BlueZero" before. A compact with sharp hook nose, flowing flanks and a clear signal - that is the next B-Class.

By Margret Hucko Mercedes makes the B-Class E-Class. E as electric. Yes, in times of crisis car is there so what looks like a new drive forward. Progress that electrifies. Progress of green thinking. But also plenty of late. Mercedes is on the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 11-25 2009) the study "Concept BlueZero" before. A compact with sharp hook nose, flowing flanks and a clear signal - that is the next B-Class. A version of this model is also available with electric drive, confirmed development executive Thomas Weber. So na! The electric motor comes - albeit slowly. From 2009 rolls initially an expensive series of small fuel cell cars on the roads, a year later, the pure battery-operated follow. As the cars are expensive, Weber makes us only once. But cheap is certainly not the pleasure.

Too late to benefit from a Mercedes model, which in 1997 all facilities for emissions-free future in itself contributed. Than in 1997, the A-Class came onto the market, the engineers had already provided an electric actuator in the cavity under the floor loose a battery pack can hold. This sandwich principle in the "Concept Blue Zero" finally become apparent. Three proposals Mercedes shows in Detroit. All together the electric motor under the hood short, to come depending on the version of a fuel cell or three-cylinder Smart as a generator to extend the reach. In marketing the German hot models BlueZero E-Cell, F-Cell and Cell E-Plus. Sounds like a mobile phone contracts - we can in series but forgotten. The electric motor provides a maximum of 100 kW (continuous power: 70 kW) and 320 Newton meters torque. For non Technician: The e-engine creates Bums like a diesel. In less than eleven seconds, the electric vans to accelerate Speed allowance 100, the maximum speed is limited to 150 km / h to save energy.

Apart from energy savings to nothing of Fronttriebler
Five seats, 500 liters of trunk - lack of space in the new B-Class not.
Five seats, 500 liters of trunk - lack of space in the new B-Class not.
Oje, now requires the green box even surrender ... Saving, who can still hear? Please delete immediately! Indeed, except for energy saving of Fronttriebler nothing. Not to space (five seats, 500 liters of trunk), not security. To the lithium-ion battery to protect against heat, the high-chilled cells. E-Cell, the pure electric car concept, the battery provides a range of 200 kilometers. Once filling is approximately 2.70 euros for a capacity of 15.3 kilowatt hours (kWh). Three to four hours battery depends on the empty net. Time the driver at the hairdresser or in the office abbummeln needs. What would be clear: The e-era tickles not only the engineers, but also calls for our talent for organization.

Promises a greater range of additional drive on board. Kramt for the Mercedes F-Cell, the fuel cell out back, now modernized cold start up to minus 25 degrees allowed. Parking only works when the e-aggregate, when accelerating operate fuel cell and battery in the team - like today with hybrid gasoline engine. If the driver over the brake pedal, feeds the electric motor as a generator to the battery. The Detroit study F-Cell comes with a tankful constructed over 400 kilometers, but its main drawback remains: hydrogen filling stations are missing. Therefore cited e-Cell Plus the good old past. The battery vehicle Supplements the powerful 68 HP turbo petrol from the Smart, in the spare wheel sits Dump. During the journey he invites the battery until after 600 kilometers, the pilot triggering a gas station. The average consumption is 4.5 liters of super lie. Beautiful views - we can only buy these cars yet. The current series begins in less than four years.

Conclusion of Auto Bild editor-Margret Hucko
Good ideas pay off. The likes may also be yesterday. The best example of the sandwich floor. The Mercedes now uses for the mobility of tomorrow. Because this construction is particularly suitable for electric propulsion. That perseverance has paid off - for a B-Class with a future.
On Saturday, the 13th December to autobild.de: The current B-Class in the 100,000-kilometer endurance test!