Mercedes going hybrid

DaimlerChrysler will unveil the first prototype of the diesel-electric hybrid Mercedes-Benz Citaro to the general public in the course of this year, the company announced at the occasion of the UITP world congress for public transportation in Helsinki.
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david999 - 5/21/2007 11:19:54 AM

+5 Boost

Going hybrid is a very smart business decision by Mercedes.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:46:55 PM

+1 Boost

It will be a prototype DIESEL-hybrid.

Alec - 5/21/2007 1:28:56 PM

+1 Boost

huh... I thought they had seperated Chrysler from Diamler.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:46:24 PM

-4 Boost

They did... this is probably a semi-old release.

BOO HYBRIDS! Mercedes needs to keep it Bluetec!

SupraNeverBack - 5/21/2007 2:09:55 PM

0 Boost

Diesels is to surrender to gas hybrids, even Daimler knows that. BTW, Toyota has been selling diesel hybrid trucks for several years. Plug-in hybrid is the future.

budfrogS4 - 5/21/2007 2:31:36 PM

+1 Boost

Supra, you really don't make much sense. You want a fun to drive car right? That's why you keep boosting the IS-F anyway. If we have plug in cars they'll be slow...not to mention there really aren't many good ways to recharge them. If you go roadtripping with one, it'll have a range of maybe 250 miles..and then you'll have to make an hour pit stop. It really is not the way to go.

Can't wait to see how they did on this new system. I've been proclaiming diesel hybrids for quite some time now. Let's see, 35 mpg hwy with the E320 Bluetec...don't see why 50-60 mpg is out of the question. Please don't compare those numbers to the Prius...faster, bigger, more luxurious, etc.

Anybody look into hydraulic drivetrains? Interesting concept that requires less than a 60hp engine to have the same performance of something like the Jetta. Imagine the possibilities...60hp engines could probably get into the hundreds of mpg with a diesel hybrid.

Will_ - 5/21/2007 4:37:13 PM

+1 Boost

UMm... In case someone failed to mention it, a diesel-hybrid has yet to be proven to be anymore cost effective than gasoline AND hybrid vehicles.

budfrogS4 - 5/21/2007 5:04:16 PM

+2 Boost

For me, that's not really the point. We really need to reduce consumption, which is what I think this combination would do best when paired with "standard" vehicle technology (ie. without totally changing the vehicle, see previous post above).

But ya, def wish it wasn't a bus.

EliteRanger - 5/23/2007 6:35:39 AM

+1 Boost

All companies will probably go hybrid eventually, Lexus fanboys who say Mercedes are cpying, please shut up. Over time, we all know Mercedes have designed and implemented almost everything for cars. And Lexus' special sale point - it's hybrid!!! will now be gone, so Mercdes will remain king.

ctsang - 5/23/2007 8:32:36 AM

+1 Boost

Nobody trusts the reliability of MB's electronics, forget about it's hybrid system.