Mercedes-Benz is holding the North American debut of a bold new powertrain at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 16-23, 2007 at the L.A. Convention Center. The new S400 BLUETEC HYBRID combines both clean diesel and hybrid technologies by using the latest BLUETEC diesel instead of the gasoline engine that usually helps power a hybrid.
Since hybrids use a conventional engine in concert with an electric motor, it’s not surprising that a state-of-the-art hybrid is making use of the world’s most fuel-efficient piston engine – the diesel. In its latest form, the exhaust emissions from the Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC diesel are as clean as a modern gasoline engine.
A Hybrid Concept With 40 Miles per Gallon AND V8-Like Power
Arriving after 2010, the S400 BLUETEC HYBRID with be available with a high-torque electric motor that works together with a V6 BLUETEC diesel engine to provide the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder. A total 265 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque is on hand – more pulling power than many conventional V8 engines – for zero to 60 mph acceleration of about 7.2 seconds, while the car is still capable of 40.5 miles per gallon (based on a European driving cycle) in highway driving. These figures are even more impressive when considering that the S-Class is a large luxury sedan.
The E320 BLUETEC is Here Now
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled a version of its E320 BLUETEC, a diesel sedan that is available to California customers on a special two-year/24,000-mile lease through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The E320 BLUETEC is lease-priced on par with its gasoline-powered sibling, the E350.
The special lease program is the first step in the company’s plans to offer consumers diesel alternatives in all 50 states. Late next year, the Mercedes-Benz M-, R, and GL-Class will be among the very few SUVs that can be sold in all 50 states. These vehicles will utilize AdBlue injection, a process that adds precisely measured quantities of urea into the exhaust stream that enhances long-term emissions performance sufficient to meet stringent BIN5 (50-state) standards.
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