Mercedes-Benz at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 2005: Focus on environmentally friendly drive concepts
With the new F 600 HYGENIUS research vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is underlining its commitment to the development of automobiles with emission-free fuel cell power units at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show. As a further concept car the company is presenting the S 320 BLUETEC HYBRID, which features an intelligent combination of clean diesel technology and a particularly compact hybrid system. Other Mercedes-Benz highlights at the show include the new S-Class, which is celebrating its Japanese premiere in Tokyo, and the Sports Tourers in the B and R-Class which will be launched in Japan in spring 2006. During the press conference, Mercedes Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche also announced that Mercedes-Benz will be the first automobile manufacturer to offer new diesel cars in Japan from 2006.
"Our aim is also to convince Japanese drivers of the advantages offered by our up-to-date diesel technology", Zetsche stated. Next year Mercedes-Benz will initially offer E-Class Saloon and Estate models equipped with the latest 320 CDI V6 diesel engine, which is able to meet the extremely stringent Japanese exhaust emission regulations thanks to an oxidising catalytic converter and a particulate filter as standard. With these powerful, economical and clean latest-generation diesel units, the brand is already achieving an average market share of more than 50 percent in Europe. This innovative V6 diesel engine will also be available for the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class, generating an output of 173 kW/235 hp and a maximum torque of 540 Nm.
Zetsche also opened up new perspectives for diesel technology with reference to the S 320 BLUETEC HYBRID. A combination of the latest Mercedes emission control technology using Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with a mild-hybrid system makes this concept car one of the world’s cleanest and most economical luxury saloons. Thanks to the boost effect of this technology, this model combines a lower fuel consumption (7.7 litres per 100 kilometres) and low exhaust emissions with an even more dynamic performance. Zetsche: "In terms of drive systems we are following a clear strategy which has three areas of emphasis: in parallel with further improvements to our petrol and diesel engines, we are considering our own mild-hybrid systems such as the BLUETEC HYBRID. In addition, we are working on full-hybrid systems together with our partners General Motors and BMW. We regard hybrid systems as an important step on the road towards emission-free automotive drive systems based on the fuel cell."
Mercedes-Benz F 600 HYGENIUS with the latest fuel cell technology
A new generation of the fuel cell which has been significantly improved in terms of packaging and performance was presented in Tokyo by Dr. Thomas Weber, the DaimlerChrysler Executive Board member responsible for Research, Technology and Development at Mercedes-Benz. "Our new fuel cell is 40 percent more compact than previous systems, but at the same time much more efficient and powerful", Weber emphasised. Although it generates around 30 percent more power with 85 kW/115 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, the system consumes 16 percent less energy – in part thanks to the ability of the electric motor to recover drive energy when braking and feed it back to the lithium-ion battery by the process known as recuperation. The fuel consumption of the F 600 HYGENIUS amounts to the energy equivalent of 2.9 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres.
"Our new fuel cell is also the equal of conventional drive systems in terms of acceleration, maximum speed and operating range", Weber added.
In addition the F 600 features a whole range of particularly user and family-friendly solutions: its fuel cell not only supplies clean motive power, but can also be used as a mobile power-generating plant if required. Other advantages include innovative safety systems and a particularly spacious, extremely variable interior.