A very tangible idea of what the future holds in store for large premium saloons is given by the F 700 research vehicle. This features an innovative DIESOTTO engine that combines the best elements of both diesel and petrol engines. A turbocharger enables the 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit to deliver a rated output of 238 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm; but when coupled with a 20 hp hybrid module the DIESOTTO hybrid drive develops a combined maximum output of 258 hp – yet the F 700 achieves 53.3 mpg.

The CO₂ emissions of the F 700 – just 127 g/km – equal those of today’s diesel-powered compact models, making the F 700 a luxury model with the lowest petrol consumption of any saloon in the history of the car,”

Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC car from the end of 2007 onwards in Europe

First off the starting blocks on the Mercedes-Benz Road to the Future is the new E 300 BLUETEC. Following the successful launch in the United States of the world’s first BLUETEC passenger car – the E 320 BLUETEC, which was voted “World Green Car of the Year 2007” in the States.

Already “on the road”: smart fortwo ed with local zero-emission electric drive

The first 100 smart fortwo ed with “electric drive” are currently being tested in a large-scale pilot scheme in London. At the heart of the local zero-emission drive unit is a 41 hp permanent magnet (PM) electric engine, which delivers a maximum torque of 140 Nm right from the moment the engine starts up. The smart fortwo ed therefore offers one of the cleanest ways of nipping around in city traffic, where it offers a range of up to 71 miles.

smart fortwo with fuel-efficient petrol micro hybrid from 2007

From October 2007, the first of three different hybrid solutions exhibited by the Mercedes Car Group at the IAA in Frankfurt will be present in the smart mhd  – or “micro hybrid drive”. With this technology, the fuel consumption of this economical three-cylinder petrol engine, which still develops an output of 71 hp and a maximum torque of 92 Nm, drops from 60.1 mpg to 65.7 mpg, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 103 g/km.

smart fortwo cdi new world CO2 champion with 78 g/km

With a fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg and a correspondingly low CO₂ emissions level of 88 g/km, the smart cdi is currently the most economical and environment-friendly car in the world among series-production vehicles. At the IAA smart shows a further developed, cutting-edge diesel version, the smart cdi mhd. Thanks to its start-stop technology, with its 97.4 mpg, and 78 g/km, the smart fortwo cdi mhd sets the new world-wide benchmark.

E 300 BLUETEC: cleanest diesel in the world to launch in Europe in December

This year will also see the launch on the European market by Mercedes-Benz of the cleanest and most economical EU5-compliant diesel in the executive category, in the shape of the E 300 BLUETEC. The most successful vehicle in its class will thus also be available in Europe with what is currently the world’s cleanest diesel technology. A combination of engine modifications, oxidation catalytic converter and particulate filter with BLUETEC technology – in this case with a high-durability NOx storage catalytic converter and a special SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter – delivers exemplary values for all constituents of emissions.   The fuel consumption of the E 300 BLUETEC in accordance with NEDC is 38.7 mpg

E 350 CGI with second-generation petrol direct injection

In parallel with the E 300 BLUETEC, Mercedes-Benz is extending its model range to include the sophisticated petrol direct-injection engine with spray-guided combustion process. The V6 petrol engine that has been available since spring 2006 in the CLS 350 CGI, the first one of its kind in the world to use this innovative combustion system and piezo injection, will come onto the market in the numerically-important E-Class as well from December as the E 350 CGI, in both saloon and estate guises.

From December 2007: new C 220 CDI Estate with fuel consumption of just 46.3 mpg with 170 hp

That more power can also mean lower consumption is shown in exemplary fashion by the new C 220 CDI Estate. Its four-cylinder diesel engine has been further refined to produce 18 per cent, or 60 Nm, more torque. As a result the engine revs, and thus also consumption under real-life conditions, could be reduced. With the six-speed manual transmission that is fitted as standard on this model, the C 220 CDI Estate records 46.3 mpg and yet with performance improvements of 13 per cent from 150 hp to 170  hp. The excellent aerodynamics, coupled with the fact that the weight has remained virtually the same as that of the smaller predecessor model, are additional factors contributing to the optimising of fuel consumption. The C 220 CDI Estate accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 139 mph.

From 2008: C 200 CDI achieves 55.4 mpg 

In April 2008 Mercedes-Benz will be bringing a further C-Class model with exceptionally favourable fuel consumption onto the market: the C 200 CDI, which according to NEDC ratings delivers 55.4 mpg, thus achieving CO₂ emissions of 135 g/km, a very low figure for this level of vehicle and performance class. A factor in this achievement is an efficiency package consisting of a lowering of the vehicle body by 15 mm, aerodynamic details, tyres with a particularly low rolling resistance and a further-optimised four-cylinder diesel engine that offers a top performance of 136 hp and a maximum torque of 270 Nm. 

A 160 CDI with CO₂ emissions of just 119 g/km

A low fuel consumption of just 62.8 mpg – corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 119 g/km – is a key feature of the A 160 CDI, due to be launched in June 2008. The reduction in fuel consumption can be attributed to intelligent optimisation in all relevant vehicle components.  
 
B 170 NGT with clean natural-gas drive from summer 2008

At the IAA International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is exhibiting its first compact model with natural-gas drive: the B 170 NGT. This 116 hp-powered version of the B-Class will be the company’s second such vehicle, and will join the E 200 NGT in June 2008. It offers the same basic advantages as the larger saloon: CO₂ emissions that are some 20 per cent lower than those of a comparable petrol model, at a consumption of 4.9 kg of natural gas per 100 km – corresponding to 38.2 mpg – the B 170 NGT produces CO₂ emissions of just 135 g/km. Running costs are lower than those of a comparable petrol-engine vehicle by about one half.
  
2008: launch for R 320 BLUETEC and two further BLUETEC SUVs

The experience that Mercedes-Benz has gained in the US with the E 320 BLUETEC has been extremely positive, and the company is resolved to move forward with its BLUETEC initiative. Three BLUETEC SUVs bearing the three-pointed star – all of them with V6 engines – will appear already in 2008. The R 320 BLUETEC on display at the IAA, plus the ML and GL 320 BLUETEC.

With 211 hp, the V6 engine in the R 320 BLUETEC develops a maximum torque of 540 Nm. The rear-wheel drive version, the comfortable touring SUV thus achieves 36.2 mpg. With an average fuel consumption of 34.5 mpg, the model with permanent all-wheel drive system is similarly economical. The Mercedes-Benz V6 compression-ignition engines have already, in the CDI version, proved themselves the ideal solution for larger automobiles, especially for large SUVs. In Europe, the diesel share of R, M, und GL-Class is already well over 80 per cent.

2009: C 250 BLUETEC, V6 performance 57.7 mpg and EU6 potential

With the C 250 BLUETEC Mercedes-Benz launches its new generation of
4-cylinder engines in 2009. The strong, clean and extremely economical 2.2 litre drive delivers 204 hp and produces a maximum torque of 480 Nm –values which until recently could only be achieved by 6-cylinder diesel powerplants with a displacement of at least 3 litres. These values enable the
C 250 BLUETEC to achieve a remarkable driving performance. It accelerates in just 7.9 seconds from zero to 62 mph, reaching a top speed of 152 mph. At the same time, fuel consumption figures are exceptionally low for its class. Fuel consumption is just 57.7 mpg and CO₂  emissions only 130 g/km.

2009: ML 450 HYBRID – the most economical hybrid SUV in its class

Mercedes-Benz is also presenting a further CO₂ world champion in its class at the IAA: the ML 450 HYBRID, which will come onto the market in 2009 as the world’s most economical SUV petrol hybrid in its class. Its innovative two-mode hybrid system means it can be driven with just the electric engine; and the vehicle meets the highest expectations in terms of comfort. The V6 petrol engine produces 279 hp and 338 Nm of torque, while the two-mode hybrid module with two electric motors, develops 61 hp. The end result is a combined system output of 321 hp and a combined maximum torque of 480 Nm – supreme performance that comes with a fuel consumption of just 36.7 mpg. The ML 450 Hybrid thus achieves CO₂ emissions that are exemplary for this class of vehicle of just 185 g/km.

In the ML 450 HYBRID two compact electric engines are used, developing a total power output of 163 hp. They take up a lot less space in the vehicle than comparable systems, thus guaranteeing that this is an ideal package.

2009: S 400 HYBRID sets a new note in the luxury segment

At the same time as the ML 450 HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz will be launching an S‑Class with petrol hybrid on the market. In the S 400 HYBRID, which will also be available from mid-2009 in Europe, the 279 hp V6 petrol engine is combined with a hybrid module delivering from the outset 160 Nm and 20 hp. The combined maximum power output is 299 hp, the combined maximum torque amounts to 375 Nm.

The S 400 HYBRID can accelerate in 7.3 seconds from 0 to 62 mph and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Yet even with such excellent performance, this superb combustion engine achieves 35.8 mpg in the NEFZ cycle. This results in CO₂ emissions of just 190 g/km, making the S 400 HYBRID the most fuel-efficient luxury petrol engine saloon in the world, independently of whether competitors pit a petrol- diesel- or hybrid drive against it. Only the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, the S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID and the F 700, also presented at the IAA by Mercedes-Benz, can improve significantly on the world record set by the S 400 HYBRID in terms of low fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
  
Enjoyable and economical driving from one efficient unit

The compact hybrid module installed in all the S-Class hybrids comprises a disc-shaped electric engine, which also functions as a starter motor and dynamo. This system offers a double benefit, working on the one hand in various ways to save fuel, and making driving so much more fun.

The main reason for the increased driving enjoyment is what is known as the boost effect, whereby the electric engine supports the combustion engine during the high-consumption acceleration phase with a maximum extra torque of 160 Nm.  With this high torque the electric engine assists the combustion engine heartily when accelerating from very low engine speeds. As a result, the combustion engine itself needs less time and energy to build up its maximum torque. The only thing the driver notices from this synergy of the two power units is a supremely effortless power output whenever he starts off.
     
The hybrid module also features a comfortable start-stop function which switches the engine off whenever the vehicle stops, for example at traffic lights. Once the vehicle is ready to move off again, the electric engine starts the main engine again so gently, that it remains virtually unnoticed. This of course also contributes to fuel savings and is kind to the environment: since the engine starts virtually immediately, virtually no unburned fuel is discharged when starting off. When decelerating, on the other hand, the electric engine functions as a generator, and can recover braking energy in what is known as the recuperation process. This energy is stored in a powerful but compact lithium-ion battery pack in the engine compartment, ready for use when required. The engine management of this complex system is governed by a powerful control unit, which is also installed close to the engine.  

2010: fuel cell goes into standard production in the B–Class F-Cell 

In the summer of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will launch the first series-production car with a local zero-emission fuel-cell drive. The small-scale series production of the B-Class F-Cell will begin in early 2010. The engine for this innovative vehicle will be a new generation of fuel-cell engine that is much more compact and yet at the same time more powerful and completely practicable for everyday use.   

At its heart, in technical terms, will be the optimised fuel-cell system which Mercedes-Benz introduced in the F 600 HYGENIUS research vehicle in 2005. This very compact system is considerably more efficient than previous generations of fuel cells. The redesigned stack is around 40 per cent smaller and produces 30 per cent more power, yet it uses 16 per cent less fuel. Starting under cold conditions has also been improved with the help of innovations such as an electric turbocharger to control the air supply and a new ventilation and dehumidification system.  

The B-Class F-Cell features another improved, more compact and more powerful system. The electric engine develops top output of 136 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. The B-Class F-Cell therefore meets all expectations in terms of dynamic performance, which is on a par with that of a two-litre petrol-engine vehicle. However, the consumption of the emission-free fuel-cell engine in this ideal compact family car corresponds to an outstanding 97.4 mpg (diesel equivalent). 

2010: the new Business Class in the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID

The new E-Class will arrive on the market in 2010 as the first of a total of three Mercedes-Benz models to offer the unique combination of BLUETEC, 7G-TRONIC and hybrid technology. The modular technology concept of the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID consists of a new four-cylinder diesel that develops 204 hp and a maximum torque of 480 Nm from 2.2 litres of displacement, plus a compact hybrid module delivering an additional 20 hp. However, due to diesel-specific advantages in terms of torque and consumption, this BLUETEC/Hybrid combination is here an even more efficient unit than all petrol hybrids know up till the present. 
 
With the high combined torque of 560 Nm of its 4-cylinder engine, the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID surpasses many 6-cylinder diesels upwards of 3 litres displacement, displaying effortless superiority convincingly. Fuel consumption of 55.4 mpg, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of just 134 g/km, make the BLUETEC HYBRID the cleanest and most economical business saloon in the world. 

2010: S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID with 560 Nm and just 52.3 mpg

The tremendous savings potential of the modular technology concept being applied by Mercedes-Benz is underlined by the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, due to arrive on the market in 2010, too. The configuration and performance data of this engine are identical to those in the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID. In the S-Class too, the BLUETEC/Hybrid combination develops a maximum torque of 560 Nm, comparable with that of a large-volume V8 petrol engine. When combined with the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 8.4 seconds, and it can reach a top speed of 149 mph. Even with this superior performance, fuel consumption stands at 52.3 mpg, corresponding to a mere 142 g/km CO₂ ‑ 57 g/km, or some 30 per cent, less than the current best saloon in the S-Class segment anywhere in the world.  

The S-Class uses the version of BLUETEC with AdBlue injection system. Thanks to the combination of BLUETEC and hybrid technology - the only combination of this nature in the world, delivering the most economical and environmentally compatible premium cars in the world - the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID has the potential to meet the most stringent emissions standards applicable anywhere in the world.

After 2010: C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID with 204 hp and 61.4 mpg

In 2011 the C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID will be the next Mercedes-Benz model benefiting from the unique modular technology concept to enter the market. With a combined power output of 224 hp and a combined maximum torque of 560 Nm, the engine delivers the same performance here as it does in the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID and the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID. Due to its lower vehicle weight, the C 300 BLUETEC accelerates even faster (0-62 mph in 7.2 s), while its top speed stands at 147 mph.

Even with such superior performance for a vehicle in this class, the C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is capable of 61.4 mpg, achieving in the process CO₂ emissions of just 122 g/km, the lowest of any vehicle in its class in the world.

After 2010: excellent power and economy with the S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID