Diesel Electric Hybrids Are Catching Attention
Within the last month, VW and BMW have both announced diesel-electric hybrid vehicles. Not to be outdone, Mercedes Benz is putting out a diesel-electric hybrid concept of its own. The Vision GLK BLUETEC Hybrid is based on the soon-to-be available GLK compact SUV, shown off in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show in January.
The body styling is a bit rough on the eyes, but the 2.2L 4-cylinder mild hybrid diesel electric can boost its MPG to 40 on US roads. The vehicle can hit the 62-mph mark in just 7.3 seconds. The hybrid technology at work in the Vision GLK hybrid was developed jointly with BMW, so the performances of the Vision GLK and the Vision EfficientDynamics concept are similar.
The design makes efficient use of the hybrid module, which sits between the common-rail direct injection (CDI) engine and the automatic transmission. The electric motor can support the ICE during acceleration by adding up to 160 nm of additional torque. The ICE engine is switched off when the car idles. The transition between ICE and electric motor is unnoticeable to the driver, and the ICE can be turned back on within milliseconds. The vehicle also makes use of regenerative braking, capturing energy and storing it in on-board lithium-ion batteries.
Mercedes Benz plans to launch the first Li-ion powered hybrid vehicle, announcing last week that it had secured patents on a method of cooling Li-ion batteries with the vehicle’s climate control system. Mercedes Benz says that by using the vehicle’s climate control system, it can keep the battery temperatures between 60° F and 95° F, extending the life of the battery and improving its performance.
The Vision GLK won’t be the first Mercedes Benz hybrid to get the Li-ion batteries. The company has announced that distinction will go to the S400 BlueHybrid expected in dealer showrooms in 2009. The S400 BlueHybrid, a diesel electric announced at the 2007 Frankfort Auto Show, will sport a 3.5L V6 that delivers 30 MPG.
March 4, 2008 - by Hybrid Car Chat · Filed Under Hybrid Cars |
