Autoweek highlighted the German plant slated to produce the electric motor for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid, due out in 2009. The electric motors will begin production later this year at a rate of 35,000 engines a year.
The plant can produce 200,000 engines per year.
Not all the electric motors are slated for the S-class, however. There are eight hybrid projects for four different vehicle manufacturers going on. The motors will end up in cars, buses and delivery vehicles.
The hybrid S-Class is estimated to get 299 hp and go from 0-62 in 7.3 seconds. That's not exactly building for fuel economy, but faced with stiffer mandates in Europe and in the US, Mercedes needs to explore the possibilities.
And unlike GM, Mercedes expects to make a profit selling hybrids almost right away because they can sell their cars for more.
The S-Class hybrid is expected to be a mild hybrid with a 2.2l Bluetec diesel and may get over 36 mpg. The S-Class Bluetec Hybrid was introduced in Tokyo along with the C 300 Bluetec hybrid.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
German Plant Getting Ready to Produce Motors for S-Class Bluetec Hybrid
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