Mercedes-Benz Maps Out 20 Percent Fuel Economy Boost

By Marty Padgett July 7th, 2008

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2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC Preview

While a wide range of powertrain possibilities, including gasoline and diesel hybrids along with fuel cells, are possible over the long term, the German automaker plans to achieve up to a 20 percent gain in fuel economy throughout much of its fleet over the next several years, says Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management, in charge of Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. The first 10 percent will be through incremental measures—including those influenced on the automaker’s European-market BlueEfficiency cars—such as low-rolling-resistance tires and the elimination of belt-driven accessories, while the second 10 percent would be achieved through start-stop technology.

Similar to the feature that’s been used on hybrid-powertrain vehicles for many years now, along with the full-size GM pickups labeled hybrids, the start-stop feature would simply shut off the engine during periods of sustained idling, resuming it smoothly and almost instantaneously when starting back up from a traffic light or gridlock.

Weber said that start-stop hardware itself costs roughly 250 euros, or close to $400, per car, and it’s being launched as an option in the European A- and B-Class models. In-house, the automaker is developing start-stop components that it plans to install across its entire line of vehicles, at a similar cost.

Start-stop “will be a base technology for every single car” from Mercedes-Benz, according to Weber. Regarding the North American market, Weber said, the only question will be how fast the company can convince the customer that it’s needed and that it adds value.

“To bring these technologies into cars will cost time and money,” Weber says, “We are going this way. The only question is how fast?” Weber elaborated that the company needs to go about it aggressively and proactively, in such a way that they “deliver something special to the customer.”

A more fuel-efficient vehicle with the three-pointed star might just be that. —Bengt Halvorson

Posted in : Diesels, Hybrid Cars, Mercedes-Benz |

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5 Responses to “Mercedes-Benz Maps Out 20 Percent Fuel Economy Boost”

Its in their power to bring amazing new technologies on the production line. They have a wide range of solutions undergoing development.

I’m not going to classify anything described above as “amazing new technology”. Electricly driven accesories and start-stop tech is more like a no-brainer. I wouldn’t label start-stop vehicles as hybrids but they do make alot more sense for the majority of drivers. I hope all manufacturers will make start-stop standard in the next 5-10 years.

Wow, amazing! So basically they will take their 24.7mpg CAFE total for 2007, and kick it up 20% to ~29.6mpg over the next “several years”. It’s too bad that also over the next several years, the CAFE for passenger cars will bump to 31.2mpg for 2011, and then up every year after until it hits 35.7mpg.

I hope Mercedes has a few more tricks up their sleeve if they want to stop paying millions in CAFE fines.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think CAFE is moronic and the market should decide what efficiency cars get. However, the notion that Mercedes is “going green” seems sorta hollow when they don’t even meet the minimum standard expected of a manufacturer.

To: LITTLE IMPROVEMENT!.
For a way over PRICED, attitudes.
Jeep deisel,40-mpg and better, PULLED from market, it is American made, “‘ATTITUDES, attitude, attitude”".
Not worth the price they are asking!!. Mercedes that is!.

Umm willyj, the diesel in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a M-B diesel. The GL and ML’s with the diesel get great economy for what they are, and really, if someone could deal with an “entry level” GL class with the diesel, it’s really a better bargin than the Yukon/Tahoe Hybrid, and the GL gets better economy. Hmmmm. As far as that goes, isn’t the ML and the GL American made too? I mean if that’s your reason for buying something…..

CAFE is a moronic deal. I agree with Bob, the market should decide what efficiency people want, and with gas prices at record highs here in the states, you can already see the shift in peoples buying decisions. Just some FYI full size trucks and SUV are having the highest REPO rates in the auto business…..