Mercedes-Benz presents a modular drive concept for electric vehicles: Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO

Mercedes-Benz is showing the way ahead in environmentally
responsible electromobility by presenting its near-series Concept
BlueZERO at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Based on a single vehicle architecture, this intelligent, modular
concept allows three models with different drive configurations, all of
which are able to meet customer requirements in terms of sustainable
mobility:

• the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a range of up to 200 kilometres using electric drive alone
• the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of well over 400 kilometres using electric drive
• the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS
  with electric drive and additional internal combustion engine as power
  generator (range extender). This version has an overall range of up to
  600 kilometres and can cover a distance of up to 100 kilometres using
  electric drive alone.

The
three BlueZERO variants are based on the unique sandwich-floor
architecture which Mercedes-Benz introduced some ten years ago,
initially for the A-Class and then for the B-Class, one of the aims
being to integrate alternative drive systems. Advantages of the
modified construction include the positive effect of the major drive
components on the centre of gravity, their space-saving design and the
fact that they are extremely well protected within the vehicle
underbody. The five-seater BlueZERO concept cars also set standards in
terms of lightweight design, interior layout and body form.

“The flexible BlueZERO concept allows electromobility for every
requirement and highlights the fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world’s
only car manufacturer to already have in place all the key technologies
for electric cars offering full everyday practicality”, says Dr Dieter
Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of
Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The BlueZERO principle: flexible design, compact exterior, generously sized interior

All three BlueZERO variants share the same key technical components,
while the design and vehicle dimensions are identical. Measuring just
4.22 metres in length, the BlueZERO models combine compact exterior
dimensions with a generously proportioned and variable interior and
luggage compartment. Five fully-fledged seats, a payload of around 450
kilograms and a luggage compartment capacity of over 500 litres make
for outstanding everyday practicality. Thanks to their sandwich
construction with a raised sitting position, the cars also offer an
exceptionally high level of crash safety for the passengers and the
technology, not to mention excellent all-round visibility.

Compared to electric cars based on conventional vehicle platforms and
originally only designed for use in combination with internal
combustion engines, Concept BlueZERO offers the following conclusive
advantages:

• Interior space is retained in full.
  As the energy accumulators/generators are integrated into the spacious
  sandwich floor, no compromises are necessary when it comes to passenger
  space, luggage capacity or variability.

• The powertrain technology built into the sandwich floor ensures a low centre of gravity and, consequently, extremely reliable and agile handling.
  
• Crash safety
  is of the extremely high standard associated with Mercedes thanks to
  the sandwich concept and the housing of major powertrain components
  between the axles.

As
a result, the BlueZERO models are very different to conventionally
constructed electric cars, which have the heavy and voluminous storage
battery housed in the boot or in the rear-seat area, for example.

Modular design ensures flexibility and efficiency

“Our modular system allows different drive configurations for every
customer requirement”, says Dr Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler
AG Board of Management responsible for corporate research and
development at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The modified sandwich-floor
platform provides the perfect basis for a wide model range with
electric drive systems. We are also developing a new, additional
platform for future compact models with power units based on optimised
internal combustion engines. The intelligent networking of both
architectures enables us to develop our product portfolio extremely
flexibly and efficiently. From 2009, we will be producing the first
Mercedes fuel-cell cars on a small scale. Small-scale production of
Mercedes-Benz cars with battery-electric drive alone will then commence
in 2010. This means we are extremely well equipped for the future.”

All three BlueZERO models feature front-wheel drive, which is typical
for this class of car. The Mercedes engineers have put together a
modular system comprising several flexibly combinable drive components.
These include state-of-the-art liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with
a storage capacity of up to 35 kWh and the compact electric motor with
a maximum output of 100 kW (continuous output 70 kW), which develops a
peak torque of 320 Nm. All three variants accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h
in less than 11 seconds. Their top speed is electronically limited to
150 km/h in the interests of optimal range and energy efficiency.

Electric drive systems with a range of 100, 200 and well over 400 kilometres

With a charging capacity of 15 kW, the powerful lithium-ion batteries
in the BlueZERO E-CELL and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS can store enough
energy for a range of 50 kilometres within 30 minutes. In terms of
purely electrical drive, one or two hours of charging time is needed
for a range of 100 and 200 kilometres respectively. The charging times
are doubled if the charging capacity is 7 kW, as would be the case in a
normal household. Both of these BlueZERO vehicles incorporate an
electronic control unit that supports intelligent charging stations and
billing systems.

At the rear, the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS has the same 1.0-litre
turbocharged petrol engine as the smart fortwo as an additional range
extender. This compact three-cylinder powerplant has an output of 50 kW
at a constant 3500 rpm. If required, it can recharge the 17.5-kWh
lithium-ion battery by means of a similarly rated alternator. A range
of up to 600 kilometres is possible on a single tank. The purely
electrical, locally emission-free range is up to 100 kilometres. The
BlueZERO F-CELL with fuel-cell drive achieves a range of well over 400
kilometres with zero emissions (as per NEDC).

BlueZERO design: both elegant and functional

Leading-edge technology is uniformly and attractively packaged in all
three BlueZERO variants. The unique and distinctive Mercedes design
idiom displayed by the body highlights the progressive nature of
Concept BlueZERO straight away.

The powerfully elegant front end is dominated by the radiator grille
with its centrally located star. The excellent aerodynamics of the
BlueZERO are partly due to the closed front apron, whose design means
that cooling air intakes are not required. The 20-inch wheels have also
been aerodynamically optimised, while low-friction tyres reduce rolling
resistance.

The striking character lines along the flanks lend the BlueZERO an
extremely dynamic side line and accentuate its bionic structure
inspired by nature. This characteristic feature of the Mercedes-Benz
bionic car was adapted and modified for the BlueZERO models. These
elements lend the body its dramatic power.

New-quality light production

The compact rear end of the Concept BlueZERO is characterised by tail
lights in the shape of a curved “L”. In addition, the Mercedes
designers have achieved a new-quality light production: transparent
lenses produce a red light curtain which tapers smoothly towards the
sides, creating a lightly diffused effect. This effect is repeated,
albeit in white this time, by the front headlamps. What’s more, the
front lights feature new lens technology and a plexiglass edge to
produce “C” shaped daytime driving lights with the help of
state-of-the-art LED technology.

Intelligent technology made visible

Translucent surfaces make the normally concealed technology visible.
The light-grey tailgate is made completely from lightweight but highly
robust Lexan that allows a view of the aluminium structure that makes
up the rigidifying frame, for example. At the same time this
transparent tailgate provides a view of the vehicle interior, making
the advantages of the sandwich-floor platform obvious at a glance: for
maximum customer benefit, the luggage compartment and passenger area
remain fully usable, since there are no technical components that need
to be accommodated here.

“It was very important for us to ensure that the guiding Mercedes-Benz
principle of ‘Fascination and Responsibility’ was clearly reflected in
the design of the Concept BlueZERO”, says Mercedes-Benz design chief
Gorden Wagener. “This is yet another clear statement that environmental
awareness and driving pleasure will continue to go together in our
vehicles in the future. We want people to realise at first sight that
the Concept BlueZERO is definitively not a lesser option.”

The Mercedes-Benz designers have emphasised this aspiration by
introducing paint finishes in three new ALU-BEAM colours. Each of the
three variants makes its individual mark: the BlueZERO E-CELL is
painted in a fresh ALU-BEAM Yellow, while the BlueZERO F-CELL has
ALU-BEAM Green paintwork. Confidence-oozing ALU-BEAM Orange was chosen
for the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS.