Bullett

Save those AMG's boys!

In less than 7 years, Mercedes-Benz plans to ditch petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. Focusing on electric, fuel cell, and biofuels, the company is revving up research in alternative fuel sources and efficiency.

The German car company has a few new powertrains in the line-up that European journalists have had the opportunity to test out in their facility in Spain. One vehicle includes the F700, powered by a DiesOtto engine that combines HCCI and spark ignition to get nearly the same efficiency as diesel, but minus the expensive after-treatment systems. The engine can run on biofuels, and we may have a purchasable vehicle by 2010 – a year that seems to be popular for the debut of a lot of new alternative fuel car models, making ’08 and ’09 simply thumb-twiddling years for consumers. I don’t know, maybe car makers just like the roundness of “2010.” The company’s next big step will be to launch a Smart electric car which is fuel and emission-free.

Anyway, Mercedes is looking into electric vehicles, both battery powered and fuel cell powered. Not only are models in development, but we’ve also seen the company making steps towards their zero petroleum goal right now, from better cabs in London to Li-Ion battery improvements. The company also has about 100 Smart electric cars undergoing testing in London, with that favorite 2010 year as the projected market release date. Mercedes is making serious investments, already putting nearly $4 million into the pot of their long-term Sustainable Mobility plan, with another over $14 billion going in before 2014.

While car models may be able to run on fuels other than gasoline or diesel, we have yet to find a method of both running and producing vehicles entirely free of fossil fuels. I’m waiting for a mainstream car line that creates renewable fuel-powered, clean running vehicles made out of 100% recycled materials and manufactured in plants run on 100% renewable, clean power

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

This just in!!!

BMW to cut wheels out of lineup by 2014.

bigben320e

I just do not believe this. Even if Mercedes said it, I still don't. Next thing we will hear Mercedes will be producing flying cars.

I call:

stevebez

Think 2015 is way to early... for there to be no petroleum cars? Nope.

Bullett

This was a direct copy from an article this weekend off Digg News... I am looking to corroborate..

Personally, I think that 2015 is doable, especially with plug in electric, very simple...

bigben320e

Sure it may be doable, but guess what? It won't happen. There is way to much money tied up into the structure using oil. Using electric is just not that simple, there are still performance issues and several other issues. I mentioned on another thread, that the maturity of alternatives fuels and sources are not at the level of maturity to say we can drop oil altogether. It won't be at 2015 either, I could be wrong. (I don't think so, that's just 7 years off.)

I would like to see an AMG that runs on electric power. Screw a SMART car or a taxi. That's a real world use for consumers. A CLS 83 Electric car! 700HP! Yeah!

This remains to be seen.

Karlson

so electric car will be the answer. haha. Toyota Prius got less mpg then new m3(just watched last week's Top Gear episode). I guess it is april 1st joke, but kind of too late for that.

Centurion

In the USA and Canada it would be called a Mercedes Benz E 120V...no thank you.

E55 PWR

wow lots of misinformation here....


First off prius is NOT a full electric. It is the worst kind of hybrid out there, the "parallel" hybrid. It is increadibly inefficient and toyota/honda know it which is why they are trying to defend it. But as proven by top gear, its not efficient at all. In fact you can get better gas mileage from a smart car, especially the smart diesel (71mpg). The "serial" hybrid is the car of the future, it is the most efficient platform and can be made with plug in hybrid technology as well. Plug in hybrids are definitely the most viable short term solution, and the electric smart mini is coming out by 2010 so its not unlikely at all. In fact the ONLY car company that can truly make this happen IS mercedes b/c if they managed to pull it off EVERYONE else would do what they always do: COPY mercedes so the industry would be forced to switch over. I think its realistic goal, I'd love to see it happen.

Karlson

I know that Prius is not electric, it was just a first hybrid car that came to my mind

joshd

I really don't care what type of fuel will propel the future AMG, as long as the principals remain. As long as there is a dominating amount of acceleration combined with refined luxury and sportiness, it wont really matter what type of technology is under the hood. I do wonder though if they'll still hand build and sign a plaque for an electric/fuel cell/whatever motor

MJ50

toyota is already doing R&D on this project...

buckeyewalt

I still think that gas/diesel vehicles will be the choice of vehicles even in 2015.
There is just too much money invested into the system for these types of vehicles, be it parts, mechanics, aftermarket components, or what have you. I do think that we will see a substantial increase in electric vehicles as battery advancements continue, but gas/ddiesel vehicles will still be around. I also think that the cost of gas will go down, and by a large amount. The supply is more that adequate to the demand, and with new finds in Saudia Arabia supplying more than 1.2 billions barrels of oil additional per day, and if we get the dollar back to where it belongs, we should see low $50-$80 barrel of crude within the next year or so. Again,,my take on this!

Jakpro1

Well until then, AMG just threw up the teaser pic for the near 700hp god of hellfire SL65 unveiling.

Let's party up and let the band play on until she (hp) goes down gentlemen.

Yacht Master

It will never happen. Mercedes will not cut petroleum out of lineup by 2015.
Total BS.

If you spend any time studying the alternatives, you will see, what we have now is the most efficient. The biggest gains are to be found in smaller lighter cars with small engines (Smart cars).

Electric and hydrogen fuel cells, just move the burn site and have huge inefficiencies. The big BS shell game. Just look at Ballard power systems
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=B...urce=undefined
Fuel cells are dead......been dead 8 years.....

With diesel fuel prices over $4.78 there is no advantage to diesel any more. (in 1998 diesel was $0.47 @ gallon non tax for export) Those days are long gone now. The cost per BTU gasoline to diesel is the same now, but cost to build diesel engine is more, so for the sub 200 HP market, diesels will be passed over.

I can see NG & LPG but again no real advantage.

Solar? won't power the air-conditioning let alone a 0-60 slower than an 80 year old on a bicycle.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

Here's a secret: We have enough oil to continue burning fossil fuels at current and projected rates for over 200 years.

I know. But its the last thing the Saudis and oil barons want you to know.

Ridege55

Some of you may have received the invite, but I participated in a research study sponsored by AMG 3 weeks ago. Aside from the $75 bucks they gave me, it was very intersting. All the questions were centered around alternative fuels and the likelihood of me staying with an AMG if it maintained the same performance as a gas powered engine.

lexaltezza

Agreed. I guess soon though, the sound of an exhaust will be a thing of the past.

Bullett

The nice thing about all electric is that you have all the HP the engine can make available ALL THE TIME... no real power bands. obviously gearing has to be done so as not to lose control of the car from the start..

How much power do you want at any given time? Depress the pedal, no lag from the engine.. I feel sure that they will figure out the "comfort power" factor, though..

blackbenzz

That's Kleemanns slogan

I cant wait for the SL65 BS unveiling! Just another car for me to drool over and wish I could afford!

skooby

E220V everywhere else, we always miss the good cars here.

lauer87

The TQ is available from 1rpm up until the electic motor's redline, with a flat torque curve. The thing that SHOULD happen is a small gas/diesel motor powering a generator to drive small but powerful electric traction motors are two or all four wheels. Like a tiny locomotive. Oh and for those that think electric/hybrids aren't fast cars, look up the Tesla roadster. Currently the technology is still very young for automobiles, and they are having "issues" figuring out the gearing/transmission set-up, and top speeds aren't quite what we would be used to. Give the technology time to develop.

I still doubt MB will be completely petroleum free by 2015.

RENNSTAGE

Saying the mercedes is gona stop using gas by 2015 is like saying rosey odonell is gona sotp eating cake by tommorow.

Yacht Master

Rosey eats PIE.

Harsany

No way....