Mercedes-Benz new concept Blue Zero for next generation

Posted at January 15th, 2009 under Mercedes | No Comments »

The Mercedes-Benz new concept Blue zero tends to reveal in Detroit Auto show, which will be an example of  clean technology and a preview of styling for the next generation Mercedes B-Class.

The Blue zero concept uses a sandwich floor design and a modular powertrain system
like the current A and B class models. The BlueZero E-Cell uses a 35 kWh lithium ion battery pack to provide a 120-mile range, while the BlueZero F-Cell variant gets a 90 kW hydrogen fuel cell for a 240-mile range. The advantage of sandwich floor design with modified construction include the flexibility and efficiency 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 under body.

The BlueZero E-CELL PLUS has the same 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine as the smart for two as an additional range extender and it can store enough energy for a range of 50 kilometers 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 kilometers respectively.

The Bluezero is made elegant by the curved “L” shape taillights and “C” shaped daytime driving lights with LED technology.

“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.

Mercedes declares that it will begin low-volume series production of the fuel cell B-Class later this year follow that with low volume series production of a battery electric vehicle by 2010.