F&I Management & Training

Mercedes-Benz is introducing a powerful new lithium-ion battery that has 10 times the power of traditional lead batteries, while saving drivers 20% on fuel efficiency. The manufacturer's S400 BlueHybrid, which is due to be launched in 2009, is expected to become the first hybrid car with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are already well established in the electronics market and have long been anticipated as the future in the electric and hybrid vehicle sector. Smaller and lighter than the nickel-hydride batteries used in hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic IMA, the new battery is claimed by Mercedes to represent a world record in fuel economy for luxury cars. The 20 bhp electric motor combined with a V6 279 bhp petrol engine propels a Mercedes S350 to a top speed of 155 mph. The hybrid model has a 0-62 mph time of 7.2 seconds and returns 30 mpg, compared with the conventional model's 23 mpg.

DATED: 25.09.08

FEED: AW