AUTO TEST WINNERS in GREEN! 2013: M-Class and B-Class are the most environmentally friendly

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The renowned German environmental research institute "ÖkoTrend" has ascertained that the Mercedes-Benz ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC and Mercedes-Benz B 200 Natural Gas Drive are the most eco- friendly cars in their class. Both models have thus now been honoured as "Winners in Green" by the magazine AUTO TEST.

The independent research institute "ÖkoTrend" in Germany has been analysing and evaluating products according to ecological criteria and in terms of the social and environmental responsibility of their manufacturers since 1995. The environmental car ranking, published annually, is always awaited with great interest. The environmental credentials of a broad range of cars are thoroughly assessed in twelve different categories on the basis of extensive data accumulated by the Institute. The categories include fuel consumption, pollutant emissions, manufacturing, logistics, recycling and the environmental management system operated by the manufacturer.

For the second consecutive time, the top spot among the SUVs has been taken by the Mercedes-Benz ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC. When it came to the compact MPVs, first place also went to a Mercedes-Benz – the B 200 Natural Gas Drive. Specialist journal AUTO TEST has therefore honoured both cars with the title of "AUTO TEST WINNER in GREEN! 2013".

The Mercedes-Benz ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC owes its top ranking among the SUVs to, amongst other things, its state-of-the-art four-cylinder diesel engine, which features both direct injection and turbocharging. From a displacement of 2143 cc the car delivers an output of 150 kW (204 hp) and impressive torque of 500 Newton metres. This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds and to use a mere 6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, while emitting just 158 g/km of CO2 (combined). It is therefore able to travel a distance of up to 1500 kilometres without the need for refuelling. The Mercedes-Benz B 200 Natural Gas Drive operates on the basis of Monovalent+. This means that the engine runs as a general rule on natural gas, but that the vehicle also has a small, 12‑litre petrol tank on board to cope with any emergencies. Should the natural gas tank at any point run empty, the vehicle will switch automatically and imperceptibly to run on petrol.

Thanks to its natural gas drive system, the CO2 emissions of the 115 kW (156 hp) engine in the B 200 Natural Gas Drive have been reduced by more than 16 percent. Furthermore its exhaust gas emissions are significantly cleaner than those of a vehicle running on petrol or diesel, while the fuel costs are around 50 percent lower than for the equivalent petrol-engine model.
Because the driver is not able to actively select the petrol operating mode, the B 200 natural Gas Drive is certified as a natural gas vehicle and thus able to benefit from tax incentives. The range of the vehicle in natural gas operating mode is around 500 kilometres.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Mondial de l’Automobile 2012: Electricity on all fronts - The new Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive

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A new addition to Mercedes-Benz's family of electric vehicles: at the Paris Motor Show, the company is presenting a battery-powered electric variant of the B-Class. This concept vehicle is one of the first models to incorporate the term "Electric Drive" into its model designation. In future, "Electric Drive" lettering will adorn the boot lids of all battery-powered electric passenger cars from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and smart.

Similarly to the successful B-Class models with combustion engines, the battery-powered Concept B-Class Electric Drive also combines a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience with full suitability for everyday and family use. The so-called Energy Space in the floor of the vehicle in front of the rear axle ensures that the concept vehicle offers the same generous and variable space inside as the current series production models. The Energy Space provides a safe and space-saving means of accommodating the powerful lithium-ion battery which also has a positive effect on the vehicle's centre of gravity.

The Concept B-Class Electric Drive is equipped with a 100 kW electric motor whose powerful 310 Newton meters of torque provide for attractive driving dynamics over a range of 200 kilometres. The battery can be charged at any standard domestic 230 V power outlet or alternatively – with rapid charging function – at a 400 V high-voltage terminal.

In the B-Class, Mercedes-Benz has at its disposal an extremely versatile car which is suitable for the most diverse types of drive – from combustion engines through battery-powered drives to the fuel cell. Thanks to Energy Space, the B-Class is the ultimate all-rounder and the Mercedes trailblazer for alternative drives in the compact premium automobile segment. The particularly family-friendly electric car from Mercedes-Benz is almost ready for series production, with the market launch already planned for 2014.

The Paris Motor Show will also feature the world premieres of the production versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive and the smart BRABUS electric drive. These new electric cars in three different vehicle categories from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and smart demonstrate once again Daimler's rigorous pursuit of its drive strategy focusing on the ultimate objective of zero-emission driving. Along with optimised combustion engines and hybridisation tailored to prevailing needs, the focus is on battery-powered electric drives and the fuel cell.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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The new E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID sets out on an economy challenge - with a twist

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• The most efficient E-Class ever created combines performance and efficiency
• New E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID achieves a peak speed of 136 mph at the most southern airport and 120 mph at the most northern airport in the UK – travelling the 830-miles between Newquay and Wick on a single tank of fuel
• A real-world test - encountered traffic, diversions and poor weather and was driven at normal carriageway speeds
• 67.3 mpg achieved over the course of the journey, including the high-speed runs
• A quarter of a tank of fuel remained – suggesting a theoretical range in excess of 1,100-miles

The new Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is designed to be capable of combining performance and efficiency. In standard form it can accelerate from rest to 62mph in 7.5-seconds. It can achieve a maximum speed of 150 mph and can return 67 mpg while emitting as little as 109 g/km of CO2.

To prove the theory in the real-world, the very first example of the car to arrive in the UK set out on an economy run – with a twist – to prove that driving fun and efficiency can be combined.

First, driving duties were handed over to ex-rally driver Mick Linford. Next, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID started its economy run in the unlikely surroundings of the main runway at Newquay Cornwall Airport – the most southern active airport in mainland Britain. Here the car accelerated from rest to 62 mph in a little over seven seconds before achieving a peak speed of 136 mph.

The car was then driven entirely normally the 830-miles north to its counterpart in Scotland – Wick Airport – the most northern airport in mainland Britain. Over the course of the two-day journey it encountered real-world driving conditions, including heavy traffic, diversions and challenging weather.

On arrival at Wick Airport the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID achieved a maximum speed of 120 mph down the runway, which was 911 metres shorter than at Newquay.

The engineering team behind the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID aimed to strike a balance between delivering everyday economy and performance, when required. Over a distance of 830-miles and two days, the car achieved a peak speed of 136 mph. It returned economy of 67.3 mpg.

The entire trip was carried out on a single tank of fuel – of which a quarter remained on its arrival in Wick. Had the car carried on driving it would have achieved a theoretical range in excess of 1,100-miles.

This extraordinary economy is made possible through a hybrid system linked to the efficient four-cylinder diesel engine - an electric motor is mounted within the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. The gearbox substitutes a torque converter for a wet clutch system, therefore allowing for the internal combustion engine to be disengaged entirely via the clutch and for electric-only drive to be maintained for short periods, boosting economy. The system is intricately packaged within the vehicle so as not to impact on the load capacity of the E-Class in any way.

The new E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is available to order now in both saloon and estate form. It produces a total of 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Prices start at £39,645.00 OTR for the saloon and £41,435.00 OTR for the estate.

Credits: Mercedes-Benz UK

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