Mercedes-Benz zeroes in
Mercedes-Benz claims it is showing the
way ahead in environmentally responsible ways, 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 three types are
Mercedes-Benz
BlueZERO
1: the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a
range of up to 200 kilometers using electric drive alone
2: the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of well over
400 kilometers using electric drive
3: 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 kilometers and can cover a distance of up to 100
kilometers using electric drive alone.
“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 optimized 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 variants share the same key technical
components, while the design and vehicle dimensions are
identical. Measuring just 4.22 meters 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
liters 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.
These BlueZERO vehicles have been designed from the ground
up as electric cars, 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 center 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.
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.
These vehicles will bring practicality to the electric
mobility - most people use their cars for short-range
commuting most of the time, with only the occasional longer
trip. This configuration allows most people the ability to
go petrol-free 90 percent of the time without restricting
them on longer trips.
2010 is increasingly shaping up as the launch date for
much-anticipated electric vehicles from major manufacturers
around the world. Bring on the alternatives, I say! I’ve had
enough from the pimps at the pumps.
Sat-Nav voted best
in-car device
A poll has just been carried out in the UK, with
54 percent of Sat-Nav users saying it to be the best device
they have ever had in their car.
So what can those who got a new Sat-Nav for Christmas look
forward to?
61 percent of respondents agreed that their Sat-Nav had
stopped them getting lost countless times.
Only 10 percent disagreed.
44 percent use it very frequently.
Almost half (49 percent) are worried that it might get
stolen.
Only 4 percent strongly agree they are worried it might take
them to somewhere they do not want to go.
Sat-Nav
Almost half (47 percent) disagree that they are worried.
But 30 percent of respondents say that their sat nav has
taken them to a place that they did not want to go with 44
percent disagreeing.
Three-quarters with a sat nav still carry a road atlas.
22 percent of respondents agree that their Sat-Nav sometimes
distracts them when they are driving (3 percent strongly
agree) but almost half (45 percent) disagree.
38 percent of respondents with a Sat-Nav would prefer a
female voice to a male voice although 44 percent didn’t mind
either way.
Commenting, Edmund King, Automobile Association president in
the UK said, “Satellite Navigation systems are brilliant
devices if used safely. A majority of those that have them
think they are the best in-car device ever. These devices
can enhance safety by reassuring drivers they are on the
right route. Often roads are poorly signed so the Sat-Nav
helps as a guide. However, the road atlas is still alive and
well. We recommend that every driver should have an atlas to
back up the Sat-Nav. You don’t want to end up in Stratford,
East London if you really wanted the RSC in
Stratford-upon-Avon.” Ah yes, but will it find the
difference between Soi Sam and Sai Sam I wonder?
Some other interesting facts from the survey included:
Men were much more likely to own one than women, with almost
half (47 percent) owning one compared to less than
one-in-three women (30 percent)
The age group most likely to own a Sat-Nav were 18-24 year
olds (43 percent).
Drivers in Northern Ireland were least likely to say that
Sat-Nav had prevented them getting lost countless times (50
percent) and those in London Wales and East Anglia most
likely (64 percent).
The AA’s Top Ten sat nav tips:
1. You are driving the car, not the Sat-Nav. If you have an
accident or commit an offence, it’s your fault.
2. What you see through the windscreen must take priority
over what the Sat Nav says. If the road doesn’t look
suitable, don’t use it.
3. You know what sort of vehicle you are driving, the
Sat-Nav probably doesn’t. Watch for signs that could tell
you the road isn’t suitable for your vehicle.
4. Don’t let the Sat-Nav dominate your driving - watch the
road not the Sat-Nav.
5. Put the Sat-Nav in a sensible place. Don’t create a blind
spot, or put it where it could cause injury.
6. Don’t try to program the Sat-Nav while you are driving.
You know it will take one hand from the wheel, two eyes from
the road and a brain from driving.
7. Use all the Sat-Nav’s features. When driving gets
complicated, use the spoken instructions, and/or the
simplest display.
8. Check the route is practical before you start. Are you
being taken to the right place? If you put in the wrong
destination, it will take you to there. Does the route look
right?
9. Update the Sat-Nav regularly. Old information can be
wrong information.
10. Remember, thieves like Sat-Navs! If it is detachable,
always take it out when you leave the car. People tend to
hide them in the car, so mounts or suction cap marks attract
thieves.
Autotrivia Quiz
WRC Subaru
Last week I mentioned that Honda has
pulled out of F1. I asked what other Japanese companies have
just pulled out of international level motor sport? The
answer was Subaru and Suzuki from the world rally
championship.
So to this week. What do you know about windscreens? Which
car came out with the first curved windscreen without a
central divider? Clue: think American and think in trouble.
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Electrifying 911
The electric performance car of 2008 is the
American Tesla, which goes from zero to 100 kays in four
seconds! That is true supercar performance. However, over in
der fatherland, German Porsche tuner Ruf has produced the
world’s first professionally built electric 911, modestly
known as the eRUF.
The electric 911 prototype replaces the flat six engine with
a brushless three-phase motor powered by lithium-ion
batteries. Although not as quick as a petrol-engined 911,
Ruf’s engineers say the eRUF is still good for a 0-100km/h
time of under seven seconds and has a top speed of 255km/h.
More importantly it’s claimed to have a maximum range of
nearly 320km.
The battery pack provides 317-volts and 480-amps and
consists of 96x 160Ah Axeon lithium-ion iron-phosphate
cells, each weighing 5.6 kg. Total weight of the pack is 550
kg. The pack is constantly monitored by a battery management
system from Axeon. Each individual cell is coupled with a
sensor that sends information on cell temperature and
voltage to the central control system. The cells, with a
nominal voltage of 3.3 V, have a lifespan of 3,000 charging
cycles. Pack capacity is 50.72 kWh which is around the same
capacity as the battery pack found in the Tesla Roadster but
at 318 kg the Tesla pack is 232 kg lighter than the eRUF
battery pack. In fact the complete Tesla weighs in at 1247
kg as opposed to the eRUF’s 1920 kg.
The eRUF prototype utilizes a 150 kW brushless three-phase
BLDC motor supplied by UQM in place of Porsche’s traditional
345 hp flat six. The electric motor makes around 650 Nm of
torque that, like other electric cars can be had immediately
from zero rpm. Unfortunately though, because of the weight
of the batteries, Ruf’s modifications push its weight up to
1920 kg versus a base 911 Carrera S weight of 1420 kg. The
eRUF remains rear wheel drive with the motor and the bulk of
the batteries positioned over and behind the car’s rear
axle. The eRUF also retains the standard six speed manual
gearbox which contributes to the car being overweight, no
doubt to be replaced with a lighter and more energy
efficient single speed transmission in the production
version.
