As with every generation before it, customers expect the new S-Class to set standards across the board to retain its accolade as “the best automobile in the world”.

In its first year the new S-Class line-up features two hybrid versions, a gasoline model and a diesel variant: S 400 HYBRID, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID.

Mercedes said all models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series. All the engines already meet the requirements of the Euro-6 emissions standard.

In addition to this, the S 400 HYBRID and S 350 BlueTEC meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A, while the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID even has an A+ rating.

“The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions figures that only a few years ago seemed utopian, even for executive cars,” says Prof. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “And this is just the start of our ‘Green Leadership’ initiative: soon to be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID – the first S-Class with a fuel consumption lower than four liters per 100 kilometers (58.80 mpg).”

The S-Class line-up therefore includes the full range from gasoline and diesel models to gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrids for the first time.

The S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is set to show the way aerodynamically with a cd figure of 0.23 thanks to additional aerodynamic optimization measures.

The first ever car without a single light bulb

100 years or so after the introduction of electric lighting in motor vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is now making a complete switch to LED technology – the new S-Class is the first vehicle in the world whose interior and exterior do without a single light bulb.

The lighting’s multi-level functionality is another world first: out of consideration for any road users behind, the intensity of the brake lights is reduced at night or while waiting at traffic lights. Almost 500 LEDs illuminate the road, the vehicle, the interior and the trunk.

Depending on equipment, these include:

•     Headlamps: each with up to 56 LEDs
•     Tail lights: each with up to 35 LEDs (plus 4 for the rear fog lamp)
•     Interior (including ambient lighting): approx. 300 LEDs

Visibility is enhanced by two assistance systems that have undergone some key improvements – Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus. Thanks to a new stereo camera and multistage radar sensors, the S-Class has 360-degree all-round vision and detects potential dangers on the road better.

The post New S-Class To Come In Many Hybrid Flavors, Including Plug-In appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Continental believes that direct-injection (DI) gasoline engines still offer significant further potential and is therefore continuing to press forward with the development of components and engine management concepts for this type of engine.

Meanwhile, the company also believes electric mobility must become more cost-efficient. The companies motto is “Electrification, tailored to fit.”

As Continental explained, today, internal combustion engines often continue running even in situations where this is not absolutely necessary in terms of maintaining propulsion.

In the interests of systematic optimization, the engine should ideally be shut down in such phases.

Continental believes such optimization could be significantly assisted by electrification.

“Continental is taking a pragmatic approach to hybridization,” said Xavier Pujol, Head of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit within the Powertrain Division. “Our approach starts with utilizing the full potential of 12V electrical networks. If more electrical power is required, a second – 48V – voltage level can be added. The Continental 48-volt system, incorporating a lithium-ion battery of cost-efficient size and with an energy rating of, say, 10 Ah, would be capable of supporting a wide range of mild hybrid functions without needing high-voltage capability and at a realistic market price. Such ‘tailored to fit electrification’ would allow carmakers to take a step-by-step approach.”

Unlike cost-intensive full hybrid systems, a 48-volt system does not require modification of the engine and transmission configuration. For Continental, this means it can be implemented cost-efficiently, for smaller vehicle models as well.

“More effective energy recovery with the 48V system, and intelligent operating strategies, allow significant savings to be achieved in everyday driving,” says Pujol, summing up the benefits for the driver.

Such operating strategies include “sailing” and “coasting.” In the so-called “sailing” mode, the vehicle can be kept at a constant speed using the 48-volt system’s electrical power, while in coasting mode, the vehicle freewheels or, for example, its kinetic energy is intelligently recovered as it coasts to a standstill.

Continental believes that in light of the above potential, 48-volt electrification in combination with an optimized DI gasoline engine will prove to be a particularly attractive configuration.

By simultaneously developing both of the above-mentioned “clean power” pathways – the internal combustion engine and electrification – Continental said it will be able to support the complete range of optimization strategies on the road to providing clean personal mobility in the year 2020 and beyond.

The post Continental Believes In Electrification Tailored To Fit appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Toyota said that while functioning as a hub for electric mobility sharing, the Smart Mobility Park can also generate and store electrical power, making it possible to reduce the burden on the electricity grid.

The station is based on the Toyota Smart Mobility Park concept unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and features two main aspects: Electric Mobility Sharing Hub; and Energy Management and Power Generation, Storage and Supply.

As Electric Mobility Sharing Hub, the station functions as a hub for electric mobility vehicle sharing for short distance travel and is planned for use as a Ha:mo Ride station starting this autumn.

Ha:mo Ride is an electric mobility sharing service for short distances such as the last few miles from the nearest public transportation point to a final destination.

Three “COMS” (produced by Toyota Auto Body) ultra-compact single-occupant electric vehicles (EVs), and five “PAS” (produced by Yamaha Motor) power-assisted bicycles have been set up for users to try out.

Vehicle rental is automated through the use of IC cards for authentication and vehicle unlocking, and test drives of the COMS and PAS are possible within Toyota Ecoful Town.

For the Energy Management and Power Generation, Storage and Supply function, the station is equipped with solar power generating and electricity storage functions so that it can charge vehicles using independently generated electricity or power-grid electricity.

It is also fitted with general household power outlets so that, in times of emergency, it can also supply stored electricity to electrical appliances.

Toyota said station monitor displays show electricity-related information such as generation and storage, power grid usage and vehicle charging status.  Values are measured minute-by-minute and energy is managed so that electricity stored during the night can be used to supplement insufficient power generation during the day.

Based on data gathered from households participating in Toyota City energy data management systems (EDMS) verification tests, TMC plans to work with regional EDMS to manage energy for charging stations and reduce the burden on regional power grids.

Since October 2012, TMC has been testing the urban transportation system Ha:mo in cooperation with Toyota City and transportation operators.  Four vehicle stations have been set up in Toyota City at Chukyo University and its nearest public transport points to provide 11 COMS and 10 PAS units for use in the Ha:mo Ride electric mobility sharing service.

This autumn, TMC plans to expand the service area to central Toyota City and provide a fee-based service using approximately 100 ultra-compact single-occupant EVs and 100 power-assisted bicycles at 20 stations for 1,000 members.

The post Toyota Installs Electric Mobility Sharing Station appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The lap was completed on Saturday April 27 with Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez at the wheel of the prototype Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S.

According to Aston Martin, it turned out to be a perfect test run ahead of a formal record-breaking attempt at the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring (N24), to be held next month.

Aston Martin engineers were using the four-hour ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN series race as a shake-down and test session ahead of the grueling 24 hour race next month.

The Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S will line-up next month alongside a field of some 200-plus GT cars.

Development of the hybrid system – created by technical partners Alset Global and pioneered by Aston Martin in the race – has exceeded the British company’s expectations, leading to the historic hydrogen-only lap of the infamous ‘green hell’ on Saturday afternoon.

“I am incredibly proud of the Aston Martin team, and our partners Alset Global,” said Dr. Bez. “We have written a little motorsport history with this qualifying lap as well as finishing the four hour race on hydrogen and, of course, it bodes extremely well for our participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in three weeks’ time. To have run full laps on hydrogen gas alone during the four-hour event is an exceptional ‘first’, and I now hope that we can stabilize the system and further improve the Rapide S so we can complete the 24-hour race on May 19 with many zero emission laps.”

When it competes next month the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S – based on Aston Martin’s new four-door, four-seat sports car – will become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international event as well as the first zero CO2 emissions sports car to complete a race pace lap at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

“This achievement should leave no one in any doubt that the system we have developed with Alset Global is a viable and exciting option for the future,” said David King, Director of Special Projects at Aston Martin and the man leading the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S project. “The creation of the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S was, for Aston Martin, another high profile way for us to mark our centenary in 2013, and to demonstrate our engineering capabilities in the most demanding environment of a major endurance race. This is the ultimate expression of our long term strategy of using the Nürburgring 24 hour race to publicly demonstrate the abilities of our cars and our people.”

The car will compete next month in an experimental class (E1- XP) having passed rigorous technical and safety assessments by the German motorsport authority, the DMSB, to be granted approval to race.

Aston Martin believes the hybrid car will be able to complete full laps with zero CO2 emissions and will be refueled after each stint with 3.5 kilograms (7.7  pounds) of hydrogen as well as gasoline.

Working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston Martin’s engineers have developed a prototype twin turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine that powers the Nürburgring car.

Capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both, the Hybrid Hydrogen race car is said to showcase Aston Martin’s commitment to engineering innovation. In pure hydrogen mode the car emits virtually only water from the exhaust.

The Hybrid Hydrogen system comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system.

The system includes four ultra-high strength carbon fiber tanks holding a total of 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds) of hydrogen stored at a pressure of 350bar.

The race car is based on the new 550 horsepower Rapide S four-door sports car arriving at Aston Martin showrooms across the Americas in the coming weeks.

The post Hydrogen-Hybrid Aston Martin Aces Shakedown Run appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Areas of work being focused on by Volkswagen include the development of a high-performance diesel engine delivering 100 kilowatts per liter of displacement and a new 10-speed dual clutch gearbox that reduces fuel consumption.

Professor Winterkorn said that among the alternative drive systems plug-in hybrids in particular offer great potential.

Winterkorn stressed that over the medium and long-term different drive system technologies would exist side by side. These would range from highly efficient internal combustion engines and natural gas systems all the way to hybrids and electric vehicles.

On this basis the Volkswagen Group is working towards its declared objective of lowering the European new car fleet’s CO2 emission level to 95 gram of CO2/kilometer by 2020.

Winterkorn emphasized that existing internal combustion engines still offer a lot of potential.

“Since the year 2000, we’ve reduced the fuel consumption of our TDI and TSI engines by more than 30 per cent,” said Winterkorn. “I’m convinced that by 2020 we can achieve further increases in efficiency of around 15 per cent.”

Factors making this possible, he said, would include enhancement of the combustion process, intelligent lightweight design, innovative operating strategies and optimization of friction levels and thermal management.

Volkswagen also sees great potential for natural gas drive systems.

“The gas engine is environmentally friendly, economical and suitable for everyday use,” continued Winterkorn. “The technology is fully developed and the vehicles are already on the market.”

Volkswagen stated the best example is the new eco-up! – at 79 gram of CO2/kilometer the world’s most economical natural gas car.

The Volkswagen Group will be systematically rolling out natural gas technology with the Golf TGI BlueMotion and the Audi A3 g-tron.

“We need to make the public even more aware of the benefits of natural gas engines,” said Winterkorn. “Everyone needs to play their part in this: carmakers, politicians and the fuel industry.”

The variety of drive system technologies is growing: the group-wide Volkswagen modular component system and its flexible architecture enable every kind of drive system to be integrated quickly into the new models.

“Over the coming years we will electrify all vehicle classes in this way and help electrically powered motoring to make the breakthrough,” added Winterkorn.

Winterkorn stated that in the medium term the first choice in terms of alternative drive systems is plug-in hybrid technology. This technology enables a purely electric range of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles), a high level of suitability for everyday use by virtue of recharging from a socket at home and also complete flexibility for long journeys thanks to an efficient internal combustion engine.

The Volkswagen Group’s first plug-in hybrids, the Porsche Panamera and Audi A3 e-tron, will shortly be going into full production. They will be followed by the Golf and many other models, such as the Passat, Audi A6 and Porsche Cayenne.

Volkswagen also presented at the symposium new technologies that are finding their way into the modular diesel component system’s future engine generation. These high-performance diesel engines achieve peak power output of 100 kilowatt per liter of displacement and have a variable valve-train assembly, a high-pressure injection system at up to 3,000 bar and combined charging with the innovative e-booster.

The post Future Drive Technology Highlighted By VW appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The challenge runs through July 24, 2013. Later this summer a panel of judges will evaluate the submissions and award $50,000 in cash prizes for the best apps, with $25,000 going to the overall winner.

The Personalized Fuel Efficiency App Challenge was announced last month at the New York International Auto Show by Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. Ford’s goal with this app challenge is to provide drivers with tools that show how they are using fuel and where they can save.

“We’re really excited to see just what consumers and developers come back to us with on sharing and understanding their own fuel economy performance,” said Farley. “The aim of the challenge is to empower drivers with the information they need to drive smarter and to find ways to share that information in order to help others understand what fuel economy they can expect in various driving situations.”

Anyone can participate and have a look at the submissions at http://ford.challengepost.com/.

“We see the car as a platform on which others can create and build solutions tailored to individual needs,” said Venkatesh Prasad, Ford senior technical leader for open innovation. “OpenXC puts Ford at the leading edge of taking it to the next level by providing developers and drivers with easy access to the data they need to make smart decisions.”

Ford said developers can use the open-source OpenXC hardware and software development kit to read a wide array of real-time vehicle data and pull these into either mobile or Web-based apps. The apps can then be used to inform drivers with coaching for more fuel efficient driving, route comparisons to help identify the most efficient path to a destination or help in finding available parking.

App submissions will be evaluated on three primary criteria – viability, user interface design and vehicle data.

• Viability: Since the goal of the challenge is to help drivers better understand their personal fuel consumption, making the app as easy to use as possible is critical to success. Automated data capture and analysis that minimizes the need for driver self-reporting will make apps more viable
• User interface: Whether on a smartphone or in a desktop browser, user interfaces that present tangible information the driver can actually use and act upon are preferable to basic data visualization
• Vehicle data: Developers will get higher marks for innovative employment of vehicle data, including fusion of multiple data types into meaningful signals, that can help the driver use less fuel

Ford has designed the challenge to be open to individuals, teams and organizations of up to 50 people. Larger organizations can also enter for the chance to get recognition awards, but those entries will not be eligible for cash prizes.

The expert panel will consist of five to seven judges with members from inside and outside of Ford.

Developers must submit either a working Android app or a link to a Web app, along with screenshots and a video demonstrating the working app.

“We’re excited to see what hobbyists and software developers will create with Ford’s OpenXC API,” said Brandon Kessler, CEO of ChallengePost, the online platform powering the competition. “Running on a combination of the Arduino and Android platforms, OpenXC taps into an ever-growing community of creative hardware and software hackers and opens up thousands of possibilities for vehicle-aware apps.”

Ford said anyone with an idea they would like to see implemented into an app can be a part of the challenge even if they can’t write a single line of code.

Anyone can submit app ideas to http://Ideas.Ford.ChallengePost.com for a chance to win $100 said Ford. All visitors to http://ford.challengepost.com/ can create a free account and vote for their favorite submissions. The entry that gets the most votes wins the popular choice award and $1,000 in cash.

The post It’s Fuel-Saving App Time At Ford appeared first on HybridCars.com.

This means that when compared to the average new vehicle, the Spark EV can potentially save its owners up to $9,000 in fuel cost over five years.

The Spark EV goes on sale this summer in California and Oregon.

“Being able to provide our customers with the best overall efficiency of any retail EV has always been a key target for the Spark EV engineering team,” said Pam Fletcher, GM executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles. “We’re poised to deliver to the market an EV that’s not just efficient, but also thrilling to drive thanks to the 400 pound-feet torque output of its electric motor.

The company said the Spark EV’s 21 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack will continue Chevrolet’s tradition of offering industry-leading limited warranty protection – eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The Spark EV will be the first vehicle on the market to offer as an available option the recently approved SAE combo charger for DC Fast Charging. The capability, available shortly after launch, will enable the Spark EV to recharge up to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes.

According to Chevrolet, the battery system is capable of handling multiple DC Fast Charges daily.

Charging can also be completed in less than seven hours using a dedicated 240V charge. A 120V charge cord set comes standard.

Charging of the Spark EV can be managed and monitored remotely using the Spark EV’s smart phone application, provided by OnStar, which is standard for three years.

“The Chevrolet Spark EV is a great city car which blends technology, functionality and style in an unexpected package” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet small and electrified vehicle marketing. “We built on the success of the Volt and the gas-powered Spark to offer an affordable, fun and efficient mini car our customers will love to drive.”

Chevrolet also said the Spark EV will set an acceleration benchmark for an urban city electric vehicle – 0-60 mph in under eight seconds due to the mating of a permanent magnet electric motor, which produces more than 100 kilowatt (130 horsepower), with the coaxial drive unit.

The GM designed oil-cooled, permanent magnet motor is the heart of the Spark EV’s propulsion system.

Per General Motors, putting more than half a million road miles on development versions of the Spark EV enabled engineers to make the performance of the electric motor the best it could be by using a bar wound copper stator and unique rotor configuration.

The motor and drive unit are assembled at GM’s Baltimore operations plant in White Marsh, Md.

Last week, the plant celebrated the Spark EV motor production in Baltimore, marking the first time a major U.S. auto manufacturer has designed and built both a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States.

The post It’s Official: Spark EV Rated At 119 MPGe appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The concept race car will make its inaugural appearance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the American Le Mans Monterey race weekend May 9 to 11.

The open-top DeltaWing premiered in 2012 at two races – the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in October, where it finished in fifth place overall.

The race car appears this year wearing new colors.

This year, the DeltaWing has made some improvements that the race team believes will allow it to be a leading contender in the series top class, P1. The car now features an Élan 1.9-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine, new tire partner, Bridgestone, and is piloted by drivers Andy Meyrick (Cheshire, England) and Olivier Pla (Toulouse, France).

“When you consider the performance of this car, it is the performance of a hybrid, but it doesn’t need batteries and an electric motor,” said Don Panoz, managing partner, DeltaWing Racing Cars and the founder of the ALMS. “It’s all based on aerodynamics. It’s certainly very green; it’s half the weight, half the fuel, half the tire wear, half the horsepower yet the same performance.”

The main race of the weekend, in which the DeltaWing will compete, is scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m.. The race will last four hours and will take drivers from daylight into dusk.

“It will be a real treat for fans to see this radically-designed vehicle attack such a technical track,” said Gill Campbell, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca CEO/general manager. “I think The Corkscrew turn will prove to be a very interesting test for the DeltaWing.”

The post Newly Motorized DeltaWing Ready To Race appeared first on HybridCars.com.

“Gas prices remain volatile, so as shoppers consider more fuel-efficient options, they should know how effectively hybrids deliver gas mileage for their dollar—if they do at all,” said Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com’s executive editor. “Simply because a hybrid gets great gas mileage doesn’t necessarily mean you save money in the long run, because that same hybrid often comes with a higher price tag. To determine if the added expense is worth the cash, we analyzed overall cost compared to the car’s efficiency.”

The Web site said that to help green-car shoppers get the most bang for their buck, Cars.com’s experts looked at each car’s average fuel economy and base sticker price.

“A high mpg rating and low price provide a high efficiency-cost rating,” said Wiesenfelder. “The goal of this is to get the best fuel economy for the least amount of money.”

The list of Best hybrids for the money according to the Cars.com editors is:

“Hybrids come in all shapes and sizes these days,” said Wiesenfelder. “Many people think that a hybrid won’t accommodate their lifestyle because they assume all hybrids are small like the Prius or Insight, but our list helps shoppers looking for a cost effective, efficient car in just about every size and category that can meet the needs of any car shoppers.”

Cars.com

The post Best Hybrids For The Money appeared first on HybridCars.com.

These new transmissions will be used in cars, crossovers, SUVs and trucks.

This news follows the recent launch of the ZF nine-speed transmission in the Land Rover Evoque.

The new joint Ford/GM transmissions, to be built in both front- and rear-wheel drive variants, are expected to contribute to improving vehicle performance and increase fuel economy.

The collaboration enables both automakers to design, develop, engineer, test, validate and deliver these new transmissions for their vehicles faster and at lower cost than if each company worked independently.

“Engineering teams from GM and Ford have already started initial design work on these new transmissions,” said Jim Lanzon, GM vice president of global transmission engineering. “We expect these new transmissions to raise the standard of technology, performance and quality for our customers while helping drive fuel economy improvements into both companies’ future product portfolios.”

This is the third time in the past decade that GM and Ford have collaborated on transmissions.

These efforts have enabled both companies together to deliver more than 8 million 6-speed front-wheel drive transmissions (GM version pictured).

Ford installs these 6-speed transmissions in vehicles, such as the Ford Fusion family sedan, the Edge crossover and the Escape and Explorer SUVs, while GM installs them into products like the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Cruze.

Both companies said these original collaborations served as a template for the new one. As before, each company will manufacture its own transmissions in its own plants with many common components.

“The goal is to keep hardware identical in the Ford and GM transmissions. This will maximize parts commonality and give both companies economy of scale,” said Craig Renneker, Ford’s Chief Engineer, Transmission & Driveline Component & Pre-Program Engineering. “However, we will each use our own control software to ensure that each transmission is carefully matched to the individual brand-specific vehicle DNA for each company.”

Further technical details and vehicle applications for these transmissions will be released by each company at the appropriate time before launch.

“With the jointly developed six-speed automatics we have in production today, we’ve already proven that Ford and GM transmission engineers work extremely well together,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of Powertrain engineering. “Our 6F family of transmissions has exceeded expectations and there is every reason to believe we will have the same success with these all new transmissions.”

The post Ford And GM To Work On Shared 9 And 10 Speed Transmissions appeared first on HybridCars.com.