Mercedes-Benz launches B-Class F-Cell, leases to begin in early 2010

Mercedes-Benz F-Cell - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in April, Mercedes-Benz announced via a short little blurb on a larger press release that it planned to begin small-scale series production of a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobile called the F-Cell. According to the German automaker, the car is just about ready to launch, with 200 vehicles slated to be leased throughout the United States and Europe early next year.

The front-wheel drive F-Cell is based on Mercedes-Benz's B-Class platform and uses a 100 kW electric motor that puts out an impressive 214 lb-ft of torque. MB claims this powertrain will offer comparable performance to a 2.0-liter gas-powered automobile (the run to 60 will take under 11 seconds) while returning the equivalent of 86.6 mpg on the European combined cycle.

Sandwiched under the car's floor will be a 1.4 kWh lithium ion battery that recaptures energy normally lost to braking. We'd also figure that battery pack will provide an even flow of electrons to the motor while the fuel cell hums away silently. Range is quoted at around 250 miles and Mercedes claims a hydrogen recharge time of just three minutes. Expect more details on the car to emerge at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

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[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

PRESS RELEASE:

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new B‑Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has better a performance similar to than a 2,0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Production of the B‑Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with a small lot. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.

The new fuel cell vehicle offers everything that people expect from a Mercedes-Benz: High comfort and safety as well as no reduction in interior space and boot capacity. Customers will not have to sacrifice any driving pleasure either, because the electric motor has a peak performance of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, which is available from the first rotation. It ensures that the B‑Class F-CELL, whose impressive dynamic handling properties are in some cases far better than those of a two-litre petrol car, gets off to an excellent start. Despite these qualities, the zero-emission fuel cell drive consumes the equivalent of only 3.3 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC). Thanks to its great range of about 400 kilometres and short refuelling times of around three minutes, the B‑Class F-CELL ensures local zero-emission mobility even for long stretches.

"2009 is the year in which we are establishing further milestones where sustainable mobility is concerned. The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world's first fuel cell powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions", says Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The vehicle's technological heart is the new generation of the compact, high-performance fuel cell system, in which gaseous hydrogen reacts with atmospheric oxygen at 700 bar to generate a current for the electric motor. The fuel cell system of the B‑Class F-CELL has a very good cold-start capability even at temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The drive system was completely newly developed versus the F-CELL A-Class presented in 2004, with Mercedes-Benz engineers achieving considerable improvements in output, torque, operating range, reliability, starting characteristics and comfort. The B-Class F-CELL now offers driving pleasure and day-to-day suitability at Mercedes level – without local emissions.

As in hybrids with combustion engines, the fuel-cell car uses a lithium-ion battery with an output of 35 kW and a capacity of 1.4 kWh to boost power and recover braking energy. Lithium-ion technology offers several advantages over conventional batteries, including compact dimensions, high performance, great recharge efficiency and a long service life.

The B‑Class F-CELL employs the unique sandwich floor architecture that is well-known from the A- and B-Class. The advantage of this design is that the drive components are located in the sandwich floor, where they are protected and don't take up much space so that the vehicle's interior remains fully usable and a boot capacity of 416 litres is available.

The B-Class F-CELL does not need to fear comparison where equipment is concerned either. Eye-catching features include a bonamite silver paint finish and exclusive light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design. In the interior, leather upholstery, seat heating, automatic climate control and the COMAND-system, as well as other features, continue to ensure a high level of comfort.

Same level of safety as in other Mercedes cars

No matter what the conditions, the operational reliability of the B‑Class F-CELL is of the same high level as in Mercedes vehicles with conventional combustion engines. The B‑Class F-CELL's integrated safety concept takes the specific characteristics of the innovative drive system into account. The concept incorporates the expertise from the many years of experience Mercedes-Benz has had with fuel cell drives and high-voltage applications. Mercedes engineers have tested and optimised the drive-specific components' safety in more than 30 additional crash tests.

Network of filling stations required for car's widespread use

With more than 100 test vehicles and a combined total of over 4.5 million kilometres of trial testing, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz have the most extensive experience with fuel cell vehicles of any manufacturer worldwide. The B‑Class F-CELL is further testimony of this technology's high level of development for automotive use. However, a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations still has to be set up before locally zero-emission driving can become a widespread reality. To make this possible, Daimler is cooperating with government authorities, energy utilities and oil companies in joint projects in places such as Hamburg, Stuttgart and California.

Mercedes-Benz views the development of electric cars with battery and fuel cell drives for local zero-emission driving as a means of supplementing vehicles with high-tech internal combustion engines. Advanced diesel and petrol engines will remain important for automotive applications for a long time to come - not only for individual mobility in passenger cars - especially over long distances - but, more importantly, for freight transport in trucks. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, will increasingly be used in urban transport.

Mercedes-Benz B‑Class F-Cell technical data

Drive

Electric motor with fuel cell
Rated output (kW/hp) 100/136
Rated torque (Nm) 290
Maximum speed (km/h) 170
Consumption (NEDC) (l of diesel equivalent/100 km) 3.3
Total CO2 (g/km min.–max.) 0.0
Range (km) NEDC 385
Capacity of lithium-ion battery (kWh/kW) 1.4/35
Cold-start capability: to -25 °C

BRABUS Tuned-Up the New Mercedes-Benz C-Class

BRABUS, the Dusseldorf, Germany-based high-performance tuning company for Mercedes-Benz and Maybach vehicle models has created a new exclusive sport tuning program for the newly launched Mercedes-Benz C-Class entry level luxury sedan. This will add up to the BRABUS product lineup of tuned up Mercedes models.

The BRABUS C-Class comes with a wide range of BRABUS exterior performance parts to enhance the sporty appearance and driving dynamics of the vehicle. These include
sporty styled BRABUS front spoiler, three-piece aerodynamic rear spoiler, improved air inlets, and BRABUS style rocker panels that creates an aerodynamic change between the front and rear wheel arches. The BRABUS engineering and design team placed the C-Class in a wind tunnel test to develop these high-quality aerodynamic parts. Other exterior highlights of the BRABUS C-Class include auxiliary active safety headlights, LED entrance lights, Mercedes fog light, stainless-steel quad sport exhaust systems, custom-tailored carbon-fiber covers on the outside mirrors, and new BRABUS rear apron. A bunch of available custom-tailored BRABUS tire and wheel packages is included ranging from 17, 18, 19 and 20-inch light alloy wheels, along with performance tires 235/30 ZR 20 on the front and 265/25 ZR 20 at the rear.

Moving on the inside, BRABUS included some exclusive hand crafted interior trims including the soft BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara leather, stainless-steel door sills with illuminated BRABUS logo, and other precious-wood and carbon-fiber trim sets. The ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and aluminum foot pedals offers an excellent driving atmosphere.

The key feature of BRABUS C-Class is the wide range of engine types offered by the German high-performance tuner. For the new Mercedes-Benz C 280 and C 350 sedans, BRABUS offers a 4.0-liter engine equipped with four-valve cylinder heads and special camshafts. The engine pumps out 332 hp (244 kW) and produces 310 lb.-ft. (420 Nm) amount of peak torque rotating at 4,200 rpm. This engine allows the BRABUS C-Class to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph.

The BRABUS PowerXtra performance kits also include the other engine types for the C-Class CDI models. These include D2 (III) kit that increases power output of the C 200 CDI by 39 hp / 28.7 hp and produces 284 lb.-ft. (385 Nm) of peak torque; D3 (III) kit with 195 hp (143 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of peak torque; and the D6 (III) power kit that provides additional output of 48 hp and produces 435 lb-ft (590 Nm) of peak torque.

Brabus Mercedes E-Class Coupe 2010

Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe just went on sale and Brabus already presents an extensive tuning program for the new two-door. The pinnacle of the available performance tuning is the Brabus 6.1 displacement engine. It has a rated power output of 462 hp (456 bhp) / 340 kW and propels the E 500 (US: E550) to an impressive top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). Also on offer is an aerodynamic-enhancement program that was developed in the wind tunnel. Further highlights are custom-tailored wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, sporty yet comfortable suspension solutions and exclusive interior options.

A rated power output of 462 hp (456 bhp) / 340 kW and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at just 3,100 rpm are the result of the displacement increase of the four-valve V8 engine from 5.5 to 6.1 liters. 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph): The Brabus 6.1 displacement engine turns the E 500 Coupe into a true high-performance automobile.

The displacement increase of the eight-cylinder engine sells for 29,000 Euros. It is facilitated by the installation of a billet crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons. Furthermore the four-valve cylinder heads are precision-machined and fitted with custom camshafts. The Brabus sport exhaust system with high-performance metal catalysts also contributes to the impressive power output as do specially programmed engine electronics.

More driving fun with the turbodiesel models is available with the Brabus ECO PowerXtra kits. For the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Brabus offers its D4 tuning kit. For just 1,390 Euros power output of the common-rail four-cylinder engine jumps from standard 204 hp (201 bhp) / 150 kW to 235 hp (232 bhp) / 173 kW. Peak torque grows to 560 Nm (413 lb-ft).

The V6 turbodiesel engine of the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with Brabus ECO PowerXtra D6 (III) module produces 272 hp (268 bhp) / 200 kW and a peak torque of 590 Nm (435 lb-ft).

All engines are lubricated with ARAL high-performance motor oil and like all Brabus components they are backed by the one-of-a-kind Brabus Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers or 62,000 miles (see Brabus warranty conditions as of November 2006).

Stainless-steel Brabus quad sport exhaust systems are available for all new Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.

The Brabus designers have also developed a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement package for the two-door E-Class. It is manufactured from Pur-R-Rim in OEM quality. The Brabus front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights gives the coupe an even more striking face and reduces aerodynamic lift on the front axle at high speeds.

Brabus adds sporty highlights to the sides with new aluminum front sport quarter panels with integrated clear-coated carbon-fiber inserts. New rocker panels visually give the coupe a lower and sleeker stance. They feature LED entrance lights integrated into their undersides. Customers can also choose a version with integrated illuminated Brabus logo.

The Brabus rear apron features a centrally mounted reflector and custom-tailored cutouts on either side for the four tailpipes of the Brabus sport exhaust system.

The exclusive Brabus appearance is rounded out by one-piece or multi-piece Brabus Monoblock light-alloy wheels with diameters of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest tire/wheel combination features Brabus Monoblock VI, E, Q or S wheels in size 9Jx20 on the front axle and in size 9.5Jx20 in back. High-performance tires from Brabus technology partners Pirelli and YOKOHAMA are mounted in size 235/30 ZR 20 in front and in size 265/25 ZR 20 on the rear axle.

The available Brabus suspension solutions offer sporty handling combined with excellent ride comfort. They were custom-developed for the various engines available in the new E-Class. The list of options starts with lowering springs and culminates in a complete height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension.

Brabus also offers a high-performance brake system for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. It features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 360-mm (14.2 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle. The rear axle stops with four-piston aluminum fixed calipers.

Brabus will customize the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe to customers' specifications. The list of interior options includes stainless-steel scuff plated with illuminated Brabus logo, an ergonomically shaped Brabus sport steering wheel and an entirely new interior crafted from especially soft yet durable Brabus Mastik leather and Alcantara.

Facts you need to know about Brabus Mercedes

Rejuvenated by a substantial model update the fifth generation of the Mercedes SL now starts yet another chapter in the unparalleled success story of the popular Mercedes roadster. The corresponding exclusive sport program comes from BRABUS. Powerful increased-displacement engines with up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power, a striking designer suit, high-quality light-alloy wheels with diameters of up to 20 inches, professional suspension tuning and custom interior design: The BRABUS program leaves nothing to be desired.

The top-of-the-heap BRABUS power source for the SL 600 is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine, developed originally for the BRABUS ROCKET, the world’s fastest sedan. 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power and a whopping peak torque of 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft), electronically limited in the car to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft), are the result of numerous modifications. During the displacement increase from 5.5 to 6.3 liters the engine’s interior is completely reworked. In addition the engine is fitted with a more efficient turbocharging system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts. Power is transferred via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a special BRABUS limited-slip differential that is available for all SL models.

A sprint time of 4.0 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 10.5 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph) and – depending on final drive ratio and tire speed rating – an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (219 mph) make the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo roadster one of the world’s fastest sports cars.

BRABUS tuning is also available for the SL 65: The BRABUS T 12 S performance kit increases power output by 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) / 29.4 kW. The BRABUS T 65 S power kit bumps power output to 715 hp (705 hp SAE net) / 526 kW and peak torque to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

The SL 63 AMG also receives some added power with BRABUS B63 S tuning. Sport air filter, high-performance metal catalysts and newly programmed engine electronics add 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) 29.5 kW to the power output of the fast-revving V8 engine, and increase top speed to 320 km/h (200 mph).

The four-valve-V8 engine of the SL 500 (US: SL550) with BRABUS 6.1 S displacement increase produces 462 hp (456 hp SAE net) / 340 kW of power at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at 3,100 rpm. The BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine with 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW of power and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque is available for the V6 four-valve engines of the SL 280 and SL 350.

The stainless-steel BRABUS sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is a must for all BRABUS high-performance engines. But it is also the answer for all SL owners wishing for a sportier exhaust note and for a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater.

To add sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the new Mercedes SL series, the BRABUS designers went into the wind tunnel to develop a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement kit.

The front of the SL receives some added pizzazz with the BRABUS front apron that replaces the production bumper. It features LED daytime running lights as well as auxiliary high beams and fog lamps, and reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds.

The elegantly shaped BRABUS rocker panels each have three entrance lights integrated into their underside. The lights are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on an inside door handle. The LED lights illuminate the ground on either side of the vehicle and help avoid unfortunate missteps into puddles or holes in the dark.

The BRABUS design package for the latest SL-class is rounded out by a rear component that integrates environmental lighting, a centrally mounted rear reflector and two cutouts for the sport exhaust system.

Just as important for a customized look are one-piece and multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest possible tire/wheel combination on the new SL features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S wheels in size 9Jx20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires. The rear axle rolls on size 10.5Jx20 wheels with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires. BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.

To further improve the already potent handling capabilities of the new Mercedes SL, BRABUS has developed special suspension solutions. For the SL 280 and 350 models with conventional suspension BRABUS offers its sport springs. For all SL models with ABC active suspension BRABUS has developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by some 25 millimeters. Sport sway bars reduce body roll.

BRABUS high-performance brake systems for the SL-Class are available in four different versions. The largest one features vented and cross-drilled front discs measuring 375 x 36 mm (14.8 x 1.4 inches), and 12-piston fixed calipers. The rear discs measure 355 x 28 mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and come with six-piston fixed calipers.

BRABUS also customizes the interior of the two-seater by upping the level of luxury. The list of products includes scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS-logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and an exclusive BRABUS custom interior crafted from an exquisite combination of especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara.