Mercedes reveals plug-in, fuel-cell concept cars
Blue-Zero E-Cell series unveiled
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'Leccy Tech Mercedes will unveil three electric concept cars at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes will show the Blue-Zero E-Cell, which is powered solely by a lithium-ion battery pack, as well as two other variations on the 'leccy car theme.
The Blue-Zero E-Cell Plus is a plug-in petrol hybrid like the Chevy Volt. It uses the three-cylinder turbo found in the Smart ForTwo. A second concept, the Blue-Zero F-Cell, has an on-board hydrogen fuel cell.
Mercedes' Blue-Zero E-Cell: Battery, fuel-cell and hybrid variants
The E-Cell can apparently cover 125 miles on a full plug-in charge, while the F-Cell can go twice as far using its 90kW fuel cell.
The E-Cell Plus has a maximum range of 375 miles, with its petrol engine able to power the wheels directly as well as through the battery and generator. On battery power alone, the E-Cell Plus can only manage around 60 miles.
All three should make the 0-60mph sprint in around 11 seconds.
The images are the strongest indication yet of what the next-generation Mercedes A- and B-class cars may look like.
The Detroit Motor Show opens on 11 January 2009.
Mercedes Blue-Zero E-Cell Plus Picture Gallery
COMMENTS
@James
Wow!! What a wonderful idea!!!
Run an extension cable to my car, that's parked anything up to 100yds from my house, for anyone to steal my electricity!!! Now why didn't I think of that?
Even if the recharge plug is locked in some way, still not the brightest idea in the world. Epic fail, James. Of course, you could have just been sarcastic in your comment...
Paris, because even she's not *that* dumb.
cyclists?
leccy tec cars are just another way of knocking cyclists off bikes, except NOW, they accelerate faster from stop at junctions, and they're quieter. (At least they still have wing-mirrors)
Are they exempt from the proposed work parking levy???
Mine's the hi-vis yellow one.
@James
"Also an added benefit is that it will help rid the world of more stupid people who will pick up the cable and bit it (or so I hope)"
I doubt it, make something idiot-proof and Nature will invent a better idiot. The only you might rid the world of are small children, followed closely by yourself when their parents catch up with you.
The economics are such that a "full charge" will be like a "full tank of petrol", and when petrol was £1.25 a litre earlier this year we had a rush of stories in the press about idiots emptying your tank in the night. If you leave electric cables out at night, someone *will* steal your supply. You'll wake up in the morning with a flat car battery and an inflated electricity bill.
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