Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[Merc1]

Now that the GLE is out, I think we can look forward to the A35 models. Paris should be a great show. Maybe the A45 sedan in L.A. in November?

M

 

[EnI]

What more do they have in the pipeline for the near future??
Quoted this from the GLE thread btw.

In the next 6 months or so? GLS, GLE Coupe, GLA, GLB, B-class ...

 

[Heisenberg]

Mercedes EQ S to be flagship in £9bn electric model blitz
Luxury EV saloon will top electrified Mercedes line-up of more than 130 derivatives

Mercedes-Benz bosses have approved a €10 billion (£9bn) programme to launch more than 130 electrified variants within the next seven years, spearheaded by the upcoming EQ S luxury saloon.

The plan – which involves an extended range of mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery EVs and hydrogen- fuelled models – was tabled at a recent board meeting of Mercedes’ parent company Daimler and received the backing of chairman Dieter Zetsche.


The goal of the massive project is to give Mercedes an unparalleled range of premium electrified models, which will help to significantly reduce the company’s average fleet emissions ahead of a series of increasingly strict EU CO2 emission regulations starting from 2021.

The model assault will be split across the firm’s three electrified brands: the pure-electric EQ range, mild-hybrid EQ Boost, and EQ Power plug-in hybrids.

New Mercedes-Benz EQ C: all-electric SUV revealed

Mercedes has already confirmed the first three models in the full-electric EQ range. It will begin with the recently unveiled EQ C SUV. This will be followed by a production version of the EQ A hatchback concept seen at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

Those two models will then be joined in 2020 by the upmarket EQ S, which was spotted testing in early prototype guise at Mercedes’ engineering HQ in Stuttgart, Germany, recently. As its name suggests, the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan rival will offer a similar level of luxury, comfort and features to the traditional S-Class saloon.

Whereas the EQ C and EQ A are based on modified GLC and A-Class platforms – known internally as MEA1 and MEA1.5 – respectively, the EQ S will use a dedicated EV platform.

Named MEA2, the new platform makes heavy use of aluminium and is designed with a fully flat floor, as is common with many EV-only designs. This has allowed Mercedes to give the EQ S different proportions from the E-Class and S-Class, between which it will sit in size.

The EQ S will be a similar size to the current CLS. It will feature a shorter bonnet and ultra-short overhangs, which, company insiders say, contribute to “a whole new dimension in interior packaging”.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ S to battle Porsche Taycan and next Jaguar XJ

The spy shots also show that the EQ S has a heavily raked windscreen compared with the C-Class, which combined with the shorter overhangs should give the model greater interior space. The roofline echoesthe design of the latest CLS, although secrecy surrounds the rear of the new model, which was completely hidden on the prototype cars.

The EQ S is expected to be powered by twin electric motors – one on each axle – giving permanent four-wheel drive. A similar set-up in the EQ C delivers 402bhp and 564lb ft of torque.

Although the production version of the EQ C has now been revealed, deliveries of the first fully-electric Mercedes are not expected to begin until June 2019. The SUV has a kerb weight of 2425kg and it will initially feature an 80kWh lithium ion battery – around 10kWh less than the battery in the Jaguar I-Pace.

The EQ C will be built at Mercedes’ factory in Bremen, Germany, while models for the Chinese market will be made at the factory owned by the joint venture between the firm and its Chinese partner Beijing Automotive in Beijing, China, in 2020. The EQ S is set to be built at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen factory in Stuttgart.

Although these are the only three EQ models confirmed to be going on sale by 2022, the firm has committed to 10 pure EVs in the longer term. According to well-placed sources within Mercedes, the second wave of EQ models is currently in the conceptual stages of design.



Mercedes-Benz set to release four EVs by 2020

These include a compact four-door Tesla Model 3 rival based around the recently unveiled A-Class saloon, a compact SUV similar in size to the GLB due in 2019 and a flagship electric sports car from the Mercedes-AMG performance division.

Although none of the next wave of EQ models has advanced to committed project status yet, Autocar has been told that Mercedes is proceeding with plans to launch all of them by the end of the second stage of its electrification plan in 2025.

The final component in the currently planned EQ product range is the GLC Fuel Cell, which will be offered on a limited lease basis later this year. It is based around the standard GLC and uses a fuel cell stack, hydrogen tank, lithium ion battery and plug-in charging for a zero-emission range of about 310 miles.

The EQ nameplate will also be used for Mercedes city car sub-brand Smart’s pure-electric Fortwo EQ Electric Drive, Fortwo cabrio EQ Electric Drive and Forfour EQ Electric Drive. All three of these models are due to receive a facelift in 2019, including larger batteries to extend their range.

While the dedicated EQ models will offer the biggest reduction in fleet average emissions, the board has also approved a broad-based hybridisation strategy that will include “well over 100” variants by the end of 2022. Under the plan, existing models will be offered with the choice of mild-hybrid EQ Boost or plug-in hybrid EQ Power drivetrains.

Mercedes has already launched a limited number of new-generation mild-hybrid EQ Boost models. Each features a 48V electrical system and integrated starter motor capable of providing electrical boosting qualities under acceleration. Such systems are available on models that include the E-Class and CLS.

Difficulties in sourcing lithium ion batteries for the new-generation plug-in hybrid, due to production bottlenecks at Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive, has held back the introduction of EQ Power models. Initially revealed at the Geneva motor show in March and set for launch this year, the C300e, C300de, E300e and E300de EQ Power plug-in hybrids are now not planned to reach UK dealers until 2019.

Following these new plug-in hybrids into Mercedes showrooms next year will be the A250e 4Matic and B250e 4Matic EQ Power.

Both use a fourth-generation hybrid system in which the electric motor sits within the rear axle and provides drive exclusively to the rear wheels. As in standard A-Class and B-Class models, though, the front wheels are powered by a combustion engine, in the form of the Renault-sourced 1.3-litre four-cylinder used in the A200.

Another model included in the EQ Power line-up is AMG’s upcoming 1000bhp-plus Project One hypercar. Despite being revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show alongside the EQ A hatchback concept, it is not planned for UK delivery until 2019.

Mercedes’ split electrification strategy and brands can also be seen in its current motorsport programmes. Its 2018 Formula 1 car, in which Lewis Hamilton is leading the championship, is officially titled the W09 EQ Power+ to reflect its hybrid powertrain. It will also run a works squad – labelled the Mercedes-Benz EQ Team – in the all-electric Formula E from the 2019/2020 season onwards.

What the Mercedes EQ C will have to beat:



Tesla Model X, On sale: now:

This large SUV can’t match traditionally powered rivals for ride and build quality but impresses for its cleverness, pace and interior space. Tesla is developing a Model Y small SUV.

Jaguar I-Pace, On sale: now:

Jaguar’s first EV has beaten the Tesla Model S in an Autocar twin test. It’s both an excellent EV and one of the best Jaguars in years. The I-Pace features 394bhp and a 90kWh lithium ion battery.

Audi E-tron, On sale: 2019:

The E-tron had been due to launch this month but ‘organisational issues’ have delayed it until mid-September. It’s built on the VW Group’s MLB platform and should have a 248-mile range.

BMW iX3, On sale: 2020:

Shown in concept form at the Beijing motor show this year, the iX3 is set to produce more than 270bhp, with a 70kWh battery giving a 248-mile range. It will be BMW’s third pure EV.

Autocar

 

[hannaz]

Daimler AG: Ceremonial Opening Testing and Technology Center - September 19 | Live streaming & video downloads

Live Channel

 

[Merc1]

So the U.S. will likely have at the entry level: A220, A35, A45 Sedans, GLA250, GLA35, GLA45, CLA250, CLA35, CLA45 and then GLB250, GLB35 and GLB45. That is quite a lot to market.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

Daimler AG: Ceremonial Opening Testing and Technology Center - September 19 | Live streaming & vi...

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Test track Immendingen: Technology of Tomorrow is on the Move | Daimler-Blog

 

[Merc1]

Awesome. I just want Mercedes to make everything they build a quality piece. Better built and more reliable. That will go a long ways in the hands of everyday consumers. It's good to see these massive investments though.

M

 

[hannaz]

This may not be relevant over here but felt like sharing cos of the good message.

 

[hannaz]

Dieter Zetsche to succeed Manfred Bischoff in the Supervisory Board and Ola Karllenius to become Chairman of Board of Management of Daimler AG in 2019

The Next Step | Daimler-Blog

 

[asrapid1]

Mercedes-AMG Dropping V12
Goauto
5 Oct 2018
By RON HAMMERTON

RATHER than killing the V8 engine as many people predict, electrification is extending its life, according to Mercedes-AMG chairman Tobias Moers.

Speaking at the Paris motor show where the German high-performance car brand is showing off its new entry-level model, the A35 AMG, Mr Moers told GoAuto that hybrid technology now being developed would increase both the efficiency and performance of AMG’s 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 in new AMG models.

Mr Moers confirmed that the Mercedes-AMG 6.0-litre V12 is on death row, saying the engine would go out of production after the current lifecycle of the S65.
“So we are going to move the S65 out of our portfolio,” he said.

But he said the V8 continued to figure in AMG’s plans for the foreseeable future.
“The V8 is a pretty efficient engine,” Mr Moers said, adding that AMG had already downsized its V8s from 6.3 litres to 5.5 litres and now 4.0 litres to meet fuel efficiency and emissions demands over the past several years.



“In combination with an electrified powertrain, it could be a longer lifecycle than what everybody thinks.”

Mr Moers said the 4.0-litre V8 that does duty in a range of tunes across a wide spread of AMG models, including sedans, SUVs and sportscars, was still young, so there were no plans to replace it.

He said AMG’s current strategy on electrification was to develop hybrids across its range, with some of them using Formula One technology trickling down from the new AMG One hypercar that mixes a Mercedes F1 1.5-litre V6 with high-performance electric motors managed by sophisticated software.

But he conceded that ultimately AMG would develop all-electric cars because “otherwise there will not be an AMG”.

Those cars will be entirely developed by AMG as performance vehicles because AMG’s parent company, Mercedes-Benz, is focusing on range and efficiency, not high performance.

Mr Moers pointed to AMG’s ground-up development of the two-door GT sports coupe as an example of AMG’s ability to produce its own high-performance platforms in future.

 

[Merc1]

What does that mean for Maybach tho?

M

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

The chances of this pretty low, but could it be possible that the next gen V12 is being developed my Mercedes-Benz and not Mercedes-AMG?

 

[SKY]

I highly doubt a new V12 is being developped. Most likely MB will keep the current one until the legislation allows it.

 

[Centurion]

I highly doubt a new V12 is being developped. Most likely MB will keep the current one until the legislation allows it.

Good point. Many manufacturers have said that by 2022-2025 all their cars will be electrified. With that on the horizon it doesn't make sense to develop a new V12 unless it will be a mild hybrid but the exercise would be like eating a Burger and triple cheese fries with low fat mayo.

 

[hannaz]

I was recently told that future of V12 is on big doubt - reason - with V12 what is expectes is high power, torque, performance and smooth & refined powertrain. All this can be achieved with electric power train, may be more performance & better refinement than conventional V12. MB have shown that with Vision Maybach Concepts too. Only concern would be range in present batteries, that can be improved by that time, more over most premium cars are not used for longer commute as these customers use their chopper of jets for it. So it wont be justifiable to spend a whooping amount to develop a new V12 for a small volume.

 

[Merc1]

Would it really cost that much though with the new I6 architecture? I mean it really shouldn’t be that expensive imo. Mercedes builds a million different engines right? A new V12 for maybach with EQ tech would be an awesome bridge over to eventual full electric imo.

M

 

[BMW3GT]

FYI: Tomorrows AutoBild issue is about the upcoming C-Class and GLC both due next decade.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

FYI: Tomorrows AutoBild issue is about the upcoming C-Class and GLC both due next decade.

They will show us how these cars will not look like

 

[hannaz]

Smart Brand Could Be Axed, Sub-A-Class Mercedes To Fill The Void

But before that, Smart is going electric-only worldwide.

Daimler, the company that owns the Mercedes-Benzand Smart brands, has ambitious plans for the city car automaker. Smart is already completely electric in North American and should become an EV-only maker in Europe by 2022. Apparently, that doesn’t mean the marque will survive for more than eight to ten years from now.

A new report from Automobile Magazine suggests Daimler could axe Smart entirely because Renault is not willing to continue its partnership with the brand. Currently, the two companies share a common platform for the Twingo/ForFour city cars, but once the duo reaches the end of its cycle the French automaker is going to pull out of the project.

According to the report, the initial plan is Smart to be wound up by 2026 at the earliest, unless another company shows interested in a new cooperation. Our source is mentioning Geely as a possible partner, but nothing can be said about a potential partnership at the moment.

If Smart disappears from the automotive business, Mercedes-Benz will have two options. It could either abandon the segment entirely or release a sub-A-Class model with a three-pointed star logo to compete against Mini and the Audi A1.

A final decision should be taken by 2021 when a new generation A-Class will be put on the drawing board. The current entry-level model of the company will move to a new fully-scalable architecture, which could be used to underpin a future baby Benz. This sounds like a pretty possible option because the so-called MX1 platform covers battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional ICE-powered cars.

Tentatively called the U-Class (U coming from urban and universal), the mini Benz could be offered in three different versions, according to Automobile Magazine– U-Class City, U-Class Shuttle, and U-Class Cargo. The first is a traditional three- and five-door mini hatch, the second is an on-demand shared vehicle, and the third is a small panel van.

Smart Brand Could Be Axed, Sub-A-Class Mercedes To Fill The Void

 

[Sovereign]

^ IMO the milking of Mercedes brand should stop at the A class.