The 63rd annual IAA auto show begins on September 17 in Frankfurt, Germany. The 17th and 18th are trade days and then the show opens to the public from September 19 through September 27, 2009. Among the vehicles scheduled to be on display at the event is the new Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid.

“The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity and therefore without producing any local emissions. The efficient drive system combined with the CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode enables the vehicle to achieve a certified consumption of only 3.2 litres of petrol per 100 kilometers.” Source: Daimler

This is approximately 73 miles per gallon. This is quite a bit more than the 50-mpg third generation Toyota Prius but far less than the estimated 100+ mpg rating that the Chevrolet Volt may be awarded.

Mercedes-Benz premiered its ML 450 Hybrid at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. This ML450 is the first full hybrid vehicle made by a European automaker.

“The performance figures for the ML 450 HYBRID (335 hp, 381 lb-ft) are at the level of a classic eight-cylinder SUV with permanent all-wheel drive. “Yet, its fuel consumption and its emissions are up to 60 percent lower,” continues Ernst Lieb. Conceived specifically for the North American market, the ML 450 HYBRID achieves highway gas mileage of 24 mpg (21 mpg city), making it the most efficient vehicle in its segment.” Source: Daimler

The ML450 has Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) classification and uses a Two Mode hybrid system. The Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid will go on sale in the states this fall.

Michigan is the home of the “Big 3” or “Detroit 3” automakers – Chrysler, General Motors and Ford. The history of the state is steeped with auto industry highs and lows. Unfortunately, the state is trying to make it through this extremely difficult time in the industry.

Norwegian electric car company, TH!NK, is in the process of choosing a location for the company’s first American manufacturing facility. Among the seven states under consideration, Michigan was the only state listed in a press release issued earlier this month. Now, Automotive News Europe is reporting that Mercedes-Benz Hybrid LLC is looking at the Ann-Arbor, Michigan region as a possible home of a new research and development center.

“The unit of Daimler North America Corp., currently with 14 employees in Michigan, could create up to 223 new jobs if it locates a planned hybrid center in the Ann Arbor area, according to a Michigan Economic Development Corp. memo about the project submitted to the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board.” Source: Automotive News Europe

In order to entice MB to build the facility in Michigan, the state’s Economic Development Corp wants to offer MB a 10-year, 100% employment tax credit.

The accolades for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI just keep rolling in. The vehicle was chosen as the 2009 Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal; this award was announced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle is also among the finalists for the Urban Wheel Awards Urban Car of the Year. The winner of that award will be announced in a ceremony on January 13, 2009.

The Jetta TDI has now been named one of three finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year in the car category. The Jetta will be up against the Ford Flex and the Hyundai Genesis. The Genesis is also a finalist in the Urban Wheel Awards competition.

Another more eco-friendly vehicle also made the list but in the truck category. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC is one of three trucks to make the finals.

“The awards are unique in the United States because — instead of being given by a single publication — they are given by 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.” (Source: PR Newswire)

The winners will be announced on January 11, 2009 at the North American International Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz has been awarded the “Green Steering Wheel” award by the German newspaper, Bild am Sonntag. The company received this awarded due to its BlueTEC diesel technology. “BlueTEC technology developed by Mercedes-Benz for diesel vehicles is the most outstanding environmental innovation in the automotive sector and offers a sustained reduction in the burden on the environment.” (Source: Daimler Global Media Site)

This year marks the second year that the newspaper has awarded a company with the Green Steering Wheel. Bild am Sonntag readers were asked to submit their nominations for an eco-friendly auto innovation. After tallying the submissions, a jury of environmental experts was then asked to evaluate the most popular submissions. The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel technology came out on top as the winner of the 2008 award.

Consumers in the United States can purchase one of the following models that utilize this award-winning technology: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC and the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R320 BlueTEC. Each of these three vehicles is eligible for a federal income tax credit.

The Paris Motor Show is underway and the awards are already starting to pile up. AutoWeek announced its pick for Best in Show, Most Significant, Best Concept and Most Fun vehicles at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Honda Insight was named as the Most Significant and was a top contender for the Best Concept vehicle.

In an October 3, 2008 AutoWeek Press Release, AutoWeek Editor Dutch Mandel had this to say of the 2009 Honda Insight:

“This hybrid car will be cheaper than the Prius, have high fuel economy and seating for five. Honda has officially returned to the game they used to own.”

The Best Concept vehicle of the 2008 Paris Motor Show, as named by AutoWeek, was the Peugeot RC HyMotion4. The official name of the Peugeot was not released until the start of the show but details and picture of the Peugeot RC have been floating around the Internet for weeks. Speaking about the RC HyMotion, Mandel says, “If the French automakers were to come to the U.S., this is the car Americans would want. Here is an electric sports car we can love.”

Other contenders for Best Concept were the Mercedes-Benz FASCINATION, Audi A1 Sportback and the Saab 9-X Air.

Mercedes-Benz has already made several announcements and reveals at the 2008 Paris Motor Show including the uber-expensive Maybach Landaulet, the much-hyped Concept FASCINATION and the newest in the Smart lineup, the Smart ed (electric drive.)

Smart Electric Drive
The Smart ForTwo has a solid ten-year history under its belt and now Mercedes-Benz has plans for its newest Smart car, the Smart Electric Drive. Electric Smarts have been on the streets of London for more than a year now as part of a test market. From today’s press release:

“The development and tuning of the components needed are already well underway. At the beginning of next year the system will initially undergo internal testing and optimisation. Small series production of the electric two-seater will start at the end of 2009 and smart will then deliver the first vehicles to selected customers.”

Concept FASCINATION
Last month I reported on news from Mercedes-Benz on the Concept FASCINATION Design Study. In Paris, Mercedes-Benz delighted viewers with a full prototype of their car of the future. For those who prefer a visual taste to your news, enjoy the photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.

Smart Electric Drive

Concept FASCINATION

Exciting news from Mercedes-Benz this morning, the S 400 BlueHYBRID (notice MB’s use of caps again) will be available in the summer of 2009. This new hybrid won’t be limited to Europe; MB has announced that those in Europe will be able to purchase the S 400 BlueHYBRID in June of 2009, consumers in China can purchase the vehicle in August 2009 and those of us in the United States can get our hands on the new hybrid in September 2009.

From the Mercedes-Benz press release:

“The combination of a modified V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world’s most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine. The NEDC combined fuel consumption is a mere 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This makes for the world’s lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - just 190 grams per kilometer.”

For those of us who are not on the metric system, this factors out to approximately 30 miles per gallon achieved from this 3.5-liter engine with 279 hp.

Continuing with the European envy, Mercedes-Benz has released photos as well as details on the engine that is being used in the C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition. Mercedes-Benz will be limiting the initial production to 5,000 units with an optional AMG Sports Package available.

From the official Mercedes-Benz press release:

“For its world premiere, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer will unveil a C-Class model with this new four-cylinder engine. In the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, this engine produces, with its 2.2 litres of displacement, 150 kW / 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The premiere model can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds, on the way to its top speed of 250 km/h. Notwithstanding these exceptional performance figures, the Prime Edition only consumes an average of 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.”

Now for a little math for those of us here in the United States – the fuel efficiency will come out at about 45 MPG. Again, no plan to release this in the US – MBUSA is instead focusing on the BlueTEC line for our market.

Several 2009 Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC Diesel models will be joining the Volkswagen Jetta TDI on the list of 2009 model vehicles eligible for the United States Tax Credit for Qualified Hybrid Vehicles as set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition to qualifying for the tax credit, these diesel models meet California emissions standard and are certified in all 50 states.

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC
Consumers who purchase a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC diesel will be eligible to take up to a $900 tax credit on their federal tax return. The 2009 ML320 with the BlueTEC diesel engine will provide a 50% increase in torque than its standard gasoline competitors and 20% better fuel efficiency. A tank of gas is expected to last drivers around 600 miles.

2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC
The MB GL320 seats 7 passengers and has a 23 mpg fuel efficiency rating. The GL320 comes with a tax credit of $1,800. Although the GL320 only has 210 horsepower, it has 400 pounds-feet of torque at only 1,600 RPM. This makes the GL320 perfect for the SUV owner that needs to tow a camper, boat or other toy.

2009 Mercedes-Benz R320 BlueTEC
Although not technically an SUV, the 2009 R320 BlueTEC crossover is also eligible for a tax credit under federal law. Falling in between the ML320 and GL320, consumers who purchase the R320 will be eligible for a $1,550 tax credit.

About the BlueTEC
From the official MBUSA website, “Mercedes-Benz developed the BlueTEC so that drivers could truly have it all – performance-oriented luxury vehicles that delivered superior fuel economy with the slimmest possible environmental footprint.”

Mercedes-Benz has been using diesel engines for more than 100 years and has continued to keep diesel products in its lineup. The design of the BlueTEC engine results in “a significant reduction in soot, pollutants, and greenhouse gases that cause global warming, making BlueTEC the world’s cleanest diesel engine.”

Celebrity Backing
Driving hybrid cars is popular among certain celebrities. The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC series is receiving a bit of celebrity attention as well. Songstress Alanis Morissette features a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicle in the music video for the song “Underneath.”