Mercedes-Benz revealed today its latest version of the classic G-Class off-roader, now in its 31st year, features state-of-the-art BlueTEC technology.

For those who don’t know BlueTEC is a technology developed by the German manufacturer in order to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The new G 350 BlueTEC uses AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process releases ammonia, which means that 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides are converted into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.

All of you know that the G-Class is used in remote areas of the world, this is one of its main purposes, and due to this the German engineers integrated an AdBlue filler cap in the vehicle’s outside tank recess. With this filter cap, the manufacturer says that one full tank of AdBlue is enough for around 12,000 kilometres.

Regarding the engine, the car uses a V6 diesel capable to deliver 155 kW (210 hp) at 3400 rpm and a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm. The engine delivers substantially fewer emissions than the previous G 350 CDI model and reduces NOx emissions by around 50 %. The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC can be ordered in three body variants: a short-wheelbase Station Wagon, long-wheelbase Station Wagon and Convertible.

For those who don’t want a green car, they can always switch to the powerful powerful 5.5 litre V8 petrol engine developing 285 kW (388 hp) with a torque of 530 Nm or chose the powerful G55 AMG with its V8 supercharged engine developing 373 kW (507 hp) with an impressive peak torque of 700 Nm.

The standard specification of the G 350 BlueTEC includes includes the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

Over the next few years, we will be witnesses to the arrival of plug-in hybrids and fuel cell cars from Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit in each segment.

Mercedes-Benz will be doubling its investment in green technologies in the next two years and will spend $1.4 billion in each of the next two years to develop batteries and fuel-saving engines. In the past three years, annual spending had averaged $700 million. In an interview at the Geneva auto show, Thomas Weber, head of Daimler’s r&d, said that Mercedes will put up a “flexible architecture” so that the right powertrain can be installed for each customer, whether it’s a plug-in hybrid or pure electric fuel cell.

Mercedes also plans to add more efficient gasoline and diesel engines and to expand its electric options. For small cars, Daimler will sell electric versions of the front-wheel-drive subcompact A class, compact B class and Smart cars.

For mid-sized and large cars, the E-class and S-class vehicles and their derived coupes, will have plug-in hybrid and possibly electric powerplants. Currently, Mercedes-Benz has a full-hybrid M-class crossover in its lineup. It’s believed that the next vehicle to get a plug-in hybrid powerplant will be the E class, most probably next year.

Weber said that the C-class hybrid would arrive in a few years when that model is replaced. He predicts that in the next 10 years, sales of alternative-fuel vehicles will be “in the high numbers in some regions.” He added that the S class would have a 100% hybrid share in some markets, “perhaps in Europe.” Weber is basing this forecast on the 20% take rate globally for the S-class hybrid — the S400 sedan, which was launched last summer.

[Via: Autonews]

2008 Toyota Prius

The report about a 2008 Prius speeding out of control in San Diego, California, just showed people exactly how serious the risks are of driving Toyota’s cars. Fortunately, a California Highway Patrol officer had been instrumental in guiding the car’s driver to a halt.

Toyota has started an investigation of this incident. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. released a statement that a field technician specialist has been dispatched to probe the matter as well as to offer assistance. According to a Highway Patrol dispatcher, a blue Prius was traveling east on Interstate 8 around 1:30 p.m. Then, all of a sudden, the hybrid car began accelerating on its own, making the car get to a speed of more than 90 mph.

The dispatcher said that the trooper gave instructions through a loudspeaker. The driver soon was able to slow down the car to 50 mph. According to Toyota spokesman Mike Michels, the driver was instructed to push hard on the brakes and engage the emergency brake.

The trooper parked in front of the vehicle and the driver then was told to turn off the power button. The recall was announced last November for gasoline-electric Prius models from the 2004 through 2010 model years.

Toyota said that the reason for the unintended acceleration was the result of floor mats that could interfere with gas pedals.

These models are included in the nearly 8 million vehicles recalled worldwide. It’s ironic how the Prius incident took place on the same day that Toyota held a press conference to show that electronic malfunctions can’t be blamed for unintended acceleration in its vehicles.

Infiniti’s first hybrid – the new M35 Hybrid – had its launching at the Geneva Motor Show. It could actually be regarded as the petrol-electric version of Infiniti’s new 5-series rival, the M saloon.

The M35 is equipped with Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system, a 3.5-liter V6 mated with a 67bhp/199lb ft electric motor that is located between the engine and the seven-speed transmission. The M35, like the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, is featured with a second clutch that disconnects the engine from the transmission. This enables the car to coast effectively, reducing drag and improving efficiency.

The M35’s transmission is an upgraded version of the standard Infiniti seven-speed auto. To make the engine more responsive and efficient, Infiniti removed the torque converter. The car’s engine is the US-spec V6, which is capable of 316bhp and 266lb ft.

European and UK Infinitis have a 3.7-liter unit but Infiniti is using the older V6 since development work on the hybrid began before the 3.7-litre engine was created. The M35 weighs about 150kg more than a standard M; however, Infiniti claims that using a laminated lithium ion battery cuts 30kg.

When compared to a conventional battery, the laminated unit is easier to cool and this increases efficiency and longevity. This makes the batteries last 136,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Weight is further reduced by removing the starter motor.

Instead, the electric motor turns the engine over. Infiniti sources say that this became a technical issue since both clutches had to slip to allow the engine to start. The hybrid is expected to go on sale after about a year, sales of which should account for 33% of total European M sales. For the first full year (2011), total sales in Europe are estimated to average 3,500.

Chrysler had on display a 300C Eco Style at the Geneva Motor Show. Instead of an all-electric 300C, Chrysler had taken a new approach on the “environmental awareness” movement and made good use of eco-friendly materials.

On the 300C Eco Style, Chrysler used cork, bamboo, recycled jute carpeting and suede seat inserts. Aside from its refined interior, the car also now boasts a set of refurbished wheels. At the Geneva Motor Show, the 300C Eco Style had a Vanilla exterior color with black roof and large 20-inch wheels.

For its interior, the car has been provided with cactus-accented seat-inserts and door trim, bamboo appliques placed on the door trim, center console and steering wheel. Chrysler said that the recycled materials are used on the interior.

We see recycled ultra-suede seat inserts on the front while the rear-passenger seats are remarkable because they’re soft but durable. Organic themes on the center console and door trim of the interior compartment come in the form of hydrographic patterns. For the exterior, water-based paints were used.

Powering the Eco Style 300C is a 5.7 liter HEMI. Multi-displacement System (MDS) is featured on this engine.

MDS alternates between a fuel-efficient four-cylinder mode when the car is cruising and the V8 mode when power is needed. Chrysler claims that with the MDS, vehicle performance is not sacrificed for the sake of optimizing fuel economy.

It was just last week that Lexus dropped all the details on its upcoming new CT 200h (click here to refresh your memory), and now, as promised, the Japanese automaker has officially unveiled the hybrid hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. Naturally, we snapped off a series of live photos for your viewing enjoyment.

Interestingly, while Lexus has yet to confirm which markets the CT will enter, our men on the scene report back, "Lexus executives were adamant about a near-simultaneous global launch a year from now. In their own words, the United States and Japan will receive the CT 200h, even if it was developed as an euro-centric model. First deliveries should begin in Q1 2011."

Until we get official confirmation on that point from Lexus, take that information and file it firmly in the rumormill folder, but it could mean good things to come for those interested in a fuel efficient premium hatchback to go up against Audi’s diesel-powered A3. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more on the way live from the show floor in Switzerland.

[Via: Autoblog Green]

We got sneak peek of the first ever Lotus Hybrid a couple of days ago, and now we’ve seen the Evora 414E Hybrid in the metallic flesh. Just a slight refresher on the technology, the 414E makes 408 horsepower and a skull-popping 590 pound-feet of torque via electricity.

That’s right, this is not your Prius-style hybrid. Like Chevy’s Volt, the Evora 414E is an extended-range electric vehicle. Meaning that it runs on batteries (for up to 35 miles) before a 47-hp three-cylinder engine kicks on to provide power. Also, instead of one electric motor, the 414E has two. One for each rear wheel. And since most of the time the car will be running off lithium-ion batteries, Lotus is employing HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis systems to make the 414E sound like a "real" car.

On the outside, the 414E looks like your "standard" Evora, except that this here show car is covered in faux-electric circuitry. Plus it’s painted in a gorgeous shade of matte copper. The real story though, is inside. Talk about Black and Gold! Even if the Evora 414E Hybrid never makes it to production (we hear it will in two to three years) we hope they offer those seats as an option. Yes, we’re odd people. Deal with it.

[Via: Autoblog Green]

Audi revealed today the details of the upcoming A8 Hybrid Concept, set to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The new hybrid sedan is powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine and the electric motor which deliver a combined output of 245 hp (180 kW) and a torque of 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft).

This means that the car has the same outstanding performance as a large-capacity conventional six-cylinder engine. Even the fuel consumption is impressive: only 6.2 l/100 km (37.94 US mpg), equivalent to CO2 emissions of 144 g/km (231.75 g/mile). Regarding the engine, the A8 Hybrid uses the 211 hp (155 kW) four-cylinder petrol mated to the eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The electric motor can supply a further 33 kW (45 hp) to the driveline, as well as a vigorous 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque. In the pure electric mode the car reaches 65 km/h (40.39 mph) and cover a distance of more than two kilometers (1.2 miles).

This is the hybrid Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano! Although, we know little about this car, we can tell you that it uses a hybrid system derived from the KERS a.k.a. kinetic energy recovery system used by the F1 team in the 2009 season.

European patents already showed that the Ferrari is working on a four-wheel drive hybrid drivetrain with electric motors powering the front wheels, while an Italian magazine reported that the car will use lithium batteries as well as an electric motor in order to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent. More details will be revealed next week at the Geneva Motor Show!

According to the latest reports it appears that Audi is preparing a big surprise for all the car lovers around the world.

If the rumors are true we will going to see a third variant of the e-Tron Concept car at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, this time based on the recently launched Audi A1. For those who don’t know, Audi already unveiled the first e-Tron Concept back in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the second variant in January, at the Detroit Auto Show. The new concept car will make its official debut on 2nd of March at 13.30 and its debut will be broadcasted live due to the fact that Justin Timberlake will also be there to unveil the brand new A1. Also, Audi will present the hybrid version of the A8 in a concept form as well as the brand new RS 5 powered by the all-mighty 4.2-liter V8 engine.

[Via: 4WheelsNews]