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Mercedes' Electric S-Class Caught Leaving Lotus Headquarters
Mercedes’ long-awaited S-class Hybrid has been spotted leaving the Lotus HQ near Norwich.

It’s thought that Lotus specialists have been helping with the final tweaks on the car's highly complex switching mechanism, which controls the activation of the drivetrain’s electric motors. These motors are incorporated into the car’s transmission between the engine and the gearbox.

The production version of the car will be shown at the Frankfurt show in September, with the new hybrid transmission hooked up to a 268bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. The total power – with the assistance of the electric motor - will be nearly 300bhp and an average 35mpg.

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Mercedes' Electric S-Class Caught Leaving Lotus Headquarters



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Bmw8terBmw8ter - 7/9/2007 10:32:16 AM
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There goes the whole diesel hybrid idea. This will pack more punch than the diesel and still get the same gas mileage.

Mercedes is it's own worst enemy.


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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/9/2007 10:49:04 AM
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if it really averages 35mpg that would be amazing for a large sedan. still not environmentally friendly in terms of raw materials, but very impressive gas mileage vs. the pathetic 20mpg for the LS600h.

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bokuchinbokuchin - 7/9/2007 11:23:12 AM
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Yea, the LS600h is pathetic, but that has a V8. You can't compare the two.



enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/9/2007 1:31:28 PM
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the LS is trying to be all things and it doesn't excel at performance or gas mileage.

an S-class with 300hp that gets 75% better mileage would be a more than fair trade-off. horsepower isn't that crucial anyway...it will have massive torque and will likely be only a bit slower than the LS600 if at all.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/10/2007 12:38:23 AM
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well, the LS600 doesn't do it in 5 seconds either. 5.5 according to lexus.com. furthermore, people who buy more fuel efficient cars are willing to give up performance for better economy. i'm sure they'd be thrilled with 6 seconds and 35mpg.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/10/2007 12:41:36 AM
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furthermore, are you all aware the torque is what gives you off the line acceleration?

the E320 diesel makes only 210hp but has a wide flat torque band the generates 400lb-ft. so if the S-class diesel makes 300hp it could easily pull 500lb-ft of torque.

what's the torque band on the LS600 look like?


BMW995BMW995 - 7/9/2007 11:23:25 AM
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It's interesting how Daimler-Benz with all their financial and technical resources contracts out a significant project to a small British firm known for its research & design expertise at the highest levels in the automotive world.

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neutralneutral - 7/9/2007 11:57:27 AM
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Cmon....i want a diesel hybrid S class.

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JWalkerLegrandeJWalkerLegrande - 7/9/2007 12:03:15 PM
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They are clearly targeting the US hybrid hype and dont wanna commit too much resources into developing a dead end platform... No surprise if they don't launch this model outside the US.

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JUGNUJUGNU - 7/9/2007 12:46:03 PMView My AgentSpace
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Well this will challenge GS450h and not the mighty LS600h.

JUGNU

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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/9/2007 1:33:00 PM
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actually no. the GS is a cramped mid-size sedan. the LS and the S are large luxury sedans. so this will be the most direct competitor to the LS.


Will_Will_ - 7/9/2007 12:56:30 PM
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Mercedes cashing in on the whole "hybrid" train. I guess when the lot of you screamed that Mercedes is "being forced to produce a hybrid by Lexus" you were right!


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david989david989 - 7/9/2007 1:39:31 PM
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The LS600h is better and cleaner.

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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/10/2007 12:43:04 AM
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how do you know this?


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/10/2007 12:44:30 AM
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oh, i didn't realize lexus makes diesels! do enlighten us.

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CzelinskiCzelinski - 7/9/2007 1:55:02 PM
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The LS600H is an ugly piece of shit as well....funny that. They put so much effort into trying to design a car that compete with Mercedes, yet they fail again. Poor Toyota.

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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/10/2007 12:45:54 AM
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because lexus goes around claiming that the LS600 is a competitor to the S600. it's not. so they get nailed for making ridiculous claims.

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ctsangctsang - 7/9/2007 2:59:00 PM
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english combine with german, there goes reliability. I won't even buy a tv from either country.

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EL34EL34 - 7/9/2007 3:26:22 PM
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Another automotive first!

Thank you Mercedes-Benz.

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RupertRupert - 7/9/2007 6:33:23 PMView My AgentSpace
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I drove past Lotus headquarters yesterday.

Nearly hit an Elise coming down the road on the wrong side.

Didn't see any Mercs though.

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RupertRupert - 7/9/2007 6:34:11 PMView My AgentSpace
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I don't see the point of this car for the European market, same MPG as th 320cdi, more expensive, why buy it?


BigShow50BigShow50 - 7/9/2007 6:36:21 PM
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Funny to read the typical yet hypocritical response I would have expected from the German Fanboys, once again you guys just talk way too much, let's see this hybrid in the real world. MB has yet to prove their level of hybrid innovations, otherwise I would expect this to be on this list of all other pathetic electrical problems they are known for the last 100 years...I guess they still have not seen the light at the end of the tunnel...too bad, but only time will tell on the MB Hybrids. And since when did they need to stoop as low as goin' to Lotus for this supposed fine tuning on the switch mechanism, a company that at one point used the Toyota Celica engines in their own vehicles?....C'mon German Fanboys you gotta admit to that, ohh by the way Lotus probably are using the same fine tuning products on hybrids that is used/owned by Toyota...betcha' you fansboys did not know that part. But it's okay for Toyota to give a little helping hand to whatever auto corp needs help in areas they can't help themselves!!!!...LMAO!!!!!...C'mon MB stick to diesel, as you are letting Toyota Corp cath up on diesel tech!!!!....I think MB is starting to suffer some identity crisis....LMAO!!!!!!

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bobusbobus - 7/10/2007 3:53:38 AM
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CzelinskiCzelinski - 7/10/2007 5:07:49 AM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
BigShow50 = Idiot

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xj13xj13 - 7/10/2007 8:52:24 AM
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BigShow50= retard

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BentleyGTBentleyGT - 7/10/2007 1:14:51 PM
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Why does Lexus try so hard to compare its self to the best cars in the world, and its only been arould 18 years. Lexus really has no good history besides recycling the designs of Mercedes past, and known in japan as toyota. The only thing thats keeping Lexus alive is the stupid (L) which should stand for looser.

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CzelinskiCzelinski - 7/10/2007 4:20:37 PM
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BentleyGT = genius. He couldn't be more right, finally someone who knows!!!

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xj13xj13 - 7/13/2007 3:29:27 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
BentleyGT = genius. He couldn't be more right, finally someone who knows!!!

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