2010 Mercedes benz ML450
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An hour after Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new ML450 hybrid at the New York Auto Show, we got to take our first quick drive in the first German version of a two-mode hybrid. Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with General Motors, Chrysler and BMW for the last four years to develop the two-mode hybrid system for applications smaller than the buses that GM originally designed it for. GM has now installed the system across the board on all its GMT900 full size trucks and SUVs and Chrysler briefly offered it on the Durango and Aspen before production of those vehicles ended at the end of 2008. In 2010, Dodge will add the system to the Ram pickup trucks.
Mercedes-Benz will be building its own version of the two-mode hybrid transmission at a plant in Germany. Those transmissions will also be supplied to BMW for the X6 hybrid when that debuts. Read on for our first on the road impressions of the ML450.
The two-mode hybrid transmission for the Mercedes and BMW applications is based on the same mechanisms as the GM variant and in fact much of the innards are common. It features 4 clutches and three planetary gear sets. The main difference for the German variant is smaller motors that allow for a tighter package size so that it fits into the more compact vehicles. The two motors are rated at 83 hp/173 lb-ft and 80 hp/192 lb-ft. Similarly, the power electronics are repackaged but 75 percent of the internals are common with GM.
Mercedes-Benz will be building its own version of the two-mode hybrid transmission at a plant in Germany. Those transmissions will also be supplied to BMW for the X6 hybrid when that debuts. Read on for our first on the road impressions of the ML450.
The two-mode hybrid transmission for the Mercedes and BMW applications is based on the same mechanisms as the GM variant and in fact much of the innards are common. It features 4 clutches and three planetary gear sets. The main difference for the German variant is smaller motors that allow for a tighter package size so that it fits into the more compact vehicles. The two motors are rated at 83 hp/173 lb-ft and 80 hp/192 lb-ft. Similarly, the power electronics are repackaged but 75 percent of the internals are common with GM.
