Mercedes-Benz to supply Two-Mode hybrid transmissions for BMW
During a media preview of the new BlueTec diesel powered Mercedes SUVs here in Vermont, Thomas Ruhl Director of R-Class, SUV hybrid and BlueTec discussed some of the alternative drive systems coming from Stuttgart in the near future. While he didn't get into any of the electric car programs that have been discussed recently, he did talk about hybrids. Ruhl confirmed that the S400 BlueHybrid and ML450 BlueHybrid will be launched in the U.S. in 2009. BlueHybrid does not mean these are diesel hybrids, Blue is just the color that Mercedes and others are using to denote their cleaner, more efficient vehicles. When a diesel hybrid arrives it will be called a BlueTec Hybrid.
The S400 will use the mild hybrid system jointly developed by Mercedes and BMW and will be equipped with a lithium ion battery. The ML450 will be the first Mercedes application of the Two-Mode hybrid system. General Motors is building the Two-Mode hybrid transmissions for its own applications as well as supplying Chrylser. Similarly, Ruhl revealed that Mercedes would build the Two-Mode transmissions for both its own and BMW's vehicles. The X6 will be the first Munich model to get the hybrid treatment. The guts of the Mercedes-built units will be identical for both German brands and, like the American version, the only difference is the mechanical interface to connect the respective automakers engines as well as the control software. One item Ruhl declined to discuss is the battery for use with the Two-Mode hybrids. GM and Chrysler are both using nickel metal hydride. Mercedes is using lithium ion for the mild hybrid and the 'no comment' from Ruhl indicates that the same may be true for the Two-Mode.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 5:19PM (6/24/2008)
It seems kind of strange to me that Mercedes is supplying the two-mode hybrid transmission for BMW.
I mean, BMW helped develop the hybrid system along Daimler, GM, and Chrysler. So why don't they just build it themselves? Maybe it's cost related or some sort of auto industry kind of thing since GM is doing the same for Chrysler.
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Sam Abuelsamid 5:23PM (6/24/2008)
It's about economies of scale and the fact that BMW doesn't build any transmissions itself. BMW buys transmissions from companies like ZF and Getrag. The initial production volumes for the hybrid are not high enough to justify multiple suppliers building them. Mercedes builds its own transmissions anyway so supplying them to BMW is no big deal
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66coronet 7:58AM (6/25/2008)
What about Chrysler to Nissan?
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