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The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is making its mark thanks to an innovative concept and high-performance drive system. A fully functioning van for everyday applications, it has a maximum payload of around 900kg and a load compartment with no restrictions on use. This means it can assume all the usual transportation duties of a vehicle in its class and makes it an ideal choice for courier and parcel services.
Post Expo held for the first time in Stuttgart
Last year, the Vito E-CELL wowed experts at the Post Expo in Copenhagen, picking up the ‘Innovation of the Year Award’ as a transport for courier and parcel services.
The Post Expo is a major international trade fair for the logistics industry that takes place every year in a different location.
This year, the most innovative and cutting-edge logistics solutions can be seen at Stuttgart Exhibition Centre from 27 to 29 September. Mercedes-Benz is offering exclusive road tests in the Vito E-CELL so that potential customers can experience this pioneering technology at first hand.
Several package delivery companies have already included the Vito E-CELL in their fleets in Germany and are delighted with its performance.
State-of-the art drive technology, high-performance lithium-ion battery
The Vito E-CELL’s powerful, high-tech batteries are located in the underfloor unit, and so do not take up valuable load space. They have a combined capacity of 36 kWh, which is sufficient for a range of around 130 kilometres. The electric motor powering the Vito E-CELL has an output of 60 kW, with 280 Nm of torque. And because electric motors are able to deliver full torque right from the start, the Vito E-CELL can pick up speed incredibly quickly. The maximum speed is capped at 80 km/h in view of the vehicle’s typical applications and maximum range.
Vito E-CELL: electric drive for quiet, local zero-emission driving
The zero-emission drive system of the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL, the first purely electric-powered van to be introduced ex works by any automobile manufacturer, makes it ideally suited to logistics applications in city centres and other environmentally sensitive areas.
The first Vito E-CELL vans have already been handed over to customers: by the end of 2010, a total of 100 had been delivered in Berlin and Stuttgart, and plans are in place for the staggered delivery of a further 2000 units across Europe. Providing a range of approximately 130 kilometres, the Vito E-CELL is capable of meeting typical customer requirements for vans making frequent short journeys. The load space can be used without any restrictions whatsoever, and with a maximum payload of around 900kg, the Vito E-CELL really is a fully functioning van for courier, express and parcel services.
High-capacity lithium-ion drive batteries
The batteries housed under the loading floor are durable, high-performance lithium-ion units. Thanks to intelligent technology, the charging times can be specified in accordance with how the vehicle is used. This means each Vito E-CELL can be charged at precisely those times when energy providers supply ‘green’ power or off-peak electricity. The batteries are also charged while driving through regenerative braking, which converts the vehicle’s braking energy into electricity.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
On the 21st July, Stuttgart airport opened Fairport STR, a public educational tour providing information related to the topic of sustainability. The tour has been organised in cooperation with the Faculty of Environmental Management at the University of Hohenheim and various project partners, among them Mercedes-Benz, that is set to provide a Vito E-CELL model for demonstration purpose to the so-entitled "Emission-free Mobility" station.
Stations in the environmental tour
The sustainability tour at Stuttgart airport has been given the title Fairport STR. It concerns itself with nine different environmental and social topics related to the airport. Various stations distributed around the public areas of the airport invite visitors to take a tour and learn how Baden-Württemberg's principal airport addresses environmental and sustainability questions.
Emission-free mobility with the Vito E-CELL
The "Emission-free Mobility" station on the subject of e-mobility in the environmental tour was created by Mercedes-Benz. One guiding theme is: Driving into the future with the electric car – is that possible? At this station, a Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL and other displays directly, informatively and interactively make the future of emission-free mobility tangible for the visitor. Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL project manager Andreas Pohl: "Further development of the electric car is the right way to reach the goal of sustainable mobility. The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is the perfect answer in the van sector. We are very pleased to be part of this sustainability tour."
The latest drive technology, powerful lithium-ion batteries in the Vito E-CELL
The Vito E-CELL is the world's first locally emission-free, electric motor powered van available as standard ex factory. It combines the advantages of a classic van with a modern and environmentally friendly drive concept.
The electric motor of the Vito E-CELL generates an output of 60 kW and 280 Nm of torque. As the full torque is already available from start-off with an electric motor, the Vito E-CELL is capable of dynamic performance on a par with the familiar, high level of modern diesel engines. With a view to the typical operating profile of the Vito E-CELL, and in the interests of achieving the greatest possible battery range, the top speed of the van is limited to 80 km/h.
The batteries of the Vito E-CELL are housed under the load compartment floor, which saves space. These are ultra- modern, particularly powerful and durable lithium-ion batteries. Their total capacity is 36 kWh, enough for an operating range of around 130 kilometres. This means that the Vito E-CELL meets the average customer requirements for van operations, with an average daily distance of 50-80 kilometres plus a generous reserve.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The new B-Class arrives this September and it will mark a definitive turnover in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. While the current model managed to attract a positive number of customers according to recent statistics, it was never perceived as a true Mercedes-Benz: the roomy interior and the elegant design didn't manage to counteract the obvious issues related to driving dynamics, overall efficiency and build quality. Having born in the cloudy Schrempp era, the first generation B-Class really had to resist some serious arguments against it to live up to these days and eventually surpass the little A-Class in what sales numbers are concerned. As for the forthcoming W 246, the minds that developed it had to deliver a tough work to fix the problems and create a whole new car both visually and technically.
I think they accomplished the task pretty well, if we have a look at the silhouette hidden under the minor FEP camouflage. The exterior styling has been clearly influenced by the nonconformist Concept BlueZERO if you look at the shape of the headlights, extensively fitted with colourful LEDs, and those weird seen on the side profile. To create a more aggressive stance, the roof line is lower compared to the outgoing model and slopes beautifully towards the back end of the car. Inside, the new B-Class will welcome the passengers with an attractive dashboard and quality materials, that are said to be even more premium than those found in the C-Class, according to Prof. Gorden Wagener, head of Mercedes-Benz design department. The spacious interior offers more storage places, more travelling comfort, more high-tech gimmicks such as the COMAND Online with multiple media and infotainment devices, as well as a revised luggage compartment boasting a greater capacity.
The MPV sits on a brand new modular platform called MFA - this will enable more powering solutions to be easily accommodated without changing the entire chassis or the basic architecture of the underpinnings. For the beginning, conventional internal combustion engines will be offered: Renault will supply the low displacement units up to 1.6 litres, whereas Mercedes-Benz will provide the high-end powerplants, such as the 2.1 litres 4-cylinder diesel engine with 204 hp and the 1.8 litres 4-cylinder petrol motor with the same peak output. To ensure a smooth and efficient run, each and every engine in the range will undergo the BlueEFFICIENCY treatment.
Some of the new assistance technologies which the Stuttgart-based constructor has premiered along with the latest models will make their way onto the upcoming B-Class. Moreover, an upgraded version of the Brake Assist system, which helps reduce the number of rear-end collisions, will also be available. The safety package will further include a high number of airbags for an ultimate passenger protection, pretensioned 3-point seat belts for all the five occupants, PRE-SAFE crash anticipation system, DISTRONIC PLUS, ABS, ESP and certainly many other.
When the new B-Class is launched for sale in Europe by the end of 2011, the standard price tag should reach around 22,000-23,000 euros. There are plans to market the MPV in the USA for the first time in history beginning with the second part of 2012.
Photo source: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
