MERCEDES-BENZ NEW TECHNOLOGY AT FRANKFURT

At the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) Mercedes-Benz will display a selection of its technology to be applied in production in the future. The focus is on engine development, safety, telematics and alternative drive systems.

At the IAA, the engineers themselves will be unveiling new engine concepts to the general public which in future will contribute to the further reduction of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions across the Mercedes range. In the field of petrol engine development, Mercedes-Benz is, for example, working on variable valve control systems which, once in use, promise fuel savings of between eight and ten per cent. Petrol direct injection is also being tested intensively, although Mercedes engineers believe that some aspects of this technology still need to be addressed - in particular the whole area of exhaust emissions. This is why Mercedes-Benz advocates the Europe-wide introduction of sulphur-free fuel which permits efficient nitrogen oxide conversion using an accumulator-catalyst.

New safety concept with 'predictive crash analysis'

To further improve occupant safety, engineers at Mercedes-Benz are developing a new concept of early accident detection which they refer to as 'predictive crash analysis'. The aim is to put the protective systems, i.e. belt tensioners, airbags or sidebags, on early standby even before the accident occurs. It could, for example, become possible to control the inflation of the airbags as required: in a minor collision, the airbags can be inflated more slowly, thereby enhancing their protective effect in certain types of accident.

Mercedes engineers also believe that with the aid of such an early warning system it would in future be possible to apply the brakes automatically to attenuate the consequences of the inevitable collision.

Click here for further details of this system.

Telematics and multi-media services for motorists

Mercedes-Benz believes that traffic telematics will in future also offer new ways of improving road safety and traffic flow while at the same time optimising the information available to motorists. Following on from the dynamic navigation system, 'DynAPS', and the automatic emergency call system, 'tele-aid', which have already entered series production, the Stuttgart-based auto marque is sure to offer additional telematics services in the future. These will, for example, include the 'Floating Car Data' system which is based on the continuous exchange of information between vehicles: equipped with special radio systems, the cars regularly transmit data on their current position, their own speed, the road surface condition and traffic flow. These details are collected centrally, analysed and transmitted to all participating vehicles in the form of up-to-date traffic information. This allows for a broadly-based capturing of traffic data which can be used to provide all motorists with information concerning road and weather conditions as well as any traffic jams. The disadvantge may be that 'big brother' could easily catch any speeding Mercedes!

Mercedes-Benz also has a research programme to address the topic of multi-media. In order to make online services available to motorists in future, engineers have developed their own portal service which allows access to the latest information systems. Using special multimedia equipment designed for Mercedes models, data from a personal computer can be transmitted into the car for further processing. Passengers will also be able to surf the Internet while the car is on the move. They could even read this......

Fuel cells as passenger car drive system and on-board power station

At Mercedes-Benz the development of alternative drive systems is advancing rapidly, hoping to beat every other manufacturer to market with a practical alternative vehicle. Interest continues to focus on the NECAR fuel-cell project. Engineers will, however, need to overcome a number of technical challenges ahead of the proposed market launch of such a car which is proposed for the year 2004. These include the further miniaturisation of systems components, particularly of the onboard methanol converter. While the vehicle is on the move, the converter provides the hydrogen required for the fuel cells. During the past year alone, the dimensions and weight of this system have been reduced by about 40 per cent. It still needs to be smaller.

At the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show Mercedes-Benz will exhibit an S-class research vehicle to demonstrate that the fuel cell can be used as an additional power pack for conventional cars. It is equipped with a small fuel cell system that provides the electric power for the air conditioning, TV receiver, audio or multimedia system while the engine is switched off. The system, located under the saloon's boot, gives off 18 kilowatt hours of energy.

S-class with a combination of electric and petrol engine

Mercedes-Benz also unveils a new hybrid vehicle on the S-class platform. Under the bonnet there is a 180bhp V6 petrol engine. Instead of the automatic transmission there is a planetary transfer case complete with dual-mass flywheel and an 80kW electric motor. Which of the drive systems is being used depends on the way the saloon is driven. A micro-computer always gives priority to the engine that offers most benefits in the particular situation. An intelligent combination of the two power plants is possible for example after a cold start when the petrol engine operates in an optimal warm-running program with the electric drive offsetting any performance differences when driving off or accelerating.

With the aid of this hybrid drive up to 22 per cent fuel may be saved in the European driving cycle. Exhaust emissions from the research vehicle are below the EU4 limits to be introduced in the year 2005.

Further engine technology will be on show - for details of this click here....

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