Mercedes Unveils BlueZERO Trio of Electric Concept Cars

Mercedes BlueZERO Concept Car photo

Mercedes BlueZERO: One Body, Three Drivetrains
Mercedes has given us more information about its BlueZERO trio of concept cars. I'll be able to see it in person in Detroit in January, but in the meantime, here's what we know about it: A single architecture designed to be modular so that three different drivetrains can be used. The E-CELL version is battery-electric, the E-CELL PLUS is similar but has a small internal combustion engine to act as a range-extender (like on the BYD F3DM or GM Volt), and the F-CELL is a hydrogen fuel cell model. Read on for more details.

Mercedes BlueZERO Concept Car photo

From the Mercedes press release:

All these models feature battery packs based on the latest lithium-ion technology. This new battery technology has decisive advantages over conventional battery types, among them very compact dimensions, significantly higher performance, excellent reliability and a long operating life. The common components used in the modular system also include the compact, permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, which operates at a maximum of 13,280 rpm. It develops a peak output of 100 kW and a continuous output of 70 kW. Its peak torque is 320 Nm, while the continuous torque is 180 Nm. The maximum torque is available from the first revolution of the electric motor and exceeds the figure achieved by a current V6 petrol engine at 2500 rpm.

The battery has a capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and is located in the middle of the vehicle, under the passengers in the "sandwich floor". This protects the battery in case of accident, and since that's the most expensive thing in the car, that's a good thing.