Kelowna Mercedes-Benz

  

January 29, 2011    -   125 years of automotive engineering innovations


 

   When Carl Benz filed patent no. 37435 in Berlin on 29 January 1886, no-one could imagine how the modern-day motor car would take the world by storm over the coming 125 years. Less than 100 kilometers away, the Swabian inventor and entrepreneur Gottlieb Daimler was successfully working on his motorized carriage at almost exactly the same time as Benz, completing it in that same year. However, both had to wait a few more years before reaping any economic gain from their groundbreaking developments.

   As far back as the eighteenth century there had been first experiments with automobiles driven by steam engines, in particular in England and France. In the course of the 19th century countless engineers, developers and inventors all over Europe worked at the further development of steam engines. Electric motors were also tried for the first time. However, the decisive steps that led to Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz's invention of the modern motor car took place in Germany with the invention of the four-stroke engine (gas engine) by Nikolaus August Otto.

   Both Daimler and his congenial partner, Wilhelm Maybach, as well as Carl Benz realized that their opportunity lay in the reduction of size and weight of the engine coupled with an increase in power output at the same time. The resoluteness with which Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler developed their ideas further, and patented, implemented and tested them to finally lead to their application in series production and market maturity, makes them the fathers of an invention that was to change the world - socially, culturally and economically.

 

   But what is the key to the success of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler that continues to hold true today?

"The best or nothing" - Gottlieb Daimler

For almost 125 years the star has represented the pinnacle of automotive engineering. It symbolizes

Perfection, Fascination, and Responsibility

like no other trademark. As the automobile brand with the world's richest heritage, Mercedes-Benz continuously measures itself against its own aspirations of leading the premium segment and of continuing to shape the future of the automobile.

The motto coined by Gottlieb Daimler  - "The best or nothing" is thus the benchmark for the company's actions.

  The unique model range of Mercedes-Benz is the foundation of its success. From the A-Class to the S-Class, from the E-Class volume model to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the brand's models occupy prominent spots in the respective segments. With its vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is continuously presenting leading design characterized by persistence and a fascinating design idiom.

   Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, sums it up:  "The systematic advancement of ideas, the determination to keep improving and the firm belief in one's own success were not just outstanding qualities of Daimler AG's founders; 125 years later, these same traits continue to form the unshakable foundation of the company's philosophy today and point the way ahead for the future."

    Mercedes-Benz has since had around 80,000 pioneering inventions patented. 125 years ago, we invented the automobile. Today, our passion for new ideas is as strong as ever, as we work on everything from electric drive system to fuel cell technologies. Because 125 years from now, we still plan to be ahead of our time.

 

Milestone: 30 million Mercedes-Benz cars

   Right on time for the 125th anniversary of the automobile and after 65 years of post-war production, the Mercedes-Benz brand has reached a new milestone. 30 million automobiles with the three-pointed star have been delivered to customers since 1945.

   Dr. Dieter Zetsche:

    "This unit-sales jubilee is another major milestone in the history of our brand and demonstrates the popularity our cars have enjoyed for many decades with customers around the world." 

                                           
Mercedes-Benz says "Thank you"

   Starting in mid-August Mercedes-Benz will initiate activities in Stuttgart, planned to take place on several days and intended to enable members of the public to participate actively in the jubilee celebrations. An international soccer match between the German National Team and the Brazilian selection in the reconditioned Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart on August 10, 2011 will be the kick-off; Mercedes-Benz acting as "Sponsor of the day". On subsequent days Mercedes-Benz will offer multi-media performances, vehicle exhibitions and, both for young and old, a glimpse at the future of the motor car.

   This "Thank you" event will also be incorporated in the event calendar of the Automobile Summer of the State of Baden-Württemberg. In addition, this summer Mercedes-Benz, working in close cooperation with the international official Mercedes-Benz Clubs in Berlin is organizing the biggest Mercedes-Benz meeting of all times.

 

World tour of fuel cell vehicles to be started

   Firm evidence of the innovative strength of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz in the field of green technologies was sent on a world tour as part of the anniversary celebrations. Together with Chancellor Merkel, present and past racing drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard, and three Daimler engineer, Dr. Zetsche symbolically started the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive. Three B-Class cars with fuel-cell drive are to travel around the world in 125 days.

 

Patent granted for battery technology

   125 years after Carl Benz registered his patent and more than 80,000 patents later, Daimler was granted another technology patent during the anniversary celebrations. Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer, President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, presented Dr. Zetsche with the patent certificate for the so-called bipolar flat-cell frame. This technology is now in the development stage at Daimler and is potentially a further step along the way to the industrialization of lithium-ion batteries.

 

 

Blue EFFICIENCY symbolizes the brand's holistic approach to environmental protection. The Mercedes-Benz range already features a broad spectrum of particularly fuel-efficient Blue EFFICIENCY models today. The S 400 HYBRID is the first production hybrid vehicle worldwide with a lithium-ion battery and also the most economical luxury saloon with a petrol engine. A particularly clean diesel technology is used in the E 350 BlueTEC. The new A-Class E-Cell and the B-Class F-CELL, which will be available in small series beginning in 2010, will get by without any fossil fuels at all.

 

 

AMG

   The cultivated sportiness demonstrated by Mercedes-Benz is further underscored by AMG, its performance brand. Known today as Mercedes-AMG GmbH, the company, which has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG since 2005, develops proprietary high-performance engines, chassis, and transmissions, as well as special equipment for the sporty and exclusive customization of Mercedes-Benz series-production vehicles. Last but not least, AMG has been largely responsible for the development of the new SLS AMG super sports car. As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz is also keeping the brand's fascinating tradition alive as established by Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz.

 

SAFETY:

 

Safety research - tradition and responsibility

   Safety has always been a top priority at Mercedes-Benz. All of our pioneering inventions for enhancing vehicle safety are the result of intense research and development. Many innovative technologies that first entered series production in a Mercedes-Benz car have been helping to define all aspects of automotive development to the present day. These technologies include the anti-lock braking system (ABS, 1978), the airbag (1981), and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®, 1995). Today, Brake Assist Plus with PRE-SAFE® Brake, the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and a host of other assistance systems make Mercedes-Benz vehicles the world's safest automobiles. The brand's claim to leadership as a symbol of the tangible combination of fascination, perfection, and responsibility determines the actions throughout the company and thus extends far beyond vehicles and technologies. As an example, numerous awards and top scores in dealer and service benchmark studies are proof of the high quality of customer care at Mercedes-Benz.

 

Using real-life accidents as a basis we concentrate equally on:

-          Accident prevention, minimizing the severity of accidents and individualized occupant protection. All of our activities are conducted in line with findings from real-life accidents. Only with this approach can we develop effective safety systems that go far beyond legal requirements.

-          Pioneer and forerunner in developing safety innovations we aim to offer our customers the world's safest cars and also contribute, for example, to the safety of other road users through measures such as those designed to protect pedestrians. We regard this as part of our social responsibility and as a key milestone on the road toward achieving accident-free driving.

 

Automobiles that "think and see".
   In the future, a variety of sensors will enable cars to "think" along with drivers, advise them of critical situations, and independently initiate appropriate reactions, if necessary. Through these measures we intend to help drivers do their job better and, above all, in a more relaxed way. Active and passive safety systems are merging more and more into integrated and holistic protection and assistance systems. We will continue our pioneering tradition of innovation in order to steadily increase the safety of our vehicles and provide safe mobility

on a sustainable basis.

 

 

Safety Systems:

 

-          Adaptive High Beam Assistant The system automatically adjusts the range of the headlights to the distance of illuminated oncoming vehicles or to the vehicles ahead.

-          ATTENTION ASSIST This fatigue recognition technology uses sensors to determine that a driver is fatigued and instructs him or her to stop and rest in time to prevent risks.

-          Pedestrian protection In the event of an accident, a spring system raises the rear of the active bonnet within milliseconds by 50 millimeters, enlarging the deformation space.

-          Speed limit assistant The assistance system recognizes speed limit signs in real time and reminds the driver of the current speed limit.

-          Occupant protection To protect occupants, the vehicle's front deformation zone functions on several levels and is therefore even more effective because the collision impact is distributed over a large area and diverted away from the occupant cell.

-          PRE-SAFE® In critical driving situations, this preventive occupant protection system activates measures within fractions of a second to protect the vehicle occupants.

-          PRE-SAFE® brake In the event of an imminent accident, the PRE-SAFE® brake applies full braking power, enabling it to considerably reduce collision impact.

-          Lane Assistant This assistance system detects the lane markings on the road surface and warns the driver whose vehicle inadvertently drifts out of his or her lane.

-          Blind spot assistant The system uses radar technology to monitor the area immediately beside and behind the car. It warns drivers if a lane change is too risky.

 

 

Strategy for sustainable mobility :

 

Our strategy combines all activities related to the vehicle and drive system that are designed to conserve resources and minimize emissions throughout the entire value creation process:

-          Optimization of the vehicles with state-of-the-art combustion engines.

-          Further increase in efficiency by means of tailored hybridization measures with various performance classes and for different applications.

-          Driving with zero local emissions using either fuel cell or battery technology.

-          Daimler also is committed to the use of clean alternative fuels.

 

We are exploiting all possibilities to improve our vehicles and drive systems:

 

Optimization of vehicles with state-of-the-art internal combustion engines

Blue EFFICIENCY models - rollout started in 2008; now more than 66 models available from Mercedes-Benz. This figure will increase to 85 models by the end of 2010. The outstanding comfort and level of safety typical of Mercedes vehicles remains unchanged. The potential harbored in all development areas is being tapped, from lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamics to the electrification of ancillary components. Fuel savings of more than 20 % are possible with Blue EFFICIENCY models.

 

Hybridization of vehicles with efficient combustion engines

   We have developed a modular hybrid system to meet customer requirements with tailored solutions: Hybrid modules of various performance classes and batteries can be combined with our most frequently produced gasoline and diesel engines. From the user-friendly start-stop function to energy boosting/recovery to purely electric driving.

Another option is the plug-in HYBRID, in which batteries can be recharged at normal power outlets in order to increase their "electric" range. This development was kicked off in 2009 by the S 400 HYBRID with lithium-ion battery and by the ML 450 HYBRID, which was de-signed specifically for the U.S. market. Showing the future of the modular hybrid system is the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, the first "three-litre car" in the upper-range segment. Under NEDC conditions, this near-series model consumes only 3.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers while emitting only 74 g of CO2 per kilometer*.

 ( *preliminary testing )

 

Local zero emission driving: Electric vehicles with a fuel cell or battery

   Electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor. Different power sources: Electricity comes from rechargeable batteries, or a fuel cell supplies power to the battery and the electric motor. Both fuel cell and battery electric vehicles are quiet, highly efficient, and produce no local emissions. A large test fleet of our electric vehicles is already in use by our customers around the world.

-          The BlueZERO concept takes advantage of the sandwich architecture to offer three models, each with a different drive system configuration:

-          BlueZERO E-CELL with battery electric drive

-          BlueZERO F-CELL with fuel cell

-          BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with an electric drive and supplemental internal combustion engine serving as an electrical generator (range extender).

 

Fast, high-precision piezo direct injection ensures greater fuel savings, and therefore lower emissions compared to conventional combustion processes.

-          BlueEFFICIENCY package is a package of measures that is applied differently depending on the vehicle model. The individual measures include such things as lightweight construction, intelligent energy management or the ECO start-stop function, which is already offered in the A- and B-Class.

-          BlueTEC is a technology for the world?s cleanest diesels. It is a modular concept that combines minimizing untreated emissions within the engine with effective exhaust treatment.

-          BlueTEC HYBRID we believe the combination of a hybrid module and the clean diesel technology offers great potential. This technology reduces both fuel consumption and emissions while simultaneously improving performance.

-          DIESOTTO is the innovative petrol engine with "diesel genes" features lots of power but also low fuel consumption. It combines the new homogenous charge combustion system with features including direct injection and turbocharging.

-          Electric vehicles with fuel cell and battery relying on different power sources - fuel cell or battery - the electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz provide highly efficient driving that produces zero local emissions. F-Cell stands for fuel cell electric vehicles, E-Cell for battery electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. The car with range extender is also counted among the electric vehicles. In this automobile, a small combustion engine serves as a generator that charges the battery while the vehicle is in motion, thus increasing the range. This drive system was first seen in one of the Blue ZERO models and is referred to as E-CELL PLUS.

-          Hybrid drive | HYBRID the combination of efficient combustion engines with a hybrid module reduces fuel consumption considerably, especially in stop-and-go city driving, while simultaneously offering superior performance.

-          Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems are a key technology for all forms of electrification. The lithium-ion battery is more compact, more powerful, has a longer service life, and is more reliable than other types of batteries.

 

"The best or nothing"  Gottlieb Daimler