Trade.Information

Product Name: 2009 Hybrid

Product Description

# Mercedes S-Class Hybrid In September 2009, Mercedes will begin to sell a hybrid version of its luxury S-Class sedan—the first hybrid to use lighter and more powerful lithium ion batteries. (Europe will see the vehicle earlier in the summer.) The company promises 30 miles per gallon—a 20 percent fuel economy improvement over the conventional S400. The lithium battery may be leading edge technology but it’s offered at a bleeding edge cost: The S-Class starts at about $88,000—so expect the Mercedes hybrid to cost about $30,000 more than the only other luxury hybrid sedan on the market, the V8 Lexus GS 450h. The Lexus, with a whopping 430 horsepower from its hybrid V8 powertrain, will outperform the Mercedes S400 Hybrid’s combined electric and gas rating of 295 horsepower and top speed of 155 miles per hour. Bear in mind that the Lexus GS only managed 23 miles to the gallon. The Mercedes S400 Hybrid will be the first in a series of hybrids expected from the company in coming years. # New Dedicated Lexus Hybrid In July 2008, the Nikkei, the Japanese business daily newspaper, reported that Lexus will unveil a new hybrid-only model at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. According to the story, Lexus plans to produce whopping 100,000 units of the vehicle in 2009. It’s part of Toyota’s plan to revamp a number of manufacturing facilities as it gears up to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles annually. The new Lexus hybrid will carry either a 2.0- or 2.5-liter engine, and will be tuned for maximum efficiency—but no other details are known about the vehicle. A luxury sedan with fuel efficiency in the mid-40s or higher could be a winner. # Saturn Vue Green Line Two-Mode The current Saturn Vue Green Line uses a version of hybrid technology, known as stop-start, which shuts down the gasoline engine at idle. That mild hybrid technology produces a fuel economy improvement of about 25 percent over its conventional counterparts. Not bad. But the next Saturn Vue Green Line—the “two-mode” hybrid version scheduled to begin production in late 2008—promises a 45 to 50 percent bump in fuel efficiency. That’s huge. The front-wheel drive Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid could get combined fuel economy in the high-20s or low-30s. At the same time, the Vue Two-Mode will offer a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The mild-hybrid Vue Green Line and full two-mode hybrid version will be sold side by side. Pricing is expected just below $30,000. # Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid Hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are expected in 2009—but there’s very little word from Ford about these vehicles. The rumor mill says that the cars, Ford’s first hybrid sedans, will use a 2.5-liter engine to yield 200 horsepower. The entire 2009 Fusion lineup will receive a design refresh, including new headlines and front grille and a complete redesign of the interior. The hybrid drivetrain will be based on the Ford Escape and Mariner hybrids. Expect the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid to receive a 15 to 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to the gas-only versions. # BMW 7-Series Hybrid BMW launched its new 7-series in Paris and unveiled a hybrid concept version which will cut fuel use by 15 percent. It combines a V8 engine with electric drive with a mild hybrid system