New York Auto Show: New Mercedes hybrid is too darned big!

European carmakers have been slow to adopt hybrids, and the new Mercedes entry is not exactly game-changing: It's too heavy to be truly fuel-efficient. But five stars for Dianne Reeves!

Fri, Apr 10 2009 at 3:43 PM

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Hybrid Cars, Alternative Transportation

The gargantuan Mercedes ML450. (Credit: Mercedes-Benz)

What is it about the Germans (indeed, most Europeans) that causes them to not really get the hybrid thing? Mercedes-Benz has finally come out with a hybrid, but it’s too darned big!

At the New York International Auto Show, Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, pulled the covers off the new 2010 ML450, the company’s first full hybrid vehicle and to be sold exclusively in the U.S. and Canada. Did I say it was too darned big? And did I mention that the greatest jazz singer in the world, Dianne Reeves, sang a love song to it (“Better Than Anything”)?

A pair of electric motors is integrated into the transmission and combined with a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 to produce 335 horsepower. There’s also a 2.4-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Ernst touted that the hybrid has “88 percent of the power and 94 percent of the torque of the V-8 versions, but uses 50 percent less fuel.” Well, yes, but it’s not exactly fuel efficient at 21 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.

The hybrid uses the two-mode system developed in conjunction with GM, Chrysler and BMW—who mostly put it in big SUVs, too. With a standard ML350 you can get 15/20 mpg, so there isn’t a huge difference.

Mercedes is also hybridizing another big Benz to create the S400 BlueHybrid. I think the company should instead consider a gas-electric version of its tiny A-Class, which would probably be good for 40-50 mpg. The Germans think we're permanently stuck in big SUV mode, while they cheerfully keep the innovative small stuff over in Europe. An A-class hybrid would be a lot cheaper, too, and I’d sit up and take notice.

Here's what the new big Benz looks like on the road:

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Comments: 3

Guest Aug 06 2009 at 4:00 AM

Maybe we should stop questioning about the size. For me it's a stunning vehicle. I love just the way it is. It's pretty and hot. Still it's an SUV. But I wonder why this car has no nerf bars!

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Guest Apr 14 2009 at 8:47 AM

I like it and quite frankly I don't believe all Americans are going to go to small cars just because the Green Community says they should. I love my Honda CRV and I'll want another CRV. I have two grandchildren who I love beyond all measures - as do many others their own families. When put up against a big truck on today's highways, what will be safer, a tiny car or something much more solid like this Mercedes? As Green as I have become over the last few years and my next car will be a Hybrid, but

.... More

I want the choice of something larger and safer. I still think we should have the right to decide what cars we want to drive, what decisions we make and as long as these cars are well made, as long as I'm paying the bill and the car is more environmentally clean - then why shouldn't the auto makers make what the consumer wants? Or do you honestly think anyone has the right to tell others what they can purchase? I respect your right to your opinion, but You can only go so far!