Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid 4Matic available only for lease

Posted on November 17th, 2009 by Andy | Posted under: Mercedes-Benz

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ml450-hybrid-3 The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid 4Matic will be available from this week in U.S. Its two-mode hybrid system is co-developed between GM, Daimler, BMW and Chrysler.

Very soon we will see the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid in showroom with the same system.

Tw-mode transmission built by Mercedes will be featured also in the X6 ActiveHybrid. Even though both cars are by a German company they are built in the States.

What’s also interesting, is that you can’t buy the ML450, MB is only offering lease for this new Hybrid SUV, either 36 or 60 months at $659 or $549 per month. As most people lease their cars anyway this probably won’t change anyones mind.

The new Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, optimized via the Atkinson cycle, two magneto-electric motors and sophisticated hybrid electronics to produce 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model.

Integrated within the modified automatic transmission, each electric motor serves a specific purpose. Dedicated to pulling away under electric power, the motor on the transmission output shaft generates 80 hp and 192 lb.-ft of torque.

Located closer to the gasoline engine, the second electric motor is set up specifically for acceleration and is rated at 83 hp and 173 lb.-ft of torque. Working with both electric motors when full power is needed, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system performance of 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque.

During parking and low-speed operation, the ML450 HYBRID runs on the electric drive only. The ML450 HYBRID can drive solely on electric power up to a maximum speed of 34 mph.

During braking and coasting, the electric motor acts as a generator, slowing the SUV and recovering kinetic energy. Under heavy braking, the vehicle’s conventional brakes also come into play. Recovered energy is stored in the battery and re-used whenever the SUV runs only on the electric motors.