The F 700 research vehicle presented at the IAA in Frankfurt combines the all-new DIESOTTO engine (175 kW/238 hp) with a 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module. The latter includes an electric motor configured as a starter-generator that backs up the combustion engine during initial acceleration and in stop-and-go traffic. It also recovers energy during braking. Thanks to this hybrid concept, the large touring sedan accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 7.5 seconds, while consuming only 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers.

The smart "micro hybrid drive" (mhd) was launched on the market in October 2007. The start/stop system used in the two-seater has lowered the fuel consumption of the economical three-cylinder gasoline engine (52 kW/71 hp) from 4.7 to 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to CO₂ emissions of 103 grams/kilometer.

smart also presented a diesel hybrid variant for the future at the IAA. Known as the smart cdi mhd, the vehicle is equipped with a closed particulate filter and sets new standards worldwide with fuel consumption of 2.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers and CO₂ emissions of only 78 grams/kilometer. What’s more, the hybrid’s emissions of all other exhaust components are lower than the levels required by the stringent EU5 standard.

The S 400 HYBRID, which will be launched in mid-2009 — initially in Europe — combines a V6 gasoline engine (205 kW/279 hp) with a 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module that delivers a maximum torque of 160 Nm. The combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and maximum torque of 375 Nm enable the vehicle to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 7.3 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

Despite this outstanding performance, the S 400 HYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the NEDC. This leads to very low CO2 emissions for a vehicle in this class (190 grams/kilometer). In fact, the S 400 HYBRID is the world's most fuel efficient luxury sedan with a gasoline engine.

The ML 450 HYBRID will be launched in 2009 as the world's most fuel efficient SUV gasoline hybrid in its class. Thanks to the vehicle's innovative two-mode hybrid system, it can be driven in the pure electric mode while still meeting the greatest demands regarding comfort. As far as fuel economy is concerned, the transmission, which houses two electric motors, has been optimized for both city and highway driving. With the help of an intelligent energy management system, the vehicle offers all the typical features of a full hybrid, including pure electric driving, a start/stop function, a booster effect that kicks in when the electric motors support the combustion engine, and brake energy recovery and storage.

The V6 gasoline engine delivers 205 kW/279 hp and a torque of 338 Nm, while the two-mode hybrid module with the electric motors provides an additional 45 kW/61 hp. The overall system thus has a total output of 250 kW/340 hp and a combined maximum torque of 480 Nm. At 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers, consumption of the ML 450 HYBRID with all-wheel drive is nevertheless low. Correspondingly, the CO2 emissions are only 185 grams/kilometer.

The new E-Class will be the first of three Mercedes-Benz models featuring a unique combination of BLUETEC, 7G-TRONIC transmission, and hybrid technology. In addition to a new 2.2-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 150 kW/204 hp and maximum torque of 480 Nm, the modular drive system concept behind the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, which will be launched in 2010, includes a compact hybrid module that delivers 15 kW/20 hp. As a result of the vehicle's high torque and impressive fuel economy, the diesel-BLUETEC system and the hybrid module can perform much more efficiently together than was possible in any previous gasoline-hybrid setup.

With the high combined torque of 560 Nm, the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID and its four-cylinder engine outperform many six-cylinder diesel models with displacement of three liters or more, while the vehicle also displays top driving quality. Moreover, fuel consumption of just 5.1 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of only 134 grams/kilometer will make the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID the most fuel efficient and cleanest business sedan in the world.

The S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, which is also scheduled to make its debut in 2010, has a maximum torque of 560 Nm, putting it on a par with the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID. However, in the S-Class version the exhaust treatment is handled by BLUETEC with the AdBlue additive, a technique that is particularly efficient when it comes to removing undesired nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx). The S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID therefore has the potential to meet the world’s most stringent emission limits worldwide, including the EU6 in Europe and BIN5 in the U.S.

With the help of its standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour. Despite this impressive performance, the vehicle consumes just 5.4 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to only 142 grams of CO₂ per kilometer. That’s 57 grams or around 30% less than the values currently achieved by the world's best sedan in the S-Class segment.

After 2010, Mercedes-Benz will launch another BLUETEC-hybrid combination offering great fuel economy and a high level of environmental friendliness without sacrificing anything in terms of superior driving performance. The S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID will achieve all these things by combining a 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module and a V6 diesel engine that has proved its worth in many Mercedes-Benz model series. Following further improvements, the V6 will be even more efficient and will be able to generate 180 kW/245 hp. In other words, the hybrid’s top output will be 195 kW/265 hp and its maximum combined torque 630 Nm.

Armed with this power package and a standard 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, the S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID will accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 7.3 seconds and have an electronically limited top speed of 250 kilometers per hour. The vehicle will be very efficient, consuming only 5.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, resulting in CO2 emissions of 154 grams/kilometer. The S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID will also use the same BLUETEC-AdBlue combination employed by the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, thereby enabling it to meet the world's most stringent emission limits.