The Mercedes-Benz ML450is the first European full hybrid vehicle in the U.S.. The models of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class are among the world’s most successful premium SUVs and offer the highest possible active and passive safety, the best in driving and user comfort, uncompromising operational safety and reliability. In the search for the optimum hybrid system for the Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid, the engineers were already sure of one thing right from the concept phase: a Mercedes-Benz SUV with a hybrid drive would have to share the same typical brand attributes as any other Mercedes vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid driving experience offers an impressive mix of high agility and balanced ride comfort under all operating conditions. A specially designed display concept enables the driver to keep track of the particular drive mode. To ensure you can experience the extraordinary agility of the Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid even more emphatically, apart from Economy mode, the model comes with a Sport mode, which is activated using the “E/S” button in the centre console.

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid offers the full range of extra functions offered by a hybrid drive. These include variable hybrid mode for city and motorway driving, silent, purely electric moving off and motoring, the “booster function” for fast acceleration, recuperation and the start/stop function.

The two compact electric motors boast a high power density and are fully integrated into the transmission housing. The limited installation space means the two electric motors have to be configured differently. The first electric motor – positioned nearer to the combustion engine – develops 62 kW (85 hp) and 235 newton metres of torque and has been designed with power output and minimal losses firmly in mind. The electric motor placed at the end of the transmission develops 60 kW (82 hp) and 260 newton metres and is thus the ideal solution for moving off solely under electric power and providing the booster function.

Source: Green Autoblog