BlueZERO is 'A' class concept

BlueZERO was the star of Mercedes-Benz's presence at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). While it shared an official double billing with the fifth and last iteration of the McLaren SLR supercar series, the SLR Sir Stirling Moss (more here), at a show where electrification was the buzz word, the compact five-door 'E-CELL' battery electric vehicle (BEV) scored the lion's share of attention.

In part this was because the BlueZERO range will be the first series production electric zero-emission passenger vehicles to be marketed under the three-pointed star by the German giant. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the E-CELL BlueZERO will go into production, albeit in limited numbers, before the end of 2009. Further down the track, the BlueZERO series will be completed by F-CELL (hydrogen fuel cell) and E-CELL PLUS range-extended BEV versions.

While the E-Cell promises travel range of up to 200km, the fuel cell version will deliver up to 400km between fills of its high-pressure hydrogen tank. The E-CELL PLUS packs much of the same electrical infrastructure of the BlueZERO BEV, but will also use a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine (the one-litre unit from the smart fortwo) in concert with a generator to provide a range of about 600km -- 100km of which is on electric power alone.

The BlueZERO vehicles leverage Mercedes' long running research into fuel-cells and electric vehicle infrastructure, plus the more recent move to enter Lithium Ion battery production in its own right.

According to Benz's most senior engineering executives, the claims made for the performance of the BlueZERO vehicles are conservative. Indeed, their faith in the ability of the vehicles' mechanicals and performance means Mercedes will not go down the path proposed by companies like Nissan where consumers buy the vehicle and lease the batteries.

Nissan suggests such a policy would allow consumers to benefit from the fast paced development of batteries at little cost increment (more here). Mercedes's Vice President for Passenger Car Engines and Powertrain, Dr Leopold Mikulic suggests Nissan's tack is indicative of the early stages of its own battery development in contrast to Mercedes'.

Electric dreams aside, the other component of the BlueZERO's attention grabbing equation was that it was also a clear indication of the direction of one of Mercedes key new models.

Peer through the BlueZERO's showcar glitz, aero rear wheel spats and wheel-covers and the plug-in electric drivetrain and you're looking at the next A-Class.

Though the A-Class will morph into a more conventional range of small cars by around 2012-13 (there's even confirmation from Benz senior management that AMG versions to take on the likes of the MINI Cooper JCW and Abarth Fiats, et al are under consideration), there's one final series in the works that will share its pioneering sandwich floor construction and three and five-door mini-MPV styling with the BlueZERO range.

With flanks that look like they are straight from a flame surfaced Bangle BMW, the third generation A-Class, it seems, will be a much better looking car than the current model. Though its dimensions appear largely unchanged, there's no doubting the more cohesive styling and less van-like roofline will help the car win more customers in conservative markets like Australia.

With BlueZERO on stream, the powertrain options will be wide. In a similar manner to the smart fortwo line-up, from 2010 through to the introduction of the 'new' A-Class, the A-Class/BlueZERO range will likely comprise a mix of conventional petrol and diesel models plus production versions of the E-CELL displayed at Detroit, the abovementioned F-CELL and E-CELL PLUS.