Mercedes-Benz creates Lexus hybrid fighter

Lexus has been making big claims for the economy and emissions of its soon-to-be-released RX 450h but the Japanese firm is about to be joined in the hybrid luxury SUV segment by Mercedes-Benz. The German company has released the first details of its new ML 450 Hybrid ahead of its launch in the United States in the third quarter this year.

The bad news for Australians is that America is the focus for the ML hybrid for the foreseeable future. Any local launch of the car is considered unlikely in the next two years according to the company.

"No [local introduction], not at the moment," says Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, Peter Fadeyev. "It's primarily for the US market because they have a big market for SUVs and luxury cars."

He says the local arm is interested in the car though, despite facing a long wait.

"We've been investigating it for our market and we'd be keen to get in the line-up."

The ML is the second Hybrid Mercedes has announced this month following the S 400 Hybrid (more here) and is a part of the companies staged introduction of the fuel saving technology.

Fadeyev admits that Australia is likely to see both models in local showrooms eventually with the sedan leading the way.

"There's a greater likelihood in the future we'll see the hybrid S Class before we see the hybrid ML," he says.

The ML 450 Hybrid uses two-mode hybrid technology to achieve Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) classification. Power comes from a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 205kW and 350Nm. Mercedes has employed the same Atkinson principle Lexus uses on the RX 450h to help achieve its economy and emission reductions.

Two electric motors are used, one positioned near the engine and producing 62kW and 235Nm; another located near the transmission to produce 60kW and 260Nm. A nickel-metal hydride battery stores the electrical energy -- up to 288-volts -- and is located in the rear of the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz is claiming fuel economy and CO2 emissions cuts of up to 60 per cent. Fuel consumption is 11.1L/100km in the city and 9.7L/100km under highway conditions. That is well short of the 6.4L/100km Lexus is reporting for the RX 450h on a combined cycle.