New details on U.S. Smart ForTwo EV testing

In July last year Smart unveiled three new concept versions of its second-generation ForTwo minicar, all based around an ultra-efficient electric drivetrain. The trio included a regular petrol-electric hybrid, a diesel-electric hybrid and a zero-emissions electric vehicle.

This third concept, the all-electric ForTwo, featured a 40hp (30kW) motor powered by a sodium-nickel-chloride battery and could drive up to 71mi (115km) on a single charge. Testing of a similar vehicle, set to begin in the U.S. and Europe next year, will involve the installation hundreds of power stations at test locations, with Italian firm Enel building 400 for one test location, reports Auto Motor & Sport.

The power stations will be constructed in huge numbers in all of the major test sites - Berlin alone will get 500 of the stations by the end of 2009. The widespread availability of the electrical grid and the relatively small footprint of the 'pumps' where the cars interface with the electrical charging cord make such rapid and numerous expansions possible.

Since early 2008, Smart has been conducting official tests of the electric ForTwo in the UK, and the car will be headed to California and will commence U.S. testing next year. Initial U.S. testing will involve about 100 of the cars.

The U.S. version is expected to feature a second-generation electric drive system with lighter and more efficient lithium-ion batteries. Consuming just 12kw-hours per 100km, the average cost of running the car is around two and a half cents per mile and it takes just 5.7 seconds to accelerate from rest to a reasonable driving pace of 60km/h.

If the tests prove successful, Smart exec Anders Jensen says the zero-emissions vehicle could enter production very quickly.

Several Mercedes plant workers accused of corruption

Several employees at a Mercedes plant in Sindelfinger, Germany, are under investigation for corruption and bribery

Several employees of the Mercedes Benz plant in Sindelfinger are under investigation, following allegations of corruption and bribery, according to a number of German news sources. The beginning of a preliminary investigation was confirmed by the Stuttgart public prosecutor's office on Sunday, although no charges have been laid as of yet against the employees.

The first report of the allegations came from the German news magazine Focus, which reported that several employees had been caught intentionally producing defective cars. By producing these defective cars, Daimler's internal quality control measures would require an external company to repair the cars, and essentially the employees were drumming up business for this firm, with the firm allegedly providing rewards of expensive gifts and overseas holidays in return.

The preliminary investigation is attempting to ascertain whether the employees had in fact produced defective cars intentionally, however Daimler has already come out with a statement stating that there are no defective cars on the market, or defective parts. From what we can gather, this makes sense as the employees were allegedly producing defective cars with the key purpose of having them repaired by this external firm, and not with the purpose of intentionally releasing defective cars to market.

While there are no concrete facts or figures as to the number of defective vehicles produced, one German news source estimated that the losses incurred by Mercedes could be in the millions of Euros range.

Mercedes to include BLK SUV in upcoming B-Class

Earlier this year it was revealed that Mercedes-Benz was halting production of the current A-Class and B-Class after the current cycle and replacing the two aging models with a new family of small vehicles ranging from cabrios to sports coupes. We reported that this replacement would entail a whole new family of models consisting of four distinct variations, including a cabriolet, a coupe, a people mover and a soft-roader. Now Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that at least three of these variations will be made for the replacement B-Class, including a hatchback, a mini-MPV and a soft roader.

The soft roader will be known as the BLK, and CAR is reporting that it will be available in two trim levels - 'Street', for the majority of purchasers who don't actually require any SUV-capabilities, and 'Nature', which will be for those who intend to take the BLK into a more rough and tumble sort of environment. There has also been speculation that despite its off roader marketing, only the top of the range BLK models will actually have a 4WD system, while the base spec models would stick to front wheel drive. This will keep weight and costs down, and improve mileage figures for the end consumer. Weight for the range topping model will be approaching 3,500lb (1600kg), while the entry level model should be closer to 2,970lb (1350kg).

Currently, Mercedes has outlined a number of powerplants for the BLK, with many of them lifted straight out of the C-Class. There are expected to be three petrol versions and three diesel versions, and while the petrol and diesel models will share similar horsepower outputs, it is the diesel models that will return superior torque and mileage.

For example, the petrol BLK 180, with its 1.8L engine, will have 136hp (101kW) and 140lb-ft (190Nm) of torque, while the diesel BLK 180 CDI will also have 136hp but almost 30% more torque at 200lb-ft (271Nm). Similar results are found when comparing the other petrol engines in the range to the diesels:
- the 2.0L petrol BLK 200 has 177hp (132kW) and 214lb-ft (290Nm) of torque, while the 2.0L diesel BLK 200 CDI has 170hp (127kW) and 295 lb-ft (400Nm).
- the 2.2L petrol BLK 220 has 224hp (167kW) and 258lb ft of torque (349Nm), and the diesel BLK 220 CDI has 204hp (152) and 355lb-ft (480Nm).