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Mechanical Technology — October 2016
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Innovative engineering
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The Intelligent Hybrid operating strategy ensures that lithium-ion battery can take maximum advantage of
recuperation opportunities provided by the route.
Radar based recuperation adjusts battery regeneration based on traffic conditions, coasting in free flowing
traffic and immediately decelerating when it detects decreasing following distances.
sumption by providing feedback via pedal
resistance. Neither of us could feel this
resistance, but we later determined that
we were in the wrong mode, it is only ac-
tive in electric mode or in economy mode,
when the Eco Assist function is active.
How does it work? When driving in
electric mode, the driver’s foot meets
a point of resistance on the accelerator
pedal when maximum all-electric per-
formance is reached. Pushing through
that resistance is like clicking ‘Yes’ to the
question: “Do you want the combustion
engine to kick in?” We were in Sports
mode, so we were not asked this ques-
tion. It would have been annoying.
A double impulse signal is also incor-
porated, which tells the driver to lift off
the accelerator pedal to switch off and
decouple the combustion engine from
the drive train. This allows the C350e’s
engine management system to automati-
cally decelerate using data from the car’s
radar systems. We did notice some of this
when our following distance decreased
coming into a queue.
In support of anticipatory driving, the
best strategy for efficiency, Mercedes
has also enabled the navigation system
to be connected to the engine manage-
ment system. When an exact destination
and route is entered into the navigation
system, charge and discharge of the
C350e’s high-voltage battery is con-
trolled to ensure the optimal use of energy
over the whole route – taking into account
both stop-start portions of the journey as
well as road elevation data.
Needless to say, the infotainment,
comfort and safety levels are faultless.
The vehicle has Airmatic air suspen-
sion as standard with electronically
regulated continuously variable damper
adjustment; Attention Assist, which can
warn of inattentiveness and fatigue; and
Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which
protects against collision at speeds of
over 7.0 km/h and, if the danger remains
and the driver fails to react, undertakes
autonomous braking at speeds of up to
200 km/h.
The price? R804 900 – but the
C350e is exempt from CO
2
emission tax
and comes with a six-year/100 000 km
PremiumDrive maintenance plan.
Proudly manufactured in South
Africa
“With a total investment of around R100-
million in our Mercedes-Benz East Lon-
don plant, the Hybrid project comprised
of more than 500 new purchase parts, of
which 200 were local, including signifi-
cant changes to the bumpers and wiring
harnesses,” says Florian Seidler, Co-CEO
of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and ex-
ecutive director of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“This investment further demonstrates
the company’s commitment to the
advancement of technology and skills
development in the country,” he adds.
Following the celebration in May
2015 of the millionth vehicle produced,
the successful manufacture of the first
C350e sedan at the award-winning
Mercedes-Benz East London plant is
another milestone in the company’s il-
lustrious 68-year history.
Logistics division’s project man-
agement specialist, Liebrecht Otto,
confirmed that all employees and con-
tractors involved with the manufacture
of these hybrid units were specifically
trained to safely work with high voltage
components.
“Instructors from TÜV SÜD, an
international service corporation focus-
ing on consulting, testing, certification
and training, were brought in to the
plant to ensure that we met the highest
international safety standards. We have
now set the benchmark in South Africa
for safety, as we do for quality. From a
facility perspective, to accommodate
some of the additional work content, we
installed a new Lifter and High Station
in the Assembly area. Additionally, we