Based on the latest Mercedes E-Class, Brabus ZERO EMISSION, a business
division of Brabus, has developed the fully operational Brabus High Performance
4WD Full Electric concept car. The all-wheel-drive vehicle, which celebrates its
world debut at the 2011 IAA, accelerates from 0 - 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and
reaches a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h) - and all without emitting as much as
a single gram of CO2. A powerful 56-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides an
operating range of up to 217 miles (350 kilometers).
The concept car is
powered by four wheel hub motors, delivering 430 hp (320 kW) of power and a peak
torque of 2,360 lb-ft (3,200 Nm).
There are plans for a small-series production run of this
unique automobile, but the price has not yet been disclosed.
Powered by Four Wheel Hub Motors
For more than three decades
Brabus has ranked as one the top addresses worldwide for exclusive
high-performance automobiles. Since 2008 the Brabus ZERO EMISSION business
division of Brabus, recognized by the German Federal Motor Vehicle Department as
an automobile manufacturer, deals with the development of vehicle concepts for
alternative-drive cars.
For
the electric drive of the Brabus High Performance 4WD Full Electric the Brabus
vehicle and electrical engineers decided on four wheel hub motors from English
manufacturer Protean ELECTRIC.
A low weight of just 68 pounds (31
kilograms), a compact diameter of only 16.5 inches (42 centimeters) and a
thickness of merely 4.5 in. (11.5 centimeters) make these motors perfectly
suited for this project. They are positioned in the Brabus Monoblock Q wheels in
size 8.5Jx19 front and back.
With a peak power of 107 hp (80 kW) and a
peak torque of 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) in Sport mode these motors are ideal for
meeting the high-performance requirements that Brabus is renowned for. In
recuperation mode under braking each of the motors contributes up to 93 hp (70
kW) to the energy recovery system and therefore to recharging the batteries.
The concept car is equipped with an electro-hydraulic Brabus brake system
that was custom developed for this type of drive layout. The four vented bake
discs are attached to the rear of the wheel hub motors, and gripped by two
internal brake calipers each.
Controlling the four wheel hub motors
presented a special challenge. They are coordinated by a high-tech electronic
control unit and give the E-Class sedan an innovative all-wheel-drive system
that defies any kind of weather and all road surface conditions. But that's not
all: the independent drive of each wheel provides the vehicle with torque
vectoring capabilities, the active controlling of the yaw angle, for impressive
driving dynamics and particularly safe handling.
Despite its enormous
performance potential the wheel hub drive is particularly ecofriendly because of
its carbon neutrality. Based on the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), energy
consumption of all four motors combined is a low 0.24 kWh/km (0.38 kWh/mile),
giving the car an NEDC operating range of some 150 miles (240 kilometers). In
Eco mode, which is more than sufficient for normal operations, a continuous
output of 268 hp (200 kW) allows operating ranges of up to 217 miles (350
kilometers) without recharging.
This substantial operating range is the
credit of the powerful 56-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The individual cells,
connected via state-of-the-art power electronics, were placed in various
locations throughout the entire Mercedes E-Class body to achieve optimal weight
distribution. The space gained under the hood by eliminating the conventional
engine is utilized for the cells as is the now superfluous driveshaft tunnel and
the areas that normally house the fuel tank and the spare wheel.
External
charging of the battery pack is handled by two separate systems. For the garage
at home there is a quick charger for ecofriendly eco electricity from German
energy company RWE. After one-and-a-half hours of being plugged into the 380 V
three-phase grid with a charging capacity of 50 kW the eco sedan again has an
operating range of 217 miles (350 km). For charging on the road at any normal
220 V AC outlet or on a 380 V three-phase outlet the car is equipped with an
integrated charger that recharges the batteries fully in five hours.
Exterior Design
The strong performance and low energy consumption
also benefit from the aerodynamic efficiency of the Brabus
aerodynamic-enhancement components, which were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel.
The Brabus front fascia lends the E-Class sedan a more slipstreamed nose and
reduces lift on the front axle, contributing to outstanding directional
stability. The integrated LED daytime running lights are extremely economical
but ensure that the Brabus High Performance 4WD Full Electric is recognizable
from afar.
Brabus aluminum front sport fenders with integrated
clear-coated carbon-fiber inserts create a distinctly sporty look. The Brabus
side skirts calm the airflow between the wheel wells and feature highly
convenient, visually striking LED entrance lights.
The Brabus Monoblock Q
19-inch wheels are mounted with high-performance tires from technology partners
Continental, Pirelli or YOKOHAMA in size 245/35 ZR19 front and back.
Interior Design
The interior of the concept car is supplemented by a
special instrument cluster, which provides the driver with the most essential
information about the battery, the electric motors and other driving parameters
such as speed etc. A new center console housing the controls an electric vehicle
requires was manufactured as well.
The ergonomically shaped Brabus sport
steering wheel and aluminum pedals and footrest add sporty highlights.
Stainless-steel scuff plates with backlit Brabus High Performance 4WD Full
Electric logo and velour floor mats sporting the identical marks are further
exclusive accessories.