Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce more than 40 new models in a period of less than three years ending in 2027, with development spanning hybrid engines, 800-volt electric powertrains and new battery technologies.

The programme includes an electrically assisted turbocharger for its 1.5-litre petrol engine and plans to extend its modular 800V electric architecture to the E-Class and S-Class.

“No technology shapes the character of a vehicle as much as the powertrain, whether fully electric or hybrid,” said Jörg Bartels, Vice President, Powertrain Development, Mercedes-Benz AG.
“Our customers around the world have different needs and expectations.”

Mercedes-Benz uses anonymised data from billions of kilometres travelled by connected vehicles to guide development, including acceleration behaviour, towing and hill starts.
Powertrain combinations are simulated before undergoing bench testing under different loads and temperatures, followed by testing in vehicles.

Shared components underpin both its combustion-engine and electric programmes, while the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS, integrates vehicle functions across powertrain types.

The electric architecture draws on the VISION EQXX development programme and spans the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLB, GLA, GLC and C-Class.
CarSauce has previously covered the CLA’s hybrid and electric range and the electric C-Class.

Its in-house-developed EDU 2.0 electric drive unit combines an 800V electrical system, a silicon-carbide inverter and a two-speed gearbox with a dog clutch.

On the combustion side, the new M252 LS develops the existing 1.5-litre petrol engine further, with output listed at 170kW plus 23kW.
Its electric exhaust-gas turbocharger has a 5kW output and runs from the vehicle’s 48V electrical system.

The turbocharger draws on technology developed in Formula 1, through collaboration with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, England.
It can also recover exhaust energy as electricity, while two additional Lanchester balance shafts are intended to reduce engine vibration.

Mercedes-Benz claims the M252 LS-powered GLB 250 accelerates around one-tenth of a second faster than its M260-powered predecessor while producing around 17 per cent fewer CO₂ emissions.
Final WLTP figures for the new vehicle are not yet available.

New battery chemistry and solid-state testing

Mercedes-Benz is also developing battery chemistries intended to reduce reliance on cobalt and nickel while improving energy density and cost.

One approach combines lithium manganese oxide with nickel manganese cobalt oxide.
Another uses lithium nickel manganese oxide, or LNMO, which would eliminate cobalt and require less nickel than current NMC cells.

The company says LNMO cells could operate at up to five volts and potentially deliver up to 30 per cent more range than lithium iron phosphate batteries at comparable weight and packaging space.
That remains a development prospect rather than a production-vehicle range figure.

Solid-state work is progressing with Factorial Energy and ProLogium.
An EQS development vehicle fitted with a lithium-metal solid-state battery developed with Factorial travelled 1205km from Stuttgart to Malmö without recharging.

Mercedes-Benz is now assessing next-generation solid-state cells, including ProLogium’s Gen4 technology, for performance, safety and thermal behaviour.
Those tests are intended to establish their suitability for future series production.

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