Emirates Motor Company (EMC), general distributors for Mercedes-Benz in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has sold 35 units of Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrids to the Abu Dhabi market in 2009.

“The regulatory efforts by the government to push residents to think green and reduce carbon monoxide emissions for a healthier and sustainable planet have successfully penetrated Abu Dhabi and EMC is proud to contribute to this campaign with the new Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHybrid,” said Irfan Tansel, general manager of EMC, the flagship company of Al Fahim Group.

Combining the modified V6 petrol engine with a compact hybrid module makes the S 400 BlueHybrid the world’s most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine, a statement said.

The vehicle’s fuel consumption is a mere 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This makes for the world's lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - 190 grams per kilometre, according to the statement.

The S400 BlueHybrid accelerates from zero to 100 km/hr in 7.2 seconds, and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/hr.

“Almost 12 per cent of our customers are curious to learn about the energy-saving luxury vehicle,” said Tansel.

“Although only officially arriving into our market in the third quarter of 2009, the BlueHybrid Mercedes-Benz has gained great popularity within the government sector and local community where we now have 35 S400 hybrid drive system vehicles roaming the roads of the capital and the oasis city, Al Ain,” he added.

The S400 BlueHybrid is the first Mercedes-Benz model equipped with a particularly efficient lithium-ion battery specially developed for automotive use.

The hybrid module also has a comfortable start/stop function, which switches the engine off when the vehicle is at a standstill – for example at traffic lights. When it's time to move off again, the electric motor almost imperceptibly restarts the main power unit.

The newly opened EMC Service Center in Mussafah, the world’s largest Mercedes-Benz facility, has been equipped with high-voltage (HV) systems to maintain tools and equipment to look after hybrid vehicles.

“We have 27 workshop staff who have earned Hybrid product training, Hybrid sensitization training and HV training and qualification,” said Dennis Holland, EMC general after-sales manager.

The Hybrid Sensitisation and HV & Qualification Trainings are aimed at preparing technicians on how to work on HV systems safely.

“While training on and working with alternative drive systems, the safety of our workshop personnel is our first concern and must be ensured when handling HV systems.”

The training process starts with HV awareness, initial information on HV and the dangers the system can present. Further training qualifies them to work directly on the HV system.

The aim of the HV qualification is to impart fundamental skills in repairing HV systems and product training on the relevant vehicle. After passing both modules, the workshop specialist is then authorised to carry out work on the HV system.

“These protective measures were employed for the S400 Hybrid and form the basis for HV safety in next-generation hybrid, fuel cell and electrically powered vehicles,” Holland concluded. – TradeArabia News Service