Mercedes to launch lithium-ion hybrid in 2009

FRANKFURT, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Daimler's (DAIGn.DE) luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz, will launch an S-Class hybrid equipped with a lithium-ion battery next year in what Daimler said on Friday was a crucial technological breakthrough.

"The Stuttgart-based automaker is the world's first manufacturer to have succeeded in adapting lithium-ion technology to the demanding requirements of automotive applications," it said in a statement.

The main advantages of the newly developed lithium-ion battery are its very compact dimensions and far superior performance compared to conventional nickel-metal hybrid batteries such as those powering the Toyota (7203.T) Prius, according to Daimler.

The S 400 BlueHYBRID, powered by a 299 horsepower engine that enables it to sprint from 0 to 100 km per hour in 7.3 seconds, would consume on average only 7.9 litres of gasoline per 100 km.

Carbon dioxide emissions amount to 190 grams per kilometre -- a very low value for this vehicle and power class.

This compares with 10.3 litres of gasoline and emissions of 247 grams per km in a comparable conventional S-Class.

Daimler said this would make it "the world's most economical luxury sedan -- unrivalled by any gasoline, diesel, or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor".

The power to weight ratio of the battery is 1,900 watts per litre. It has a high ampere-hour efficiency, long service life, and is very reliable even at very low temperatures, the company said, adding its safety is the equal of that provided by today's auto batteries.

A spokesman for the company said the vehicle, which has not yet been priced, could possibly hit the market in the middle of next year.

Mercedes will launch a diesel hybrid using the same technology in 2010 that consumes on average 5.4 litres of fuel and emits 142 grammes per kilometre.

"Even more potential is offered by the combination of clean BlueTec diesel technology with a hybrid module, a duo that is featured in the S 300 BlueTec HYBRID, for example," it said. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; Editing by Quentin Bryar)