0 Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment: New S-Class awarded Environmental Certificate

With three development priorities focusing on "Intelligent Drive", "Efficient Technology" and "Essence of Luxury", the new S-Class is broadening technical horizons at many levels. The S-Class sets new standards in terms of efficiency too. Its high environmental compatibility has now been confirmed by the neutral inspectors from the TÜV Süd technical inspection authority, who have awarded the Mercedes-Benz Saloon the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062. The award is based on a comprehensive life-cycle assessment of the S-Class, documenting every detail of relevance for the environment.

"The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions values that were little more than a dream just a few years ago, even for a mid-size car," explains Professor Dr Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler AG. "In comparison with the predecessor series, consumption has been reduced by up to 20 percent, and all models lead their respective classes in terms of efficiency. The CO2 emissions of the S 400 HYBRID have been cut from 186 g CO2/km to 147 g CO2/km compared with the previous model."

Mercedes-Benz analyses the environmental compatibility of its models across their entire life cycle – from production through long years of service to end-of-life recycling. This analysis goes far beyond the legal requirements. The Environmental Certificate and supplementary information are made available to the public as part of the "Life Cycle" documentation series, which can be accessed at http://www.mercedes-benz.com . In 2005, the S-Class became the first-ever vehicle to be awarded the Environmental Certificate from TÜV Süd. This tradition is being successfully continued with the new 2013 S-Class.

All models comply with the EURO 6 emissions standard. The S 400 HYBRID and the S 350 BlueTEC additionally meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A, with the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID even qualifying for class A+.

Wide range of hybrids, greater use of recycled materials

The fuel efficiency benefits of the new S-Class are ensured by an intelligent package of measures. These include optimisation of the drive system, energy management, aerodynamics, tyres, weight reductions through lightweight construction techniques and driver information to encourage an energy-saving driving style.

Hybrids represent a further milestone on the road to zero-emission mobility. With the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is expanding its line-up in this model series to three models: S 400 HYBRID, S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID. Common to all second-generation hybrid drives is their seamless integration into the powertrain. The engine can be completely decoupled from the electric motor. Further features are the second-generation recuperative braking system and the anticipatory Intelligent HYBRID energy management system.

Even though recycling is still a long way off for new S-Class models, the development process took account of all the requirements for environmentally compatible end-of-life recycling. In an effort already today to build up and develop the markets for recycled materials, increased use was made of such materials in the production of the new S-Class. In total, the new S-Class includes 51 components weighing a total of 49.7 kilograms that can be produced with the partial use of high-quality recycled plastics. The weight of secondary raw material components could thus be increased by 134 percent compared with the predecessor series.

There is also an increased emphasis on closed automobile materials cycles: the wheel arch linings, for example, are made from such materials as reprocessed bumper coverings. Some 87 S-Class components with a total weight of 46.1 kilograms are produced using natural materials. For instance, the coverings for the driver and front-passenger seat backrests are made of coconut fibre and wool.

Credits: Daimler AG

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