 The Stuttgart-based brand
Significantly
lower energy requirements throughout the lifecycle of the
S-Class
Deutlich geringerer Energiebedarf im gesamten Lebenszyklus der S-Klasse |
The new Mercedes-Benz S-ClassStuttgart - The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the world's first automobile with an Environmental Certificate.
The new S-Class excels with exemplary exhaust and noise emissions. As the Environmental Certificate confirms, the new S 350 betters the currently valid EU 4 limits for nitrogen oxides by more than 85 percent, and for hydrocarbons by around 75 percent. Moreover, the new six-cylinder saloon consumes about nine percent less fuel than the previous S 350. Driving noise has also been reduced by two Decibels. The exhaust emissions of the S 500 and S 600 are likewise significantly below the EU 4 limits. Thanks to its newly developed engine and the inclusion of a particulate filter as standard, the new S 320 CDI also produces fewer exhaust emissions than its predecessor. The emission levels are up to 90 percent below those of the preceding model introduced in 1999. Significantly lower energy requirements throughout the lifecycle of the S-Class The development process for the S-Class - "Design for Environment" - meets all criteria described in international standard ISO 14062 for the inclusion of environmental aspects in product development. In their audit report on the new Mercedes flagship model, the TÜV specialists confirmed that "the requirements based on ISO 14062 and the extended criteria of TÜV Management GmbH are met in full", and that "many of the solutions presented are to be considered exemplary". The environmental balance takes into account the entire lifecycle of the new S-Class, from the production of materials and components to a service life of 300,000 kilometres and eventual disposal. The specialists calculated a reduction in overall energy requirements by 85 gigajoules compared to the preceding model, corresponding to the energy content of approximately 2500 litres of fuel. Over the lifecycle, emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are reduced by seven percent, with a 14 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to the previous S-Class. To establish the overall environmental balance for the new S-Class the Mercedes specialists took over 40,000 individual processes into consideration. The overall result includes a total of more than 200 "input" factors (resources) and around 300 "output" parameters (emissions). Strong commitment to the use of high-quality recycled plastics The certificated Mercedes process "Design for Environment" already begins with the selection of materials. For the new S-Class - and for all other passenger cars bearing the Mercedes star - the only acceptable materials are those with a low use of resources, outstanding recycling characteristics, minimal energy requirements and low emissions during production, processing and use. On this basis the new S-Class not only meets the recycling rate of 85 percent valid in the EU from 2006, but will also comply with the 95 percent overall recovery rate applicable from 2015 - with a maximum of ten percent being in the form of energy recovery. In the interests of conserving resources, Mercedes-Benz always gives preference to high-quality secondary raw materials where possible. Mercedes specialists have a great deal of experience in the successful use of recycled plastics, and are keen to ensure that plastics from scrapped or disused vehicles and parts are returned to the original production cycle. Progress has also been achieved in this area with the new S-Class, as a total of 45 components with an overall weight of around 21 kilograms are made from high-quality recycled plastics. This represents a four percent increase in the weight of approved recycled components compared with the previous model. Weight of components made from natural materials increased by 73 percent
Mercedes engineers have also used a raw material from nature to ventilate the fuel tank: the activated charcoal filter is made from olive-stones which have been processed into coke. This open-pored material absorbs hydrocarbon emissions and is self-regenerating.
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This confirms the environment-oriented product development
of this luxury saloon, during which significant progress was made in numerous
ecologically important areas. The exhaust emissions of the new S 350 are
up to 85 percent below the current EU 4 limits, for example. The integration
of environmental protection into the development process ("Design for
Environment") for the S-Class has been verified by the certification department
of TÜV Management GmbH in Munich. These specialists also examined and
verified the data and facts contained in the environment-related product
information about the new S-Class. These are summarised in a brochure which
is being published by Mercedes-Benz at the beginning of August 2005 (see
Appendix). "With this, the world's first Environmental Certificate for an
automobile, the new S-Class is also underlining its role as a model and
trendsetter for car development in ecological terms", says Professor Dr.
Herbert Kohler, Head of the Research department for vehicle bodies and drive
systems, and Chief Environmental Officer at DaimlerChrysler AG. "Ten years
ago we formed a department at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center which assesses
new vehicle concepts from an ecological point of view and provides impulses
for environmentally compatible product development. This process, which has
now been certificated for the first time with the new S-Class, emphasises
the comprehensive commitment of our company to environmentally compatible
and sustained mobility."
The development and production of automobile components
made from renewable raw materials is another important aspect of conservation
and the Mercedes philosophy of "Design for Environment". Mercedes-Benz sees
the use of natural materials as a major contribution to reducing carbon dioxide
emissions, as renewable raw materials help to reduce the consumption of
traditional energy sources such as coal, natural gas and crude oil. In the
new S-Class 27 components with a combined weight of around 43 kilograms are
made from natural materials. Compared to the preceding model series, this
is an increase of approx. 73 percent in the total weight of components made
from renewable raw materials. Examples of the use of renewable materials
include the linings of the front seat backrests in the S-Class, which are
made from wood fibres. For the first time in conjunction with renewable raw
materials, an injection moulding process is used to attach the sections of
lining. The attachments are made from the waste generated during production
of the linings, creating yet another environmentally friendly production
cycle.