Mercedes 2001 Annual Report Download - page 48

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44 Research and Technology
Taking the lead through innovation. Innovation plays
a key role in distinguishing DaimlerChrysler from its
competitors. The technological basis for innovation is
provided by Corporate Research and the divisional de-
velopment departments. In 2001, DaimlerChrysler in-
vested €6.0 billion (2000: €7.4 billion) in the research
and development of new products and technologies.
Expenditure on research and development was lower
than in the previous year due to the deconsolidation of
Dasa, Temic and Adtranz. At the end of the year, 2,700
people were employed at Corporate Research, while
another 25,400 employees worked in the various
divisional development departments.
F400 Carving continues the series of innovative con-
cept vehicles. The F 400 Carving concept car first dem-
onstrated at the Tokyo Motor Show incorporates many
pioneering innovations. The tilt of the vehicle's wheels
can be adjusted by up to 20 degrees, allowing more
force to be applied to the road surface. Newly devel-
oped asymmetrical tires improve handling characteris-
tics even further. When driving into bends, the vehicle
achieves lateral acceleration of up to 1.28 g (g mea-
sures accelerative force expressed in terms of the
earth’s gravitation) thereby enabling it to outperform
current sports cars by about 25 percent. The vehicle's
safety can be further enhanced through the installation
of active safety systems developed by DaimlerChrysler
such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Active
Body Control (ABC) and Sensotronic Brake Control
(SBC). During the development of the F 400 Carving,
engineers at DaimlerChrysler Research were able to
draw on the expertise gained with previous concept
cars such as the F 200 Imagination and the F 300 Life-
Jet, particularly with regard to driving safety and han-
dling. The chassis is tuned with the help of an active
hydro-pneumatic system that optimally adjusts the
vehicle's suspension and shock absorbers to the road
surface and the driving situation.
Close cooperation between operating units
and research
■F 400 Carving: a further design study for the car of the future
■Progress with hybrid and fuel-cell drive systems
■Focus on lighter materials, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions for the
benefit of customers and the environment
The F 400 Carving is also equipped with a
pioneering steering system that does not require
conventional mechanical steering technology. The
system electronically registers the driver’s steering
movements and transforms them into commands for
the electrically driven steering gear.
Improved drive technology for a mobile future. The
main objectives in the development of drive systems
continue to be greater fuel efficiency and lower emis-
sions. To achieve these goals, DaimlerChrysler is simul-
taneously working on improving internal-combustion
engines, determining the optimal configuration for
hybrid drive systems, and fuel-cell technology.
Research is focusing on new combustion methods,
improved recharging technology, and innovative
exhaust-gas treatment systems. In the future, smart
technology for managing systems that charge batteries,
combust fuels, and treat exhaust gases will become
significantly more important.
Hybrid drive system being tested. Corporate Research
is currently testing and researching hybrid drive
concepts aimed at reducing fuel consumption and
emissions without diminishing driving pleasure,
comfort or a vehicle’s utility value.
The “smart hyper,” for example, is equipped with
an electric motor and a CDI diesel engine that work in
tandem by optimally adjusting the output of each to the
driving situation. Both drive systems are turned off
when the vehicle is not moving, thereby ensuring that
no fuel is consumed and no emissions produced. To get
the car moving again, the electric motor is turned on
first, allowing the smart to travel silently while con-
serving energy. If greater speed or acceleration is
needed, the diesel engine is automatically activated.
When the vehicle is braked, the electric motor becomes
a generator that recharges the batteries. The hybrid
system reduces fuel consumption by more than 10%
on average and noticeably improves the vehicle's
acceleration. Similar results have been achieved with
the “A-Class hyper” and the “Dodge Durango TTR.”