Daily News: Monday 9/18/17

Mercedes Announces S560e Plug-In Hybrid S-Class Mercedes has announced the release of the all-new 2019 S-Class plug-in hybrid, dubbed the S560e at the 2017 Frankfurt International Auto Show, pegging it for a 2019 release date. While not the first S-Class hybrid, it is the first S-Class with an on-board 7.2-kW charger for fast charging, and a 25 mile all-electric range*.

To transfer the electrons to the ground, the S560e is built around a third-generation hybrid transmission based on the 9G-Tronic Plus automatic, with an integrated torque converter, clutch and electric motor. This electric motor produces 120hp and 325lb-ft of torque and is paired with a V6 gasoline engine which produces 362hp. These combine to create the smooth, powerful nature that has become characteristic of the S-Class experience.

The battery system marks a large step forward for Mercedes, both technically and financially. The batteries, for the first time, come from the wholly owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE, representing Mercedes’ investment in an electric future. On top of that, the battery size has remained the same while the cell capacity has been increased from 22 to 37 Ah (amp hours) through the switch from lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo) to lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC).

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560e Sedan celebrated its World Premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt International Auto Show in September, and is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in mid-2019.

*Euro-Spec and market range and calculations.

10th-Generation Honda Accord Begins Production Today 

Honda today celebrated the beginning of the 10th-generation Accord’s production, an event marked with Honda investing $267 million and adding 300 new jobs to support production at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP).

The investment total includes $220 million at MAP for new technologies and processes, including a new $165 million weld department featuring 342 state-of-the-art welding robots and $47 million at Honda’s nearby Anna, Ohio engine plant for production of the 2018 Accord’s 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines, the first application of turbo power to the Accord lineup.

The 1.5-liter powered Accord will be available in five trims – LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring (new for 2018). The 2.0-liter model, with the highest torque output ever for Accord, has three trims – Sport (new for 2018), EX-L, and Touring. And the new Accord Hybrid will be available in four trims – Hybrid, EX, EX-L and Touring. Sport trims for both 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine variants will now feature an available short-throw 6- speed manual transmission. The 2018 Accord is built using domestically and globally sourced parts.