Mercedes Benz Tech Reporter Pickup Concept Revealed

The Reporter pickup concept vehicle has been presented by Mercedes-Benz Technology. MBTech introduced the concept at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. The company says that the Reporter is more than a design study – with a DualX E-Drive drive solution, the vehicle is both a plug-in as well as a full-hybrid vehicle with an all-wheel drive system. This includes a 70 kW electric motor powering the rear axle and an independent 1.2 liter, 4-cylinder natural gas combustion engine with a gas exhaust turbocharger that powers the front wheels.

The power plant (1.2 liter) works as a range and performance extender, helping the Reporter to get top speeds of 130 km/h (80 mph) with a range of around 300 km (186 mi) in the European Driving Cycle.

The concept features a special “Solar Top” – which is not really a proper solar panel, but generates about 266 Watts that helps to take some load off the 12V battery and simultaneously power some of the electronics of the vehicle, including the air conditioning.

There are also three driving modes that the driver can choose from. These are: an “eco” mode that enables emissions-free city driving; “4range” for long-range economical driving and “4dynamic” in which maximum power will be available for all-wheel drive performance.

(Via WCF)