Reader Spy: Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid spotted in Detroit
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrids/Alternative</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUVs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mercedes-benz/" rel="tag">Mercedes-Benz</a></p><em><strong><small><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330557/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/02/img_0407-570.jpg" /></a><br /></small></strong></em>
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for a gallery of ML450 hybrid spy shots</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />Thanks to an alert reader, we have a few snapshots of what appears to be a Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid prototype braving the snowy climes of suburban Detroit. At first glance, it doesn't appear all that different from a standard ML SUV, but the red HEV stickers on the rear, sides and hood of this tester gave its identity away. First <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/frankfurt-preview-2009-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/">previewed</a> at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a> all the way back in 2007, the German automaker has faced a number of obstacles bringing the hybrid to market, not the least of which was a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/daimler-considering-cancelling-hybrid-ute/">lawsuit against battery maker Cobasys</a> for reportedly breaking its contract to supply nickel metal hydride packs for the hybrid 'ute.<br /><br />This SUV will be the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz that uses the sophisticated hybrid drivetrain technology jointly developed with General Motors, Chrysler and BMW. Underhood lies a direct-injected 3.5L V6 that's mated to the two-Mode automatic transmission that the consortium will also be providing to BMW for use in the <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/29/bmw-x6-activehybrid-to-arrive-by-years-end/">upcoming X6 ActiveHybrid</a>. <em>Thanks for the tip, Andres</em>!<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/">Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330557/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mb_ml450_spy_1_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330559/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mb_ml450_spy_3_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330560/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mb_ml450_spy_4_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330558/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mb_ml450_spy_2_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid/1330562/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mb_ml450_spy_6_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/reader-spy-mercedes-benz-m-class-hybrid-spotted-in-detroit/">Reader Spy: Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid spotted in Detroit</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/reader-spy-mercedes-benz-m-class-hybrid-spotted-in-detroit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1448211/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/reader-spy-mercedes-benz-m-class-hybrid-spotted-in-detroit/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

أكثر...