Explosive Refrigerant Threatens To Blow Up S-Class Launch

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Daimler is dead set against using the new refrigerant HFO-1234yf, even if it is forced down it throat. The EU makes it a must in all news cars, but Daimler says it can fry and kill you. Now, Daimler can get burned big-time. Without HFO-1234yf, its new S-Class will be illegal, but “using HFO-1234yf is out of the question,” a Daimler spokesman told Automobilwoche [sub].

The new S-Class will be launched this summer in Europe. Germany’s Kraftfahrtbundesamt has given type approval only with the EU-mandated HFO-1234yf. Without the explosive refrigerant, the car would be illegal anywhere in Europe.

In 2012, the refrigerant ignited during a crash test at Daimler. Daimler recalled all B-Class and A-Class cars sold with the refrigerant, and converted the air conditioner.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Indi500fan Indi500fan on Feb 20, 2013

    The obvious answer is to eliminate A/C in the first place. Do it "for the children"

    • Lorenzo Lorenzo on Feb 20, 2013

      Try to imagine the withering look given to you by people who can afford to drive the S-class. Environmental awareness is for other people.

  • If that's the new S550, I'm not impressed. What have they done to my car???

  • Joe K Joe K on Feb 20, 2013

    Imagine if you will, a world where everyone drove Ford Pintos ...

  • Skor Skor on Feb 20, 2013

    I still have a full can of R-12 in my basement. Unless I am paid the sum of 1 million dollars, I will release it into the atmosphere. (Insert evil villain laugh here).

    • See 2 previous
    • George Herbert George Herbert on Feb 22, 2013

      @skor I haz friends (or at least, aquaintences-of-friends) with anti-ballistic-missile systems. Sure you want to go there?

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