Jul. 2, 2009 (The Korea Times) -- By Kim Hyun-cheol

Staff Reporter

Mercedes-Benz announced Thursday it would be the first European maker to introduce an eco-friendly vehicle onto the Korean market.

The German maker is to market the innovative S400 hybrid, which was first unveiled at this year's Shanghai Motor Show in May. Korean and Japanese automakers plan to introduce a number of hybrid models in the second half of the year. The announcement was made by Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Harald Behrend.

The S400 has a modified 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine. It is also the world's first hybrid vehicle to use a lithium-ion battery, which makes it lighter in weight, and comes with a fuel-saving start and stop function, as well as a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Behrend said the S400 hybrid model is the world's most efficient petrol-engine luxury saloon with the smallest CO2 emissions in the luxury class. The vehicle consumes 7.9 liters of fuel to drive 100 kilometers, with emissions of 186 grams per kilometer.

The company decided to release the model in Korea "to strengthen an eco-friendly corporate image and offer customers a wider range of choices," he said.

Korean and Japanese makers are getting ready for a battle in the hybrid car market ahead of Mercedes-Benz. Toyota's signature hybrid model, the Prius, will be available in Korea in October while Honda is biding its time before introducing the Insight.

In response, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group plans to launch liquefied petroleum injection hybrid editions of its Avante and Forte sedans this month and in September, respectively.

Mercedes-Benz Korea will debut various new products in the coming months. Starting with the new GLK-Class compact sports utility vehicle at the end of this month, the maker will market the new E-Class sedan along with its coupe model in August. Its flagship model, the new generation S-Class, will also be introduced in Korea.