Details Emerge On Mercedes-Benz F600 Hygenius

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 10, 2005 at 9:24 AM CST


As many of you car fanatics already know, the Tokyo Motor Show is  
taking place later this month.  What you may not know, however, is  
that Mercedes has used the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil their last two  
F-Class Concept Cars (you can find more info on these at the end of  
the story).  In keeping with tradition, Auto Bild is reporting that  
Mercedes is once again set to debut their latest concept, dubbed the  
"F600 Hygenius," in Tokyo later this month.

Before I delve into specifics, I have to warn you - this information  
was taken from a roughly translated German page, so I may  
misinterpret some facts.  Now that that's out of the way, on with the  
car.  As you can see from the photos, the F600 looks similar to  
current production A and B-Class models.  That however, is where the  
similarities end.  The Hygenious, as it is so modestly titled, is the  
first Mercedes to utilize fuel cell technolgy in combination with an  
electric motor.  The result is a car that functions much like current  
hybrids, without the gas (or diesel).

If you've read about other Mercedes' fuel cell vehicles, such as the  
F-Cell you already know their range is somewhat limited. Mercedes has  
addressed the issue, at least partly, with the F600. The concept  
features re-designed fuel cells, which Mercedes claim will produce  
30% more power while being 16% more efficient. To futher benefit the  
F600's range, Mercedes added a high torque electric motor, which,  
like current hybrids, powers the vehicle in city driving and stop and  
go traffic. The result is a range of approximately 250 miles, a  
noticeable improvement over the current F-Cell's 100 mile mark.

Before you get too excited, there is one last thing we have to  
mention.  Mercedes doesn't expect the F600's technology to be  
available until the year 2012, or 2,272 days if you want to start  
counting.

Personally, I think the technology behind F600 Hygenius is great.  
I've said it before and I'll say it again - hybrids are a temporary  
solution; fuel cells will change the future.  Now that you know my  
view on fuel cells, I need to address Mercedes for a second.  Guys,  
would it kill you to add fuel cell technology to a car that I'd  
actually want to drive?  It's a concept car, it's not supposed to  
look like a Volkswagen Golf. I'd much rather see an F400 Hygenius  
than a hatchback...

To view the full story and photos, click on the link below:

http://emercedesbenz.com/ 
Oct05/10DetailsEmegeOnMercedesBenzF600Hygenius.html