The blogosphere reacted with glee to the concept, with the World Car Fans blog describing it as "incongruous," while another site quipped: "What would Karl Benz drive?"
The one-of-a-kind vehicle has an emissions-free fuel-cell system located at the rear. Mercedes-Benz said it has a power rating of 1.2 kW, a top speed of 15 mph and an operating range of up to 218 miles.
Details include a joystick instead of a steering wheel, carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and a fiberglass front section with a large Mercedes-Benz logo.
"This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training," said Gunther Fleig, Daimler human resources board member and labor relations manager.
Daimler did not disclose any production plans for the F-Cell Roadster, describing it solely as a training project.
This isn't the first time that an automaker has tried to mate the old and new in concept form. Last year, students from around the world entered a competition to build a 21st-century version of the Ford Model T.
Inside Line says: A Frankenstein-like creation or a stroke of automotive genius for the post-millennial era? The jury is still out. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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