STUTTGART, Germany — The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, which will be unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, introduces a new "multi-drive" platform that can accommodate a fuel cell or a plug-in hybrid powertrain. More importantly, its overall shape and styling preview the next-generation CLS sedan teased last month in Detroit.
The five-passenger F800 Style is fitted for the show with a 300-horespower, direct-injected gasoline V6 engine and a 109-hp electric motor integrated into the seven-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes claims a total output of 409 hp for the F800.
The concept's hybrid powertrain provides 0-60 acceleration in 4.7 seconds, says Mercedes, with top speed limited to 155 mph. On pure electric power, the F800 has a claimed top speed of 75 mph and a range of just 18 miles.
The Mercedes F800's lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged from household current or a local charging station. The V6, we assume, can be replenished by a visit to the gas station.
Mercedes says its F-Cell technology also could be adapted to the F800, bundling a 136-hp, rear-drive electric motor that generates 214 pound-feet of torque with a fuel cell stack. Range on this version is said to be nearly 375 miles.
The F800 incorporates a number of other advanced technologies, including an enhancement on the automaker's COMAND system with a touchpad interface. A camera in the cabin records images of the user's hand on the pad. A transparent image of the hand is displayed over the menu functions, which are operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad. Mercedes says the system, which controls such functions as climate, audio, phone, navigation and Internet functions, reduces driver distraction.
Benz's Distronic adaptive cruise control also gains added functionality. Now called Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant, the system will be capable of automatically steering and following another vehicle into a curve at speeds up to 25 mph while regulating the distance between the two vehicles.
Next there's the PreSafe 360-degree collision avoidance system, which extends monitoring to the area behind the vehicle, automatically engaging the brakes milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision.
Access to the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style concept is provided by conventional hinged front doors and rear pivot-and-slide doors that open rearward. Inside are lightweight seats made of magnesium and carbon-fiber, backed with fine netting and trimmed in wood veneer.
Inside Line says: Mercedes-Benz is determined to prove that environmental friendliness isn't limited to small cars. And in Benz tradition, the next CLS sedan will be crammed full of technology. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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hn4u says:
12:01 AM, 10/17/2010
in general i dont see why companies spend millions of dollars on concepts cars that they maybe make or they maybe not, dont get me wrong it is pushing the envolope and bringing new looks and new ideas, but the way i see it is that , invest in something that you will make now and in near future, then you go from there, there is no sense of creating concepts that will never be on the roads. some people will agree but some wil disagree so what you think
thkim388 says:
09:22 AM, 03/30/2010
Honey, I found us DA minivan!!!
mustang5507 says:
08:30 PM, 02/22/2010
We shouldn't be comparing a potentially $70k plus Benz to a Hyundai, or anything from east of Stuttgart and west of the Date Line, PERIOD, styling wise. That is what is wrong with this car.
blueguydotcom says:
09:31 PM, 02/21/2010
The rear doors are great. ALL cars with 4 doors should have rear doors like that. There's no sense to the way car doors open beyond tradition. Imagine a world with sliding doors and suddenly door dings become a relic of the past... like CD players and VCRs.
cz75 says:
07:37 PM, 02/21/2010
Blech! However, it still looks better than the Honda Crosstour, Acura ZDX and RL.
sabastian says:
05:29 PM, 02/21/2010
It looks pretty fantastic to me...much more aggresive than the current CLS and much more cohesive than the slightly confused (but still nice looking) Sonata.
easym1 says:
05:22 PM, 02/21/2010
The more I look at this car, the more I like it. The LED made it much better. I wouldn't mind having one of this car....if I can afford it!
sgude says:
05:22 PM, 02/21/2010
I wonder what Bruno Sacco thinks of this. I'm sure the real CLS will look better, but the swoops and strakes lack elegance, which Sacco's designs were all about.
aburke3 says:
05:16 PM, 02/21/2010
It looks as though MB is exploring BMW territory. For some reason, when I look at the front of this MB I expect to see the BMW emblem better that the MB's
mholbrook says:
01:25 PM, 02/21/2010
Best Benz design ever! I wish they would make the car with sliding doors and all. Generally nicer, more elegant, and much more technology infused and progressive than previous CLS. Well done M-B.