Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster Concept Revealed

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster concept

Based on original 1886 Benz, F-CELL comes with a 1.2 kW emissions-free fuel-cell system with a range of 350 km

By Alex Ricciuti
March 25, 2009 5:26 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Design, German, Hydrogen Vehicle, Mercedes-Benz

You know, on occasion automakers are able to blend retro styling with new technology surprisingly well in their conceptual designs.

This isn't one of those occasions.

One doesn't look at a Mercedes-Benz like this and immediately picture themselves in it. Although, in fairness, this is only a student project and this Merc isn't about to roll off the assembly line headed for a dealer any time soon. Or ever.

This F-CELL Roadster by Mercedes-Benz is a design that directly references the original automobile from 1886 that was the Benz Patent Motor Car. It comes with a 1.2 kW fuel-cell system, that is emissions-free, with a range of up to 350 km (217 miles).

How do they manage such an impressive range? Well, the car goes only 25 km/h, that's how.

The carriage also features bucket seats made of carbon fiber and covered in hand-stitched leather. It drives by joystick.

The front end is made of a Formula One-based component.

This car is...incongruous. The design here just doesn't make sense.

Your thoughts?

Source: Daimler

Press Release (Click to expand)

F-CELL Roadster - trainees build a car of the future

Young people unite high tech and tradition
Alternative drive systems as a training topic

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster. This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience.

"This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training," said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. "I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project."

Tradition meets the future

The F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

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Tags: Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster, Mercedes-Benz concept

Comments

Bristol411S3

March 25, 2009 5:28 PM

A Mercedes for the Amish community?

Renegade

March 25, 2009 5:44 PM

Yep, I was thinking at that too, but hopefully we won't see that thing on the road.

sub39h

March 25, 2009 5:31 PM

if you wanna make something like this emissions free, then forego the engine and power it by horse. it'll be a step backwards but this is already such a leap backwards that i doubt that'll matter.

and before someone starts quoting the CO2 that a horse would produce, how much CO2 would the engine cost to make, and where do you think the electicity to charge it comes from?

Beetle

March 25, 2009 5:42 PM

Its probably cheaper to buy a horse

alessandro

March 25, 2009 5:46 PM

Haha! I know why nearby all enviro-things looks idiotic. It is because of methodologies was used to approach things almost spoiled the planet and usage of the same methodological basis in opposit direction makes things worse. Making things worse than they already are makes them uglier than before. By efforts of modern transportation idologies that ugliness is coming visible as quit high profile standard of everday-life visual culture.

scratchy996

March 25, 2009 6:20 PM

what ?

Scuderia-Paul

March 25, 2009 5:56 PM

Looks brilliant in a what-the-hell way.

At the rate we are going this could be a future Formula One car albeit with 2 seats.

afterace2

March 25, 2009 6:10 PM

Isn't it simplier to just put a pedals and a chainbelt from a bike in here? It would be both faster, and even more economical!

noworkday

March 25, 2009 6:12 PM

Based on original Benz?

Alex read the press release again please. It is not based on the 1886 Benz...

kimbo

March 25, 2009 6:18 PM

haha what they were thinking of when designing this? Benz patent car? Quite funny but I like it. Looks like germans can be humurous as well, they can produce 30 year old military offroader with supercar's engine (G55 amg) so why not this?

stylovale

March 25, 2009 6:29 PM

Is this a quadcycle with a F-cell? You get the same range whithout an engine. This is nothing new. There are no reasons to use a F-cell in a car. Don't understand why Mercedes is burning money on this.

Kepe

March 25, 2009 8:41 PM

"The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience."

Because it's a student project. The whole idea of it is just for the students to learn how to design and make cars. The idea is not to necessarily make something that could be put in to production.

adz612

March 25, 2009 7:01 PM

I've heard of going back to basics but this is faintly ridiculous. lol

richard_x

March 25, 2009 7:17 PM

You might wonder why there are bucket seats in a car that has wheels the size of a bicycle, boy what a waste of money

Joe_Limon

March 25, 2009 7:25 PM

the blue lights in the engine bay give it an extra 10mpg

ussoleg

March 25, 2009 9:16 PM

What happens when it rains? Do hold an umbrella in one hand ? Come on MB, this is 21st century!

Joe_Limon

March 25, 2009 9:28 PM

What happens when it rains on a modern convertible? do you hold an umbrella in one hand?

fredbt

March 25, 2009 9:26 PM

I Like it, I think its pretty cool

Wickedated

March 26, 2009 12:28 AM

With the auto industry in disarray and virtually every car manufacturer (Mercedes included) suffering with sales, I'm speechless to see such a waste of resources. Why not use the F-Cell technology for real life, real purpose concept vehicles with feasible production?

Edited by user on March 26, 2009 at 12:28 AM

trekkerbin

March 26, 2009 3:24 AM

I think that rich people can buy this to use in golf courses, looked quite fashionable : )

trekkerbin

March 26, 2009 3:25 AM

I think that this kind of desing can be used in air ports or golf course. It is actually quite fashionable!

pismeov

March 26, 2009 4:42 AM

"Based on original 1886 Benz, F-CELL comes with a 1.2 kW emissions-free fuel-cell system with a range of 350 km/h"

hehe... "with a range of 350km/h." impressive for a vehicle that has a top speed of 25km/h. :p

Edited by user on March 26, 2009 at 4:42 AM