The latest in Mercedes' F X00 research series is called the Style. Can you guess what they're concentrating on? Clearly it looks good, and probably foreshadows where the next CLS is going (or possibly the rumored C-baby CLS).Here's what it is: the F800 Style is a CLS-like hybrid concept that Mercedes claims can hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). Quick. As for efficient?
Just because it's meant to foreshadow future design themes, that doesn't mean it's not green. After all, this is Geneva and we're all living in the 21st century.
That means its power train consists of a 272-horse V6 connected to a 109-horsepower electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged at home (or at those recharging stations all these other plug-ins use). Much like other electric motors, output here has been limited; actual output is around 136 horsepower.
It can run for 30 km on electric power alone and theoretically expends 2.9L/100km (or returns 81 mpg US, take your pick) while releasing just 69g/km of CO2. In electric mode it can even reach 120 km/h, which is good to know if this type of power train is going into series production for the next S-Class.
There's even a "Range on Map" function, which seems to be the hot new tech across the board this year (for those unfamiliar with it, it uses the navigation system to show exactly how far you can travel given existing roads). For all the other technology in the showcase F 800, scroll down for some choice press release excerpts.
-By Phil Alex
"Flexible, safe and fully suited to everyday use: F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel-cell technology
The components of the fuel-cell drive are taken from the E-Drive modular system, which...[is] already being installed in the limited-edition B-Class F-CELL, can be flexibly used and are suitable for a variety of different drive configurations.
The F 800 Style is an example of this, as it uses rear-wheel drive, in contrast to the B-Class F-CELL. The same components are also installed in commercial vehicles, with developments here being spearheaded by the new Citaro fuel-cell bus, which is equipped with two of the F-CELL systems used in passenger cars.
HMI with cam touchpad for intuitive and reliable control
The new cam touchpad HMI is an intelligent system expansion for COMAND. [It's] a particularly user-friendly innovation is being presented in the F 800 Style. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the centre console and a camera that records video images of the user's hand as it works the pad.
The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form on the central display above the centre console. The user sees the contours of his or her fingers glide across the image without covering anything, thus ensuring that all of the functions of the currently used menu remain visible so that they can be easily operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad.
Pressing the display with one's fingers generates a feeling similar to that of touching laptop keys so that users know when they are carrying out specific actions.
The cam touchpad HMI unit recognises finger movements on the pad surface – such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming – thus enabling intuitive control of the climate control system, telephone, audio and navigation systems, and internet access.
The unit enhances active safety as well, since it is extremely easy and convenient to use and therefore does not distract the motorist as much from the actual task of driving. And unlike conventional touchscreens, the HMI c am touchpad does not get smudged with fingerprints, ensuring that it remains clearly visible at all times.
Furthermore, the cam touchpad has clear advantages over conventional touchpad units, since the latter generally depict hand or finger positions only by a small point on the display. Their lack of precision makes it very risky to enter information while driving, because doing so diverts the motorist's attention too much from the road.
By contrast, the HMI with cam touchpad can be easily and safely operated even while driving. Testers have confirmed that the HMI with cam touchpad is extremely easy and safe to use, particularly as a result of the transparent depiction of the hand.
New DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function further reduces the stress of driving
With its new DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function in the F 800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has also become the world's first car manufacturer to implement a system that is capable of following the vehicle in front of it into bends.
The system recognises the difference between driving along twisting roads and turning corners, which means that it does not "blindly" follow the vehicle in front – for example, when the vehicle in front changes lanes in order to exit a motorway.
The result is that, at speeds of up to about 40 km/h, the Traffic Jam Assist function takes care of both longitudinal and transverse movements so that the driver does not actually have to steer the car. When the 40 km/h mark is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the Traffic Jam Assist function is deactivated smoothly.
"The DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function is the logical continuation of the Mercedes-Benz assistance and safety philosophy. With it, we are setting another milestone on the path towards creating innovative systems, with which we will further enhance the high level of driving comfort that is a Mercedes hallmark," says Professor Bharat Balasubramanian, Head of Product Innovations & Process Technologies at Group Research and Advanced Engineering.
The required data is generated by radar distance sensors that are supplemented by a stereo camera. Drivers can, of course, override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors detect the driver's active steering movements, thus automatically deactivating the system's lateral control function.
PRE-SAFE 360° improves safety in rear-end collisions
While the Traffic Jam Assist function heightens comfort and active safety, the PRE-SAFE 360° protection system further improves passive safety. PRESAFE 360° is based on the PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system developed by Mercedes-Benz. PRE-SAFE 360° also monitors the area behind the vehicle. As a result, the system applies the brakes around 600 milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision occurs.
The key advantage of this system is that braking a stationary vehicle that is hit in the rear helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that occur when the car is catapulted uncontrollably towards a junction or a pedestrian crossing. Of course, PRE-SAFE 360° still allows the driver to take control at any time. For example, the brake is released immediately if the driver hits the accelerator knowing that there is sufficient space in front of his or her own vehicle to avoid being hit in the rear."
