Mercedes-Benz F 800 self-steers

One of the technical innovations of the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle on show at the Geneva Motor Show uses a system called Traffic Jam Assistant that is capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it.

The hands-off steering system also recognises the difference between driving along curving roads and turning. This means it does not ‘blindly’ follow the vehicle up in front if it suddenly changes lanes in order to exit the highway. The result is that at speeds of up to about 40km/h, the Traffic Jam Assistant takes care of the steering so drivers do not have to steer themselves. The driver can just sit back and relax — with hands on the steering wheel. When the 40km/h is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the Traffic Jam Assistant smoothly disengages. Drivers can override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors notice active steering movements, thus automatically deactivating the system.

Apart from its fuel-cell and electric technology, the F 800 Style is also a pointer to the next-generation CLS sedan and a future look at Mercedes Benz’s styling direction. The car also features an all-new multi drive platform, which is suited for electric drives with fuel cells with a range of almost 600km as well as the use of Plug-in Hybrids that can drive for up to 30km solely on electricity.

“We are dedicated to reconciling our responsibility for the environment with practical customer utility in a fascinating automobile,” says Dr. Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new F 800 Style research vehicle combines this commitment to providing the leading innovative drive concepts with our traditional Mercedes strengths in the areas of design, safety, comfort, and outstanding performance.”

The F 800 is 4750mm long and manages to install all the alternative drive components in a space-saving manner in the engine bay and gaps within the chassis to allow plenty of room for five occupants. Various fuel cell components have been downsized to help maximize passenger space.

Mercedes calls the F 800 Style a dynamic expression of the concept of “fascination and responsibility”. Its drive unit consists of a 220kW V6 petrol engine with next-generation direct injection and a hybrid module with an output of about 80kW, delivering total power of 300kW. The lithium-ion battery can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket. The car can also be run exclusively on electricity for zero emissions for up to 30km.

Because it also has a high torque right from the moment it starts, the car has the same driving performance as a car with a V6 petrol engine even when operating in electric mode. The F 800 signals another step in the creation of a market-ready plug-in hybrid, which Mercedes-Benz plans to build with the next-generation S-Class.

Due to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of only 2.9l/100km and C02 emissions of only 68g/km. The car has a top speed of 250km/h and zero to 100km in 4.8 seconds. In electric mode its top speed is 120km/h.

Apart from its environmental advantages the F 800 Style has some innovative touches for safety and comfort. It has a new operating and display concept and a human-machine interface (HMI) with a camera touchpad. The display shows many additional functions not found in conventional instrument clusters.

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 in the central display above the console. The user sees the contours of their fingers glide across the image without covering anything but showing up all the menu function, which operate via slight pressure on the touchpad.

The cam touchpad HMI unit recognises finger movements on the pad surface such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming, thus enabling intuitive regulation of the climate control system, telephone, stereo and navigation systems, and Internet access. Unlike conventional touchscreens, the HMI touchpad does not get smudged with fingerprints.

Another function is the “range on map” function that shows the remaining possible travel radius on pure electric mode.

A particularly customer-friendly innovation of the F 800 Style is its rear doors. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillar in a conventional manner and open wide toward the front, the rear doors slide backward when opened, as they are suspended from an interior swivel arm. This is designed to make getting in and out of the car much easier. The F 800 Style also has no B-pillar, making the entire space between the A and C-pillars completely accessible when the doors are opened.

The headlights are divided into individual segments for daytime running lights, turn signal indicators, and primary headlights, with state-of-the-art LED tail-lights. Inside the car’s innovative lightweight-construction, seats consist of a magnesium shell, carbon fibre laminate seatback and wood veneer shell.