Mercedes Benz Gets All Futury With Its F800 Style Concept
By Chris Weiss
Don’t expect to see too much of the over-the-top styling from this F800 Style concept (e.g. minivan doors) in the next-generation CLS that it foreshadows, but the concept does give an idea of what the new CLS will look like. The Geneva-bound plug-in/fuel-cell concept is said to be a research vehicle and features a 300 hp V6 paired to a 109 hp hybrid module and seven-speed transmission. Despite the hybrid package, Mercedes provides enviable performance numbers: 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds and 155 mph top speed. It also offers 18 miles of pure-electric driving.
For those that don’t think hybrids are green enough, Mercedes also envisions a fuel-cell version of the F800 that puts out 136 horses and 214 lb-ft while releasing only H2O into the atmosphere.
Other interesting technologies included in the concept are a new version of the Distronic cruise control that enables drivers to follow at a close distance and negotiate curves at speeds up to 25 mph without ever touching the steering wheel, and a Pre-Safe 360 Degree system that brakes preceding an imminent rear-end collision to prevent slamming into a car or object ahead of you.
Get a closer look below. [via Autoweek]
