Mercedes to Build the F CELL

The Stuttgart based German manufacturer announces a new model and give us a glimpse of its future.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL

On August 26th, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will be launching its first series-produced fuel cell vehicle. The B-Class F-CELL is scheduled to begin production late in the year and the first of approximately 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers both in Europe and here in the states.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the new zero-emissions vehicle will have performance numbers similar to that of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine equipped car while consuming the equivalent of 3.3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers (71.3 mpg) in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).

Mercedes promises no compromises in traditional B-Class interior space, storage capacity or comfort as well as a 400 kilometer (248.5 mile) range and 3 minute refueling times.

“2009 is the year in which we are establishing further milestones where sustainable mobility is concerned. The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world’s first fuel cell powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions”, says Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Powertrain

The heart of the F-CELL is an advanced fuel cell system with a cold-start capability in temperatures as low as -14 degrees Fahrenheit. As with a “traditional” gas-electric hybrid, the fuel-cell vehicle uses lithium-ion battery technology with an output of 35 kW and a capacity of 1.4 kWh to both boost power and recover braking energy. The unique sandwich floor technology employed in all of M-B’s A and B-Class vehicles allows the company to place all drive components in the floor which results in a maximum amount of passenger space as well as protecting the component systems.

Sitting in the small lap of luxury

While most of us here in the U.S. are not used to a small (a.k.a. the Ford Fiesta) premium sedan, Mercedes has been building them for years in Europe and the F-CELL comes with all the requisite goodies.

Taking a cue from Henry Ford, you can have any color you like, as long as it’s bonamite silver. Exclusive 10-spoke alloy wheels will also be standard, as will leather upholstery, heated seats, automatic climate control and Mercedes’ COMAND-system.

To help allay customer concerns about the safety of the F-CELL’s high-voltage drivetrain will fare in an accident, Mercedes engineers more than 30 additional crash tests of the F-CELL’s drive-specific components above and beyond those done for the B-Class, itself.

Only a few places to “pump you up!”

Although the F-CELL will be made available in both Europe and the U.S., its unique requirements for a hydrogen fuel delivery infrastructure will, in the short term, probably limit its availability to certain metropolitan areas such as those found in Hamburg, Stuttgart and portions of California.

Tags: b-class, f cell, mercedes, mercedes f cell, Mercedes-Benz