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Here's a fishy tale. Revealed at the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in the US, this concept car combines technology with marine biology to bring us a 'bionic' vision of the people-moving future.

The biological bit comes from research into the humble boxfish. "Despite its boxy, cube-shaped body, this tropical fish is, in fact, outstandingly streamlined and therefore represents an aerodynamic ideal," the Mercedes experts reckon.

Just lop off the fins, add some wheels and you've got the next generation of Multi Activity Vehicles designed for you. Sort of.

The boxfish adds further inspiration for the light yet rigid construction of the Bionic concept, as "its skin consists of numerous bony plates which provide maximum strength with minimum weight".

As well as borrowing its external appearance from the natural world, the Bionic is intended to be friendlier to the environment.

Its 140bhp diesel engine uses Selective Catalytic Reduction to return 65.7mpg: 20% better than the equivalent passenger car.

This involves a fluid being fed into the catalyst from a reservoir below the boot, setting up a reaction that reduces nitrous oxide emissions by 80%. The chief component of this 'magic liquid' also comes from nature; it's urea, as produced when you pee.


Evolution of the species
Mercedes assures us some serious research went into the creation of the Bionic concept. A large-scale model of a boxfish was created before its profile was morphed into the shape of the car, producing a drag coefficient of 0.19, or better than any existing MAV can claim. No actual fish were harmed in the creation of this concept car.