26 March 2009 - 10:00
Retro future
See more Merc F-CELL Roadster pics
Ever seen a car more retro-future than this? It’s the work of design students at Mercedes-Benz and draws its inspiration from so many eras of motoring it’s hard to know where to start.
It’s called the F-Cell Roadster and is the latest in a line of Merc F-Series research concepts – this time about training in ‘sustainable motoring’.
So that means it’s powered by a 1.2kW fuel cell system (like the Honda FCX James May drove on the telly) with a range of 217 miles and a heady top speed of 15mph. Even if it’ll go that far flat-out, you’ll need 14.5 hours to do the journey.
It’s controlled by drive-by-wire technology using a joystick that, like the massive spoked wheels, seems vaguely reminiscent of the Benz Patent Car from 1886 (also in the pic above).
And look at those gorgeous carbon-fibre hand-stitched leather seats - ’50s era F1? We reckon the fibreglass nose has a hint of McLaren about it, too, and the body tub definitely echoes the SLR Stirling Moss.
Strangely beautiful, isn’t it?
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I can't help thinking they've stolen the wheels from a bicycle and a Penny Farthing. Maybe if the wheels didn't look like they'd fall off, it could look pretty impressive. But for now, I don't like it.
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So its got carbon fibre seats but only a top speed of 15, this is stupid, anything on how much it would cost cos I wouldn't pay £10 for it!
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Hmmm... sounds like a bicycle would be a better option.
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if i were mercedes ill give it a little bit wider wheels (5cm more will make a difference), an engine 2 or 3 times stronger and put it on sale, that will make financial difference
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Was there any point in that? Were in the 21st century NOW not the not the 1st century
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You could have the 'hypercar' version with a Tesla engine. You would - quite literally - drive the wheels off it!
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i'd feel it would roll at mad top speed of 15mph
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someone crashed a SLR into a bicycle. The enginge is a joke... The performance is worse than terible and if it was any better, the wheels would fall off. And it's just so ugly. I'm glad this won't be built. But if the future of motoring looks like this, I'm gonna call a VW Golf mk3 TDI exciting
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i think it is a very clever and interesting design to put into your collection of mercedes oldies in order to add a twist to the collection. on the driving side im not to sure how it would handle, i think they should make the same version but with normal wheels on it and more pwer but han again we already have the atom. as said before, for me this would be a nice collection item.
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TGAfterburn is right on the money- Merc didn't make this to go fast, or maybe go at all; it's a design study. And I think it looks fantastic. I like the mix of old and new design. It goes together quite well.
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Looks too fragile... Why can't they put a more streamlined-modern wheels from a racing bicycle? Why this?? Everything else already looked perfect...
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it's just a style exercise. that's the new steampunk, the SteamDigital. i like it. obviously a bicycle is better than that as a vehicle but as a prototype is very interesting looking
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buy a bike instead
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Pretty but pointless. I hate bicycles and think they should be banned.
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Just shows German Lunacy. Just thanx god that Mercedes dont have Chris Bangle (BMW's ex chief designer) or this would look alot worse . Don't get me wrong he knows what hes doing but . sometimes he should leave well alone . LONG LIVE BMW !!!
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TheNorwegian commented on this article
26 March 2009
That was, strange...
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