Daimler Unveils Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster With Hybrid Drive

Daimler today has unveiled the F-CELL Roadster, the latest in their line of "F-Series" concept vehicles (past Mercedes research models can be seen here), and as you'll see, it draws its inspiration from a diverse variety of automotive eras. From a functional standpoint, it's a roadster fitted with a 1.2 kW hybrid drive – one that allows the F-CELL to reach a top speed of 15 mph and acheive an operating range of 217 miles. From a design standpoint, however, is where the F-CELL Roadster truly shines, as it manages to blend the overall aura of the original Benz patent motor car with seating and a fiberglass front section both drawn from elements of Formula One racing.

As for who was responsible for creating the unique F-CELL Roadster, that honor goes to the trainees of of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen plant, with more than 150 trainees and dual education system students working for about a year on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the hybrid model. According to Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig: "This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training. I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project."
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_43LE - 3/25/2009 10:23:48 AM

-1 Boost

I guess the Smart is no longer the worst looking car that MB has designed.

Wimmer - 3/25/2009 11:11:15 AM

+3 Boost

Anyone with a simple understanding of automotive history will easily see the connection to the first car developed by Karl Benz, except that it has four wheels here instead of three.

Wimmer - 3/25/2009 11:14:05 AM

+1 Boost

Oh, and if you click the link and view the other pictures you'll see just the car I am referring to.

_43LE - 3/25/2009 11:52:50 AM

+3 Boost

Yes, I know, It's OBVIOUS that it was a combination of the two ideas. My comment was simply a joke. I did see the photos but it's still only something only a mother could love. Just because it's from MB it doesn't necessarily make it beautiful.

AutomotiveEngineer - 3/25/2009 3:40:43 PM

+2 Boost

It's not a car, particularly it's not a roadster.

It's a quadricycle:
http://images.google.com/images?q=quadricycle
and as such belongs more to CyclingSpies.

Do you also call a toddler's tricycle a roadster just because it does not have a roof?

E36er - 3/26/2009 1:28:44 AM

+1 Boost

You got that right, this thing is a Merc gimmick if I ever saw one. What an ugly piece of SCHEISSE. Seriously, this thing gives new meaning to the word retro...it's F1 meets the horseless carriage. This has got to be a joke right?

Further evidence that Merc is losing its design ethos for more stylistic trash. Lose the Korean designer(s) and get back some German-ess into your cars Merc.

Monk - 3/25/2009 11:29:53 AM

+4 Boost

Yes, it's obviously a modern Mercedes design mixed with the FIRST CAR IN THE WORLD's design...
interesting but certainly not ugly

Monk - 3/25/2009 11:32:59 AM

+3 Boost

stitched leather seats and "dash" are awesome

topneuro - 3/25/2009 3:08:43 PM

+1 Boost

The first internal combustion engine automobile, MB. Yes.
THE FIRST CAR IN THE WORLD, design. No.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/automobile.htm
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aacarsgasa.htm
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/01/13/207362.html
http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/06/25/worlds_oldest_car/index.html

caixa2 - 3/25/2009 2:50:27 PM

+1 Boost

I dare to comment: with the economy in the dump and car manufacturers trying their best (supposedly) in making the most of their resources, I am imagining these engineers actually getting PAID to design something that is definitely NOT attractive (to avoid saying it's ugly, otherwise people here will take it personally), something with no function whatsoever, and as a whole, EVERYTHING we would imagine these engineers getting paid NOT to design - no function, no real world practicality and most of all, an insult to car design. Obviously it is based on the original model, but just because it can be done, doesn't mean it's supposed to be done, especially in times like these. These engineers should be ashamed. People in their company are being laid-off and they are doing what with their time???

Anthony - 3/25/2009 4:32:30 PM

+1 Boost

Is outrage really necessary? A) Car companies have always produced concept cars. They are a necessary part of future product-planning, as well as a neat way to showcase new technology and ideas. Many concept cars are designed to have no practicality at all, so that you focus on the technology. B) Mercedes has always paid homage to their history with their concepts. When you have such an illustrious history as the one Mercedes-Benz obviously has, is it really that hard to understand?

holidaytraveldeal01 - 3/26/2009 10:07:32 AM

+1 Boost

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