The F800 is acclaimed as one of the greenest vehicles in existence, placing together two of the basic technologies for the green segment: the hydrogen fuel cell and the plug-in hybrid.
The combined use of the powertrain, based on the V6 found on the S400 hybrid, outputs 409 horsepower (300 from the V6 and 109 from the electric motor). Unfortunately for its green attributes, the F800 can travel 18 miles at most on electricity alone, and that’s only after it has been plugged-in the entire night.
The lithium-ion battery, with a storage capacity of >10 kWh, can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket.
But, as you might figure, this is where the real Mercedes-Benz know-how kicks in. After the very disappointing 18 miles are completed, the hydrogen fuel-cell can be used to travel as much as 375 miles…
Overall, the F800 has a fuel consumption rating of 2.9l/100 km, while emiting 68g of CO2/km. This, Mercedes says, does not affect performances. The F800 accelerates from naught to sixty in 4.7 seconds, while reaching a top speed of 155 mph (75 mph in electric mode).
The second is the Pre-Safe 360-degree system, a sort of 2.0 version of the Pre-Safe collision detection/mitigation system. The new system allows the brakes to be applied if Pre-Safe detects a rear-end collision is imminent, preventing the car from being pushed into the vehicle in front.
The purpose of the F800 is, as we already said, to preview the CLS-Klasse and showcase some new technologies developed by Mercedes. But that’s not all. It also previews the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, announced by Daimler as coming together with the next generation S-Klasse.
autoevolution will be attending the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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