On January 29, Mercedes-Benz celebrated, in style, the 125th anniversary of the first car in the world. A series of events marked the day in Germany, including the very special start of the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive.
Announced since the early days of January as a 125-day journey across the world in B-Klasse F-Cell vehicles, the drive is meant as both a celebration tool and a means for Mercedes to show the world how it believes the future will look like.
The start of the World Drive, which took place in Stuttgart on Sunday, was announced by Dieter Zetsche, Daimler's chairman, who, in front of important guests, including German chancellor Angela Merkel, pulled a gun and fired the starting shot.
"Some 125 years after the invention of the motor car, for us the B-Class F-CELL embodies its reinvention", said Zetsche.
"As an event which is currently unique, this circumnavigation of the world in customer-ready fuel cell vehicles again demonstrates that we have sufficient pioneering spirit for at least another 125 years of innovation."
Once on the road, the three F-Cell cars will not stop for 125 days. The vehicles will reach 14 countries, all types of climate imaginable and, who knows, perhaps new heights of efficiency.
The B-Klasse F-Cell is one of the models at the core of Daimler's green vision. Powered by fuel cell system which comprises a 136 hp electric motor (290 Nm of torque) with cold-start capability, the model is capable of reaching 250 miles (400 km) before refueling. And when it does refuel, the car only takes on hydrogen.
Announced since the early days of January as a 125-day journey across the world in B-Klasse F-Cell vehicles, the drive is meant as both a celebration tool and a means for Mercedes to show the world how it believes the future will look like.
The start of the World Drive, which took place in Stuttgart on Sunday, was announced by Dieter Zetsche, Daimler's chairman, who, in front of important guests, including German chancellor Angela Merkel, pulled a gun and fired the starting shot.
"Some 125 years after the invention of the motor car, for us the B-Class F-CELL embodies its reinvention", said Zetsche.
"As an event which is currently unique, this circumnavigation of the world in customer-ready fuel cell vehicles again demonstrates that we have sufficient pioneering spirit for at least another 125 years of innovation."
Once on the road, the three F-Cell cars will not stop for 125 days. The vehicles will reach 14 countries, all types of climate imaginable and, who knows, perhaps new heights of efficiency.
The B-Klasse F-Cell is one of the models at the core of Daimler's green vision. Powered by fuel cell system which comprises a 136 hp electric motor (290 Nm of torque) with cold-start capability, the model is capable of reaching 250 miles (400 km) before refueling. And when it does refuel, the car only takes on hydrogen.