Birthdays are special occasions – even more so if it’s your 125th. For most people, reaching such an age is unlikely, but for Mercedes-Benz it is a fact this year and to celebrate the event, the German automaker unveiled a gullwing concept named -not too imaginatively- F 125! at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The F 125! is a plug-in hybrid that demonstrates Mercedes’ vision for a large luxury coupe of the not-so-far future. The company claims that while its previous research vehicles have “looked ahead” by one model generation or approximately seven to eight years, the F 125! concept “looks” much further, by more than two generations, beyond 2025.
“With the F 125! we want to show that large, comfortable and safe saloons have an excellent future, partly because they are able to operate with no emissions” says Mercedes’ head of Research and Development, Thomas Weber. “The legend is that the S-Class will continue into the future thanks to intelligent solutions.”
The F 125! utilizes a lithium-sulphur high-voltage and high energy density (350 Wh per kg at cell level) battery that powers four individual electric motors, one for each wheel, creating an all-wheel drive system that Mercedes names e4MATIC.
The car’s hydrogen tank is integrated into the floor assembly and has a capacity of 7.5 kg. It can withstand pressure of up to 700 bars and offers a driving range of 1,000 km (622 miles).
According to Mercedes, the F 125! doesn’t sacrifice performance either, as it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).
The bodywork is made of a mix of fibre-reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, aluminium and high-strength steel, resulting in great rigidity but with a significant weight reduction compared to a regular vehicle of this size.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz’s designers wanted to create a cabin with which the driver will be able to interact intuitively. Tech highlights include 3D displays, projector-beam technology, next-generation networked telematics system with social media integration and remote control of vehicle functions., and of course, a semi-autonomous driving via the Advanced Driving System.
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