As many of you car fanatics already know, the Tokyo Motor Show is taking place later this month.  What you may not know, however, is that Mercedes has used the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil their last two F-Class Concept Cars (you can find more info on these at the end of the story).  In keeping with tradition, Auto Bild is reporting that Mercedes is once again set to debut their latest concept, dubbed the "F600 Hygenius," in Tokyo later this month.

Before I delve into specifics, I have to warn you - this information was taken from a roughly translated German page, so I may misinterpret some facts.  Now that that's out of the way, on with the car.  As you can see from the photos, the F600 looks similar to current production A and B-Class models.  That however, is where the similarities end.  The Hygenious, as it is so modestly titled, is the first Mercedes to utilize fuel cell technolgy in combination with an electric motor.  The result is a car that functions much like current hybrids, without the gas (or diesel).

If you've read about other Mercedes' fuel cell vehicles, such as the F-Cell, you already know their range is somewhat limited. Mercedes has addressed the issue, at least partly, with the F600. The concept features re-designed fuel cells, which Mercedes claim will produce 30% more power while being 16% more efficient. To futher benefit the F600's range, Mercedes added a high torque electric motor, which, like current hybrids, powers the vehicle in city driving and stop and go traffic. The result is a range of approximately 250 miles, a noticeable improvement over the current F-Cell's 100 mile mark. 

Before you get too excited, there is one last thing we have to mention.  Mercedes doesn't expect the F600's technology to be available until the year 2012, or 2,272 days if you want to start counting.

Personally, I think the technology behind F600 Hygenius is great. I've said it before and I'll say it again - hybrids are a temporary solution; fuel cells will change the future.  Now that you know my view on fuel cells, I need to address Mercedes for a second.  Guys, would it kill you to add fuel cell technology to a car that I'd actually want to drive?  It's a concept car, it's not supposed to look like a Volkswagen Golf. I'd much rather see an F400 Hygenius than a hatchback...

Sorry, I'm getting carried away as usual.  You can check out the full story on the F600 at AutoBild.de, and as I promised at the beginning of the story, you can find a couple photos of previous F-Class models below.  If you'd like to learn more about Mercedes concept cars, you can visit Mercedes' website and see all of them here.

[UPDATE:  Mercedes has officially confirmed the F600 Hygenius will be released in Tokyo.  For more photos and full press release, click here.]






Mercedes-Benz F400 Carving Concept Vehicle



Mercedes-Benz F500 Mind Concept Vehicle


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