In this sense, the F 125! marks an important step toward series production of luxury fuel cell automobiles. And that brings us to another important aspect of the research vehicle: the plan to position it in the upper-range and luxury segments. This is a very challenging and also an important objective. After all, if it is achieved, Mercedes-Benz will have successfully demonstrated that large, comfortable, and safe sedans are headed for a great future. The bodyshell concept for the four-seat F 125! is geared toward this ambitious goal. For one thing, both the front and rear overhangs have been reduced to a minimum. This has made it possible to use an extremely long wheelbase of 3,333 millimeters. It has also led to a very spacious interior and gull-wing doors along the entire vehicle width. As a result, the driver and passengers have excellent access to their seats.
The body of the F 125! is based on an innovative hybrid lightweight construction with a large proportion of fiber-reinforced plastics, aluminum, and high-strength steels. As a result, it has been possible to substantially reduce the vehicle’s weight, while significantly improving safety. The research vehicle’s high-strength structure with crash-responsive protection systems inside the doors makes it possible to eliminate the B-pillars and therefore use full gull-wing doors.
Lounge-like atmosphere: The interior of the F 125! Click to enlarge.
Mercedes engineers and designers have lent the interior of the F 125! a lounge-like atmosphere. Switches can be used to move the rear seat from an upright position to a chaise longue position. The seat cushion extends forward while a footrest folds out at the same time, ensuring an extremely comfortable resting position. The front passenger seat backrest can also be completely folded down to create a spacious lounge environment and a clear view of a retractable 17-inch display mounted in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat. The interior also makes a big impression with its futuristic high-quality look. The design lines are based on those found in nature, as are the materials used – most notably wood, Alcantara, and silk.
Mercedes-Benz brings together all the new control, infotainment, and telematics features in the F 125! with its “@yourCOMAND” system. The vehicle complies with all wishes in a very pleasant manner. “Natural handling” is what the developers of the F 125! call their control concept, which mainly utilizes natural voice commands supplemented with intuitive gestures and touching. Examples here include using speech to call up e-mails, using gestures to open and close the gull-wing doors or operate the 17-inch display on the passenger side of the vehicle, and entering and changing vehicle settings via intuitive touchpads.
A network of multimedia systems: The interior of the F 125! Click to enlarge.
The F 125! introduces other completely new concepts as well. They include “seamless experience,” a network of multimedia systems that are interactive but not distracting. Then there’s “remote convenience,” which enables all applications and content to be configured by remote control. “Sensory perfection” refers to high-end sound quality and high-resolution screens that display personalized information in brilliant images that in some cases take the form of 3D depictions. It’s already apparent today that more and more Internet applications will be using cloud computing in the future – in other words, linked to a virtual memory on the Web. That’s why the F 125! is also constantly connected to such a cloud. The vehicle has its own website that allows its owner to remotely set the climate control system, for example. The COMAND system of tomorrow will also be proactive. For example, drivers will be able to start their trip with a traffic report or a recital of their incoming messages before their personal music program begins. A weather report might then automatically be provided shortly before their trip ends. The F 125! also opens up completely new dimensions when it comes to external communication and the utilization of social networks. The Social Community Assistant, for example, allows drivers to decide who will be permitted to disturb them during a trip.
The F 125! is also equipped with extremely effective assistance systems that ease the burden on drivers in a sustained manner. One such system is Advanced Driving Assist for semi-autonomous driving, which makes it possible to automatically change lanes on multi-lane one-way streets or highways. When further developed, it will also carry out automated passing maneuvers. Thanks to car-to-X communication – the networking of vehicles with the external infrastructure and environment via radio – the F 125! can exchange information with other vehicles and specially equipped infrastructure components such as traffic lights, warning systems, and traffic control centers. The F 125! can therefore warn that an emergency vehicle is approaching even before the driver sees or hears it. It can even inform a driver that there is an obstacle ahead or advise him or her to allow another vehicle the right of way at an upcoming, confusing intersection.
All the technology and features in the F 125! were packed into an exciting design that’s as masterful as it is distinctive. The vehicle is a perfect example of what the sporty touring sedan of the future might look like. And, of course, it embodies the visionary further development of the Mercedes-Benz design strategy. The message being sent out by the F 125! research vehicle is clear: The future of the automobile has arrived.
Text: Rüdiger Abele
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F 125!
In this sense, the F 125! marks an important step toward series production of luxury fuel cell automobiles. And that brings us to another important aspect of the research vehicle: the plan to position it in the upper-range and luxury segments. This is a very challenging and also an important objective. After all, if it is achieved, Mercedes-Benz will have successfully demonstrated that large, comfortable, and safe sedans are headed for a great future. The bodyshell concept for the four-seat F 125! is geared toward this ambitious goal. For one thing, both the front and rear overhangs have been reduced to a minimum. This has made it possible to use an extremely long wheelbase of 3,333 millimeters. It has also led to a very spacious interior and gull-wing doors along the entire vehicle width. As a result, the driver and passengers have excellent access to their seats.
The body of the F 125! is based on an innovative hybrid lightweight construction with a large proportion of fiber-reinforced plastics, aluminum, and high-strength steels. As a result, it has been possible to substantially reduce the vehicle’s weight, while significantly improving safety. The research vehicle’s high-strength structure with crash-responsive protection systems inside the doors makes it possible to eliminate the B-pillars and therefore use full gull-wing doors.
Lounge-like atmosphere: The interior of the F 125! Click to enlarge.
Mercedes engineers and designers have lent the interior of the F 125! a lounge-like atmosphere. Switches can be used to move the rear seat from an upright position to a chaise longue position. The seat cushion extends forward while a footrest folds out at the same time, ensuring an extremely comfortable resting position. The front passenger seat backrest can also be completely folded down to create a spacious lounge environment and a clear view of a retractable 17-inch display mounted in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat. The interior also makes a big impression with its futuristic high-quality look. The design lines are based on those found in nature, as are the materials used – most notably wood, Alcantara, and silk.
Mercedes-Benz brings together all the new control, infotainment, and telematics features in the F 125! with its “@yourCOMAND” system. The vehicle complies with all wishes in a very pleasant manner. “Natural handling” is what the developers of the F 125! call their control concept, which mainly utilizes natural voice commands supplemented with intuitive gestures and touching. Examples here include using speech to call up e-mails, using gestures to open and close the gull-wing doors or operate the 17-inch display on the passenger side of the vehicle, and entering and changing vehicle settings via intuitive touchpads.
A network of multimedia systems: The interior of the F 125! Click to enlarge.
The F 125! introduces other completely new concepts as well. They include “seamless experience,” a network of multimedia systems that are interactive but not distracting. Then there’s “remote convenience,” which enables all applications and content to be configured by remote control. “Sensory perfection” refers to high-end sound quality and high-resolution screens that display personalized information in brilliant images that in some cases take the form of 3D depictions. It’s already apparent today that more and more Internet applications will be using cloud computing in the future – in other words, linked to a virtual memory on the Web. That’s why the F 125! is also constantly connected to such a cloud. The vehicle has its own website that allows its owner to remotely set the climate control system, for example. The COMAND system of tomorrow will also be proactive. For example, drivers will be able to start their trip with a traffic report or a recital of their incoming messages before their personal music program begins. A weather report might then automatically be provided shortly before their trip ends. The F 125! also opens up completely new dimensions when it comes to external communication and the utilization of social networks. The Social Community Assistant, for example, allows drivers to decide who will be permitted to disturb them during a trip.
The F 125! is also equipped with extremely effective assistance systems that ease the burden on drivers in a sustained manner. One such system is Advanced Driving Assist for semi-autonomous driving, which makes it possible to automatically change lanes on multi-lane one-way streets or highways. When further developed, it will also carry out automated passing maneuvers. Thanks to car-to-X communication – the networking of vehicles with the external infrastructure and environment via radio – the F 125! can exchange information with other vehicles and specially equipped infrastructure components such as traffic lights, warning systems, and traffic control centers. The F 125! can therefore warn that an emergency vehicle is approaching even before the driver sees or hears it. It can even inform a driver that there is an obstacle ahead or advise him or her to allow another vehicle the right of way at an upcoming, confusing intersection.
Text: Rüdiger Abele
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F800 Style »