Filed under: MPG, Mercedes Benz, Frankfurt Motor Show, HCCI
Frankfurt 2007: Mercedes-Benz F700 research vehicle with DiesOtto
Click on the Mercedes F700 for a high-res gallery
At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off their F700 concept featuring their DiesOtto engine. Like the engine recently demonstrated by General Motors, this one is a combination HCCI/spark ignition design. However, Mercedes has decided to add turbo-charging to the mix to provide a a 1.8L four cylinder that yields performance in this large sedan that's comparable to the 3.5L V-6 in the current S-Class with average fuel economy of 44.3 mpg. The carbon dioxide emissions of the F700 are only 127 g/km which would put it below the proposed EU limit of 130 g/km.
This new engine technology is wrapped in a full-sized luxury sedan that takes the look of the current S-Class to a whole new level. Short overhangs are combined with a low nose that appears to have no bumper. The body is supported on an electro-hydraulic active suspension system that uses front mounted lasers to scan the road surface and make adjustments proactively. The press release is after the jump.
Gallery: Frankfurt 2007 Mercedes-Benz F700
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Mercedes-Benz F 700: Mercedes-Benz shows the future of the superior touring sedan
Stuttgart – With its F 700 research car, Mercedes-Benz redefines the idea of effortless, superior refinement: this concept for a future luxurious touring sedan shows how outstanding riding quality can be combined with high levels of environmental friendliness, and good performance with exceptionally low fuel consumption. Thus, the 5.17 meter long F 700 with its innovative and very spacious interior design enables an entirely new and exceedingly comfortable mode of travel. The F 700 is the world's first car that can anticipatively recognize the condition of the road and level out the uneven spots with its active PRE-SCAN suspension, further improving suspension comfort substantially. The forward-pointing DIESOTTO drive system introduced in the F 700, a four-cylinder with a displacement of only 1.8 liters, combines the strong points of the low-emission gasoline engine with the consumption benefits of the diesel drive. Its CO2 emissions of a mere 127 grams per kilometer correspond to consumption of only 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (44.3 mpg), extremely low for a vehicle of this class.
This is made possible by a forward-looking drive concept, the heart of which is the "DIESOTTO" technology – an advancement of the internal combustion engine thought up by Mercedes-Benz. With its novel controlled auto ignition (CAI), direct fuel injection and turbocharging, it combines the high power of the spark-ignition engine with the exemplary torque and great fuel economy of a diesel. The drive system in the F 700, as four-cylinder featuring two-stage charging, attains the performance level of a current S-Class car with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 gasoline engine or the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel.
"Our goal is to make the gasoline-powered car just as economical in consumption as the diesel. The new DIESOTTO concept is a major step in that direction, combining the best properties of the spark-ignition engine and the diesel engine," says Dr. Thomas Weber, Board member of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for Group Research & Mercedes Car Group Development.
The F 700 also sets standards in regard to road roar, tire vibration and suspension comfort. With two laser scanners the active PRE-SCAN suspension scans the roadway in front of the car. The hydraulically controlled active suspension proactively compensates for detected hindrances, enabling entirely new comfort characteristics –a "flying carpet" feeling.
Equally innovative is the operating concept "SERVO-HMI". The display is not only particularly gentle on the eyes; the number of controls also has been appreciably reduced and the menu structure has been made strikingly simple and self-explanatory. The driver can "discuss" more complex inputs, such as a destination for navigation purposes, in dialogue with an avatar, a virtual operating assistant.
The exterior design of the F 700 shows that with this concept an extraordinary amount of space has been created for the passengers. The very silhouette, characterized by the long wheelbase, is a clear indication of this. The design harmoniously joins together inspirations provided by nature with technical innovation. All the futuristic styling devices notwithstanding, the F 700 is perfectly compliant with the brand identity of Mercedes-Benz.
The interior concept interprets comfortable travel and well-being in a completely new way. With its REVERSE seat the F 700 breaks up the firmly established seat arrangement of conventional sedans and offers individual seating positions facing, or with one's back to, the direction of travel, always affording maximum spaciousness and supreme comfort.
The F 700 provides inspiring ideas for the technological future of Mercedes-Benz once again – like each of the research cars which preceded it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Schmeltz 1:51PM (9/11/2007)
H.C.C.I. engines could really get some traction in the marketplace if made to be cost competitive and trouble free. Now I'm guessing that an F700 wouldn't be cheap if they made it, but if they can scale down the technology for other vehicles, say perhaps a 70 mpg Jetta sized car for instance, and at the price of a hybrid or diesel version, they probably wouldn't be able to make enough of them. That is amazing...44 mpg with a car the size of an S Class!
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DesignPope 6:58PM (9/18/2007)
What a great technology packaged in sheer boredom and bad taste. Chinese Car Design starts to look good compared to this Aquablob. Who the hell works at Meredes Design???
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X VW Designer 12:43PM (9/19/2007)
Just some Automobile Designer gossip, and why the F700 is so nauseatingly bad!!! I just happen to know a Gorden Wagener who is supposedly responsible for this ugly thing. / A few years ago Mr. Wagener was almost fired from Volkswagen Design and fled to Mercedes./
I read something about the design theme on this show car being AQUA DYNAMICS. Vow , maybe because it looks like a dead whale ready to sink to the bottom of the Ocean!!!
If this AQUABLOB would not have the Mercedes grille and star on it, and lets say it would have been a Chinese Cherry Concept the press would have ripped it to pieces.
We are going to see some ghastly Benzes if hotshot Gorden Wagener is given the powers to make any decisions at MB design
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Kenneth Rose 9:34PM (11/17/2007)
it also takes the lag out of turbos, too.
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Prof. murthy Basapur 5:28PM (12/06/2008)
Instead of hovering around spark ignition and compression ignition, why are not efforts may be made to increase miles per gallon rating using energy of wind blowing around the car. I feel we can reach upto 75 mpg with this design.
Tentative concepts and design are getting ready if some one wants to implement it.
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Vincent G. Smith, Jr. 11:57PM (6/23/2009)
The Mercedes-Benz F 700 is a truly brilliant design concept sedan. It's a real beauty. I love it! I don't know what's the matter with those dull, uninteresting people who are knocking what is obviously a genious design concept. Mr. Gorden Wagener, I applaud you and your design staff. Keep up the good work and ignore the jealous opposition. You are on the right track. Vincent G. Smith, Jr., CML, just another MB enthusiast.
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