2025 Mercedes G-Class: the Ener-G-Force Concept
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio released the sci-fi concept G-Class for the Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012.
The team in Carlsbad, CA met the challenge of creating "Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025" by introducing the Ener-G-Force Concept. It is a fuel-cell powered capable off-roader with numerous police-friendly features.
The Ener-G-Force Concept is certainly an interestingly looking vehicle, but how the concept designers came up with the fuel-cell management is particularly interesting.
Here is what they said:
"The Ener-G-Force stores recycled water in tanks on the roof, and transfers it to the 'hydro-tech converter,' where natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells. The storage units for the electricity generated in this process are housed easily accessible in the striking side skirts. The Ener-G-Force emits nothing but water, has an operating range of about 500 miles and as a result truly is a green car. Four wheel-hub motors, whose output for each individual wheel is adapted precisely to the respective terrain by high-performance electronics, provide the pulling power. ... The strikingly styled side skirts house either the energy storage units or hot-swappable battery packs. Changes in the color of the illumination of the side skirts indicate the operating and charge status of the energy packs."
While most of what Mercedes designers stated may belong in the sci-fi fiction genre, the future is often shaped by the forward thinkers who influence the next generation. For that alone, the Ener-G-Force is much more revealing than many other concept vehicles today.
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio released the sci-fi concept G-Class for the Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012.
The team in Carlsbad, CA met the challenge of creating "Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025" by introducing the Ener-G-Force Concept. It is a fuel-cell powered capable off-roader with numerous police-friendly features.
The Ener-G-Force Concept is certainly an interestingly looking vehicle, but how the concept designers came up with the fuel-cell management is particularly interesting.
Here is what they said:
"The Ener-G-Force stores recycled water in tanks on the roof, and transfers it to the 'hydro-tech converter,' where natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells. The storage units for the electricity generated in this process are housed easily accessible in the striking side skirts. The Ener-G-Force emits nothing but water, has an operating range of about 500 miles and as a result truly is a green car. Four wheel-hub motors, whose output for each individual wheel is adapted precisely to the respective terrain by high-performance electronics, provide the pulling power. ... The strikingly styled side skirts house either the energy storage units or hot-swappable battery packs. Changes in the color of the illumination of the side skirts indicate the operating and charge status of the energy packs."
While most of what Mercedes designers stated may belong in the sci-fi fiction genre, the future is often shaped by the forward thinkers who influence the next generation. For that alone, the Ener-G-Force is much more revealing than many other concept vehicles today.
