the 2010 Mercedes F800: Kings and Things to Come

In addition to its name,
Mercedes- Benz F800,
the most striking thing
isn't the car's unique
styling as first shown at
the Geneva auto show,
but its showcase of up-
coming powertrain and
convenience technology.

With the possible excep-
tion of its rear sliding
doors, expect to see many
of the wow gadgets on
future E-Class or S-Class

Mercedes sedans. Additionally, the exterior styling of the F800 will be in
the next CLS-Class coupe. The F800 is about 20-inches shorter than the
current S-Class and about six inches shorter than the current CLS-Class.

Motivation for the F800 will be a hydrogen fuel cell or a plug-in
hybrid system. The fuel cell version will make 136 horsepower
and 214 ft. lb. of torque. And the more 'customary' (although
most people have not even driven a hybrid yet) hybrid setup will
provide about 400 horsepower and a range of up to 375 miles in
between recharges. Thus, the hybrid F800 will do 0-60 in 4.7
seconds and have a top speed of 155 mph. Furthermore, when
the F800 is driven with a light right foot, it will be capable of
about 80 mpg.

The future technology end of the F800 will consist of 'Traffic Jam
Assist.' The system builds on Mercedes current Distronic cruise
control. Thus, the F800 will be able to automatically follow vehicles
ahead at speeds up to 25 miles per hour even through curves. Further-
more, the new Pre-Safe 360-degree system will keep the driver from
getting into a rear end as well as a front end collision.

Last, but not least, the F800 will have a Range on Map function that
will show how far the car can travel from a 360-degree graphic on the
consol NAV screen.

One of the F800's most unique ideas is its pivot and slide rear doors.
The result is that entry and exit of the vehicle is much more convenient.
The rear doors are suspended by an interior swivel arm thus eliminating
the unsightly track marks that we see on minivans.

With the Mercedes F800, technology and styling are king.
Hopefully, drivers other than kings will be able to afford this
coming Mercedes.

Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net. Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best
for the Price..." www.DriveTheBestBook.com.