2007 Mercedes-Benz F700 Concept

Mercedes-Benz' display at this week's Frankfurt auto show will include the F700, a dazzling and dizzying collection of technology bundled into a concept-car body that could be an early preview of the next S-Class sedan.

The concept's DiesOtto prototype unit, say its engineers, offers the torque and fuel consumption of a diesel, with the power and emissions quality of gas. Despite its small size of 1.8 liters, it can deliver 238 hp of power. That's more than a standard 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine or a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel. The electric hybrid motors add another 20 horsepower. All told, the drivetrain could propel the F700 to 62 mph in about 7.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of more than 120 mph - more than useful power, though not quite SLR-speedy.

The DiesOtto is more efficient because it's a smaller, more compact design, and uses two-stage serial turbocharging. Running on gas, it has a spark plug at the top of each cylinder, but they don't fire on every cycle. If the driver accelerates hard they will spark, but if he's being more gentle, ignition of the fuel/air mix is caused by compression - as in a diesel - so the spark isn't needed. Mercedes calls this innovation Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI).

Cost is an issue with the engine - diesel cars are already more expensive because the engines cost more to make. The expensive extra technology involved on the DiesOtto will be an issue vehicle manufacturers will have to address, as GM is also experimenting with a similar concept.

The fishlike silhouette, combined with the long wheelbase, creates a dramatically larger interior that enabled designers to pencil in a new seating concept in the rear. Known as REVERSE, the setup uses a rear-hinged right rear door and movable right-rear seat to create a new environment behind the driver and front passenger. The movable seat can be positioned in the traditional spot - or, the front passenger seat can be folded down and the right-rear seat can be rotated so that rear passengers can face each other in conversation. Leather and cork trim dress up the interior.

© Source: thecarconnection
We need your comments below >>