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Category: Fuel cell Consumption: 81mpg
Range: 250 miles On sale: 2012-2015
The F600 is the showboating advance party for what will be Mercedes' next fuel-cell vehicle in a couple of years. Replacing the A-class F-cell and based on the B-class, this new productionised version will use much of the F600's tech. It'll be the seventh incarnation of a Mercedes-badged fuel-cell, but only the second to be used in fleet road trials and very likely the last experimental fuel cell before sales begin in earnest come 2012ish. Quite important, this F600.
Riding in the F600 demonstrates how much quieter it is compared to the 2003 F-cell. The noisy air compressor has been replaced by a near-silent electric turbocharger that reduces the factory-siren whine at start-up, and the engine is quiet on the move, whereas the old one certainly wasn't. Acceleration is sharp, constant and entirely adequate.
Under a flap (right) in the electric tailgate is another fuel-cell bonus: a domestic-voltage plug socket. Theoretically one fuel-cell car could generate enough power for several homes, and certainly enough for an outdoor event. In a car packed full of the promise of a friendly future, the abundant electricity also heats or cools the cupholders and powers individual back-supporting elements within the seats.
There's still a way to go before we're humming to work, dripping fresh water as we drive. The F600's drivetrain is still too heavy collectively. It's also too expensive by "between 10 and 100 times", according to one coy DC executive. Needing platinum in the chemical process doesn't help (although there's a lot less than there was). But with the F600, DaimlerChrysler has nosed ahead in the race to drop cars from the CO2 axis of evil.