Mercedes-Benz has traveled to the annual CES show to display a new concept car called F 015 Luxury in Motion. Highly futuristic, the show car was built to preview the autonomous technology that is currently being developed at Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
To say that the F 015 features an unconventional design would be an understatement. About as big as a new S-Class, the concept is fitted with LED inserts in the grille in lieu of headlights, a nearly horizontal windshield, 26-inch alloy wheels and rear suicide doors that open at a 90-degree angle, eliminating the need for a B-pillar.
The atypical design continues out back with LEDs integrated into the rear bumper and a small QR code that replaces the license plate. Three-pointed star emblem aside, the only visual connection between the F 015 and current members of the Mercedes lineup is the rear light bar, which is loosely inspired by the tail lamps found on the BMW X6-fighting 2016 GLE Coupe that will be presented in Detroit next week.
The lounge-like interior is just as futuristic as the exterior, reflecting the highly innovative nature of the car. The dashboard as we know it has been replaced by a wide touch screen that displays data such as navigation directions as well as vital information about the car and its surroundings. Similarly, the door panels have been tossed out in favor of high-definition color touch screens that ensure none of the occupants get bored on long trips.
The F 015 can accommodate four adults on individual leather-upholstered seats. If the car is driving itself, the steering wheel retracts into the dashboard and the front seats can swivel 180 degrees, making it possible to hold a meeting on the go or simply relax with friends.
The F 015 accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds thanks to a hydrogen-electric hybrid drivetrain that generates a total output of 272 horsepower. Gas mileage checks in at a 117 mpg in a mixed European cycle, and the sedan boasts a total driving range of over 680 miles while emitting nothing but water vapor.
Although the F 015 Luxury in Motion concept is far from production, Mercedes boldly predicts that cars like it will roam the streets of big cities all over the globe by 2030.
