Mercedes-Benz to reveal new EQ compact car concept and fuel cell plug-in hybrid GLC at Frankfurt show

Mercedes-Benz to reveal new EQ compact car concept and fuel cell plug-in hybrid GLC at Frankfurt show

Mercedes-Benz has revealed what it plans to exhibit at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September, which includes a few alternative-fuel vehicles along with more recent introductions like the new S-Class and X-Class pick-up truck.

The first is what it describes as the “first, fully electric EQ concept vehicle within the compact car segment,” with EQ being its electric vehicle sub-brand. As you’d expect, further details about the show car is non-existent, although we could be seeing a preview for a future all-electric A-Class or CLA model.

Last year at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz stated its first series-production EQ model will be launched in the SUV segment, and wheeled out the Generation EQ show car as well. The futuristic-looking concept could accommodate lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of over 70 kWh that are charged via the usual wallbox or wireless induction.

Next up is the production/pre-production version of a fuel cell plug-in hybrid vehicle, called the GLC F-Cell EQ Power, which will also be making its first ever appearance at the event. The carmaker says the SUV “combines practical advantages such as a long range and short hydrogen fuelling times with locally emission-free driving.”

The company had previously revealed a GLC F-Cell prototype (pictured here) last year, which features both a hydrogen fuel cell drive system and on-board charging system to supply power to the 9-kWh lithium-ion battery.

The former is paired with two carbon-fibre encased tanks that hold around four kg of hydrogen, and can be refilled in just three minutes, which is about the same amount of time to refill a regular fossil fuel-powered car. Alternatively, it can also be plugged into a Mercedes-Benz wall box or a public charging station to keep the battery fed.

When running purely on the battery alone, it is capable of an all-electric range of 50 km, and when the fuel cell is factored in, that number goes up to 500 km (figures based on NEDC). The system also features an energy recuperation function, allowing energy to be recuperated and stored in the battery during braking and coasting.

However, we’ll have to wait for the carmaker to release more details about its fuel cell plug-in hybrid vehicle during the Frankfurt show to really nail down the details. The company has been making a strong push to develop electric vehicles, with its parent company Daimler previously announcing it will invest quite a fair bit to fund the cause.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Syiok Syiok Sendiri on Aug 22, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    amazing, all car companies are investing so much of money into various technologies and fuel cells. In Malaysia, still makan ketupat and rilaks

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
  • “When running purely on the battery along,…”

    Along what???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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