Mercedes-Benz is set to launch its first-ever series-produced fuel cell car, it emerged on Friday (28th August).

The German manufacturer will unveil its B Class F-CELL vehicle later this year and the first 200 units should hit the road in Europe and the US in the early stages of 2010.

According to the company, the car features a zero-emission drive system which uses the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100km in the New European Driving Cycle.

In addition, the electric motor has the capacity to offer a maximum of 100kW and 136hp, while also reaching a highest torque of 290Nm with a range of 400km.

Dr Thomas Weber, a board member at Daimler AG, the company responsible for group research and development at Mercedes-Benz, described the new car as a "milestone".

He said: "The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world's first fuel cell-powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions."

The vehicle makes use of a lithium-ion battery with an output of 35kW and a capacity of 1.4kW/h, which helps to increase power and help in the recovery of braking energy.

Mercedes-Benz claims to have over 100 fuel cell vehicles which have completed a combined 4.5 million km worth of testing.

Source:

New fuel cell car from Mercedes-Benz: 100 percent driving pleasure, zero emissions (28/08/09)

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