Daimler-Benz deliberately chose the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 1991 – the first major trade show of the year – to present a very special automobile: the Mercedes-Benz F 100. The first car in the “F” series . This research car gave tangible expression to the vision of engineers and market strategists for the automobile of the future. Never before had so many ideas and innovative technologies been realized in a fully operational car.
This car put the results of accident and social research resolutely into practice. Statistically, a car is occupied by 1.2 to 1.7 persons – driver included. So the driver deserves the safest place, which is the centre position, with its large distances to car body parts. Furthermore, the driver can always get out of the car on the off-traffic side. Passengers also benefit from the concept. The two seats behind the driver are offset, rather than fixed in a row, so that the passengers are a considerable distance from the dashboard, which likewise improves safety. Two more passengers are seated towards the middle of the vehicle between the sturdy rear wheel houses.
The body of the F 100, with its prominent tail end, anticipated the customer demand of later years – hatchbacks, estate cars and other vehicles that afford more than ample space on four wheels have become more and more popular. The vehicle is unlocked with a chip card, instead of a key. It is inserted into a reading slot and electronically controls and adjusts the seat and steering positions as required.
A new door concept eases access to the F 100: the hinged and swiveling doors for the driver take away a bit of the vehicle floor and roof when opened. When closed, the doors overlap at three points and fully compensate for the disadvantage of the slim-line floor. The rear-seat passengers get into the F 100 via space-saving, swiveling and sliding doors; the B-pillar was dispensed with to allow easy access without impairing crashworthiness. Instead of having to close the doors, they can all be left slightly ajar – servomotors then pull them into their locks.
The gauges are arranged around the driver. A screen moves the crucial information into the centre of attention at all times. A distinction is made between three logical priorities – ranging from speedometer to warnings – for the forthcoming, safe journey. The F 100 used a conventional cathode ray tube, which has long since been replaced by silicon-based displays in present-day cars. A forward-looking feature was the use of optical fibres instead of copper wires for signal transmission. The steering wheel had a fixed impact absorber and integral controls for activating the car phone and voice control.
Numerous electronic units assist the driver and enhance safety, one of these being the distance warning radar. Another radar system monitors traffic behind the car and warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot when changing lanes. It can also be used for automatic lane holding. When the driver puts the car into reverse, a camera is extended from the rear spoiler, and images are displayed on the monitor.
The front headlights are very compact thanks to the first-time use of gas discharge lamps, today known as xenon lamps and a common feature on cars. The rear lights consist of transparent prismatic rods, which serve as light-wave conductors and take their energy from a central light source in the color required for the immediate function.
Together with the back window, they are cleaned by a rear wiper, discreetly concealed underneath the roof spoiler when not in use. The windscreen is cleaned by a linear wiper, which is guided across the entire width of the windscreen at top and bottom and thus sweeps almost the entire glazed area. A sensor in the windscreen ensures that the wiper is automatically switched on when it rains
Solar cells are integrated in the roof to support the batteries. Almost two square meters in area, they generate an output of 100 watts, which, among other things, provides power for the ventilation when the car is stationary, thus keeping temperatures at a pleasant level. By way of its car phone, including voice control, mobile fax and a personal computer, the F 100 anticipated the communication and work options of later production vehicles.
Different engine concepts were examined in the F 100, including a modified internal combustion engine operating on hydrogen. The vehicle has front-wheel drive – a novelty for Mercedes-Benz at the time. It rolls on CTS (Continental Tire System) tires with flat-running properties, and the tyre pressure is electronically monitored. The suspension features hydropneumatic auxiliary spring elements, enhancing comfort and handling safety. The first sandwich floor was realized in the F 100. This feature subsequently made it to large-scale production in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In the event of a crash, the engine – guided by the sloped firewall – slides downwards underneath the passengers, so that they are protected.
With all its qualities, the Mercedes-Benz F 100 was not simply a test mule for the engineers – it represented a new type of automobile. It anticipated the future of mobility, which has partly become reality since the car made its debut in 1991. At the same time, it emphasized the fact that the customer is the focus of technical progress when a research vehicle is designed.
• Central driver’s seat
• High level of crash safety
• Steering wheel with fixed impact absorber
• Telephone operation by means of steering wheel buttons [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1998, W 220 series)]
• Novel door concept
• Sophisticated ergonomics
• Autonomous intelligent cruise control – [Production launch under the name DISTRONIC in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1998, W 220 series)]
• Radar system for monitoring following traffic – [Production launch under the name Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist in the Mercedes-Benz S- and CL-Class (2010, W 221 and C 216 series)]
• Solar cell roof – [Production launch with the panoramic roof of the Maybach 62 (2002)]
• Gas-discharge headlights – [Production launch under the name xenon headlights in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1995, W 210 series)]
• Prismatic rod-type taillights
• Linear windshield wipers
• Office equipment (voice-controlled telephone, fax, PC) – [Production launch of voice recognition for the car phone under the name LINGUATRONIC in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1996, W 140 series)]
• CTS tires (Continental Tire System) with flat-running properties
• Electronic tire pressure monitoring – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz CL (1999, C 215 series)]
• Electric parking brake – [Production launch under the name ADAPTIVE BRAKE in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2005, W 221 series)]
• Optical fibers for signal transmission
• Rain sensor – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1995, W 140 series)]
• Chip card instead of car keys – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1999, W 220 series)]
• Automatic adjustment of seat and steering wheel
• Sandwich floor – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1997, W 168 series)]
• Reversing camera
• Proximity warning radar – [Production launch under the name DISTRONIC PLUS/Brake Assist PLUS in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2005, W 221 series) and in the Mercedes-Benz CL- and E-Class (2006, C 216 and W 212 series)]
• Lane Keeping Assist – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class (2009, W 221 and W 212 series)]
8. The C111 design study was originally baptized , the C101 project. However, the “0 (zero)” in the middle had to disappear , since this number combination has long been protected by....
Jan 7 2014
1991 Mercedes-Benz F100
Daimler-Benz deliberately chose the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 1991 – the first major trade show of the year – to present a very special automobile: the Mercedes-Benz F 100. The first car in the “F” series . This research car gave tangible expression to the vision of engineers and market strategists for the automobile of the future. Never before had so many ideas and innovative technologies been realized in a fully operational car.
This car put the results of accident and social research resolutely into practice. Statistically, a car is occupied by 1.2 to 1.7 persons – driver included. So the driver deserves the safest place, which is the centre position, with its large distances to car body parts. Furthermore, the driver can always get out of the car on the off-traffic side. Passengers also benefit from the concept. The two seats behind the driver are offset, rather than fixed in a row, so that the passengers are a considerable distance from the dashboard, which likewise improves safety. Two more passengers are seated towards the middle of the vehicle between the sturdy rear wheel houses.
The body of the F 100, with its prominent tail end, anticipated the customer demand of later years – hatchbacks, estate cars and other vehicles that afford more than ample space on four wheels have become more and more popular. The vehicle is unlocked with a chip card, instead of a key. It is inserted into a reading slot and electronically controls and adjusts the seat and steering positions as required.
A new door concept eases access to the F 100: the hinged and swiveling doors for the driver take away a bit of the vehicle floor and roof when opened. When closed, the doors overlap at three points and fully compensate for the disadvantage of the slim-line floor. The rear-seat passengers get into the F 100 via space-saving, swiveling and sliding doors; the B-pillar was dispensed with to allow easy access without impairing crashworthiness. Instead of having to close the doors, they can all be left slightly ajar – servomotors then pull them into their locks.
The gauges are arranged around the driver. A screen moves the crucial information into the centre of attention at all times. A distinction is made between three logical priorities – ranging from speedometer to warnings – for the forthcoming, safe journey. The F 100 used a conventional cathode ray tube, which has long since been replaced by silicon-based displays in present-day cars. A forward-looking feature was the use of optical fibres instead of copper wires for signal transmission. The steering wheel had a fixed impact absorber and integral controls for activating the car phone and voice control.
Numerous electronic units assist the driver and enhance safety, one of these being the distance warning radar. Another radar system monitors traffic behind the car and warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot when changing lanes. It can also be used for automatic lane holding. When the driver puts the car into reverse, a camera is extended from the rear spoiler, and images are displayed on the monitor.
The front headlights are very compact thanks to the first-time use of gas discharge lamps, today known as xenon lamps and a common feature on cars. The rear lights consist of transparent prismatic rods, which serve as light-wave conductors and take their energy from a central light source in the color required for the immediate function.
Together with the back window, they are cleaned by a rear wiper, discreetly concealed underneath the roof spoiler when not in use. The windscreen is cleaned by a linear wiper, which is guided across the entire width of the windscreen at top and bottom and thus sweeps almost the entire glazed area. A sensor in the windscreen ensures that the wiper is automatically switched on when it rains
Solar cells are integrated in the roof to support the batteries. Almost two square meters in area, they generate an output of 100 watts, which, among other things, provides power for the ventilation when the car is stationary, thus keeping temperatures at a pleasant level. By way of its car phone, including voice control, mobile fax and a personal computer, the F 100 anticipated the communication and work options of later production vehicles.
Different engine concepts were examined in the F 100, including a modified internal combustion engine operating on hydrogen. The vehicle has front-wheel drive – a novelty for Mercedes-Benz at the time. It rolls on CTS (Continental Tire System) tires with flat-running properties, and the tyre pressure is electronically monitored. The suspension features hydropneumatic auxiliary spring elements, enhancing comfort and handling safety. The first sandwich floor was realized in the F 100. This feature subsequently made it to large-scale production in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In the event of a crash, the engine – guided by the sloped firewall – slides downwards underneath the passengers, so that they are protected.
With all its qualities, the Mercedes-Benz F 100 was not simply a test mule for the engineers – it represented a new type of automobile. It anticipated the future of mobility, which has partly become reality since the car made its debut in 1991. At the same time, it emphasized the fact that the customer is the focus of technical progress when a research vehicle is designed.
Powertrain
Four-stroke spark-ignition engine, six cylinders, 2.6 liters displacement, 143 kW (194 hp), front-wheel drive, three-speed automatic transmission
Technical Highlights
• Central driver’s seat
• High level of crash safety
• Steering wheel with fixed impact absorber
• Telephone operation by means of steering wheel buttons [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1998, W 220 series)]
• Novel door concept
• Sophisticated ergonomics
• Autonomous intelligent cruise control – [Production launch under the name DISTRONIC in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1998, W 220 series)]
• Radar system for monitoring following traffic – [Production launch under the name Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist in the Mercedes-Benz S- and CL-Class (2010, W 221 and C 216 series)]
• Solar cell roof – [Production launch with the panoramic roof of the Maybach 62 (2002)]
• Gas-discharge headlights – [Production launch under the name xenon headlights in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1995, W 210 series)]
• Prismatic rod-type taillights
• Linear windshield wipers
• Office equipment (voice-controlled telephone, fax, PC) – [Production launch of voice recognition for the car phone under the name LINGUATRONIC in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1996, W 140 series)]
• CTS tires (Continental Tire System) with flat-running properties
• Electronic tire pressure monitoring – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz CL (1999, C 215 series)]
• Electric parking brake – [Production launch under the name ADAPTIVE BRAKE in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2005, W 221 series)]
• Optical fibers for signal transmission
• Rain sensor – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1995, W 140 series)]
• Chip card instead of car keys – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1999, W 220 series)]
• Automatic adjustment of seat and steering wheel
• Sandwich floor – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1997, W 168 series)]
• Reversing camera
• Proximity warning radar – [Production launch under the name DISTRONIC PLUS/Brake Assist PLUS in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2005, W 221 series) and in the Mercedes-Benz CL- and E-Class (2006, C 216 and W 212 series)]
• Lane Keeping Assist – [Production launch in the Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class (2009, W 221 and W 212 series)]
By PaRaDoX • F Concepts 0 • Tags: 1991 Mercedes, f100, F100 1991, mercedes benz f100