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The F-CELL Roadster built by
apprentices at Mercedes-Benz
covered a section of the
historic route taken by Bertha
Benz on the weekend. Starting in
Mannheim, the fuel cell powered
car was driven via Ladenburg and
Heidelberg. The symbolic passing
of the finish line was at the
chemist's shop in Wiesloch,
where Bertha Benz stopped to
refuel during the first
long-distance journey in
automobile history in 1888.
"This trip by the F-CELL
Roadster is symbolic of the
current change taking place in
automobile engineering", says
Dr. Thomas Weber. "At that time
Bertha Benz was not yet able to
purchase the petrol she needed
at a filling station, and for
emission-free mobility we are
also dependent on the widespread
distribution of fuels for the
future - electric power and
hydrogen. But just as Bertha
Benz refused to be discouraged
by inconveniences in her day, we
are just as determined to help
ensure that these technologies
achieve their breakthrough."
Before the end of this year, the
company will commence
small-series production of the
B-Class with a fuel cell drive
system.
The F-CELL Roadster
In
a unique way, the vehicle links
the very latest technologies
with the history of automobile
engineering. As a feature
reminiscent of the Benz Patent
Motor Wagon of 1886, the car is
equipped with large, spoked
wheels. The F-CELL Roadster also
has styling features from a wide
range of automotive eras. These
include carbon-fibre seat bases
with hand-stitched leather
upholstery and a striking
glass-fibre front end that takes
its lead from Formula 1 racing
cars.
The car is steered using
drive-by-wire technology, a
conventional steering wheel
giving way to a joystick. It is
powered by an emission-free fuel
cell system installed in the
rear. With an output of 1.2 kW,
the F-CELL Roadster is capable
of a top speed of 25 km/h with
an operating range of up to 350
km.
First long-distance
journey in automobile history
In
August 1888, Bertha Benz and her
two sons made a journey from
Mannheim to Pforzheim in the
Patent Motor Wagon designed by
her husband Carl Benz, returning
to Mannheim a few days later.
This first long-distance journey
in the history of the automobile
is acknowledged as a pioneering
event. The journey was
practically problem-free, with
just a few small technical
hitches that could all be
remedied. The supply of
"Ligroin", as petrol was called
at the time, gave cause for
concern, however, as the
4.5-litre supply in the
carburettor - there was no
petrol tank as yet - was rapidly
dwindling. Ligroin could be
purchased from pharmacies in
those days, and the town
pharmacy in Wiesloch was able to
help out. The shop still exists
today, and is proud to inform
visitors that it was the world's
first filling station. |
