Mercedes-Benz B-Class fuel-cell all hydrogen-powered vehicle test drive, impressions

By on Oct 11, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Featured October 11, 2010

Mercedes-Benz is on an environmentally conscious tear as of late, launching two hybrid vehicles last year, and now an entirely zero emission fuel cell car this December. We were given an opportunity to test drive the new F-Cell vehicle in Manhattan and learn more about the car. For starters, when thinking about what Mercedes has done with this specific vehicle, it’s mind blowing in itself. A non-combustion engine car that is powered off of hydrogen with zero emissions. Did you ever think you’d see the day? As a car lover, just hopping into the driver’s seat of the F-Cell was an experience. Zipping around downtown New York City in the car was… just like driving a gas-powered vehicle, except, there was no noise. I’ve driven dual-mode hybrid cars before, and I have gotten used to not hearing an engine at some times, but no engine sound at all? Borderline ghostly. While the B-Class-based F-Cell has an all electric motor rated at 136 horsepower and 214 pounds of torque, it definitely didn’t feel underpowered. Plus, once we got over the sound of no sound from the engine, there wasn’t much to complain about. It’s the first fuel-cell car from Mercedes, and while it’s not exactly the most luxurious or stylish model in their lineup, neither is a Prius. Being powered 100% by hydrogen lends itself to one main issue: finding a hydrogen refueling station. Now, there are a couple around the NYC area (White Plains, NY, Wallingford, CT, Bronx, NY), but when the F-Cell touches down in December for consumer leasing, it’s going to be heading to the state of California — mostly Los Angeles and San Francisco where there are plenty of hydrogen stations. You might notice how we said leasing and not purchasing, and that’s because the car will only be offered by way of a lease, and while Mercedes wouldn’t confirm pricing information to us, we’ve heard it will run around $550-$750/month. Definitely on the higher end of the spectrum, but for a car that literally emits water instead of toxic sludge — representing the future of the automotive industry — all we can say is, sign us up.

Click on over to our Mercedes-Benz F-Cell vehicle gallery!

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41 Comments

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  • Steve

    $550-$750 isn’t bad at all, depending on how much the fuel is going to cost and the availability.

  • Norm

    If it has DROID OS 3.1 in it I will sign up too.

    • bonesb

      MBZ is offering iPads at their dealerships. So, fuck off and go play with your DROID-powered vibrator.

  • BrianW

    Thanks but no thanks, I’ll stick with my 1980 Cobra 351W with my T5 and 9″ rearend. Sure, it may not emit water, but it’ll still make you piss your pants in th passenger seat. Oh, and my F250 V10 Pick up. If and yet, between the two I don’t even pay HALF of what Mercedes is asking. I guess it’s for the latte’ drinking, non shit stinking, high nosers.

    I have nothing against hybrid vehicles. I understand the environment issues, and our “plans” to create a safer future. But really? Take a small 4cyl DGI with a Turbo, fully capable of 40mph (easily with conservative tune) and even use it as a dual-mode hybrid to make the hippies happy.

    If you’re going to do it, make it affordable for all. Pricks.

    • BrianW

      40mpg** And that can be easily achieved with a 4cyl pushing close to 300hp

      • u

        my audi is rocking a full t40 kit over 300hp

    • DigDug

      Brian, I think I saw your Cobra in my rearview mirror =)

  • George

    Filed under: Cars, Energy, Featured, New York, Mercedes Ad

  • http://www.daverea.com medicdave

    “A non-combustion engine car that is powered off of hydrogen with zero emissions. Did you ever think you’d see the day?”

    Of course. When I drove a GM Fuel Cell Equinox in 2005.

    • docsnyder

      Mercedes NECAR 1 1994
      Mercedes NECAR 5 2000

      Based on the Mercedes A Class, the NECAR 5 drove from Eastcoast to Westcoast. No Problems. 100mph Top Speed.

  • superchunk

    This is stupid. All combustion based engines should be thrown out.

    Pure electronic are by far better in every way.

    1. You can fix electric power plants to be near zero emissions producing systems AND focusing on these will result in a faster emergence of better power production which helps all humanity.

    2. Combustion based vehicles have a 100s more parts and maintenanced required components resulting if far higher costs to the owner. This is also the reason auto companies keep pushing this inferior type of engine.

    3. Electronic engines are simply better products. More powerful, longer use, overall cleaner, less noise, etc.

    I wish I was in control of creating auto legislation as I would force them all to focus on pure electric solutions. I would also push for better battery technologies, especially the MIT developed instant recharge Lithium Ion battery they developed a year ago. That needs to be out so we can “fill up” quickly and make the electric car perfect.

    • superchunk

      ok read article, fully, which is different that other hydrogen cars… its electric with energy produced by hydrogen. Has most of my likes, but I’d still prefer focus on energy plants and this not having any type of fuel beyond plugging in.

      /facepalm

    • TimMD

      Control???
      You would like to “control” all of us wouldn’t you? I have absolutely no doubt that you are a liberal! Rest easy, because even though “you” aren’t in control…..there are plenty of your brethren who are!
      Why don’t you get a life and quit worrying about what others do? If you want to drive these vehicles that have already been essentially mandated based on the false science of global warming……..then STFU and go ahead!!!

  • So Official

    An official REAL man would never drive this.

    • sodidi

      Just those metro-sexual types, like superchunk.

  • serpentor

    BG, did you even go to the WP7 launch?

    • sodidi

      He couldn’t get all the hands-on engadget did, sooo.. Here is a car!

  • bearleton

    I’m sure you missed the rumble of the engine. Being totally silent must eventually mean creaks in the body being more evident. Oh yeah, crank the stereo!

    • Steve

      It just means your driving it wrong……

  • Meanie

    …and this is relevant how?

  • Ryan

    BG, are you an idiot?

    Mercedes-Benz is perhaps the WORST offender of any manufacturer in regards to emissions and environmentally unfriendly vehicles.

    Don’t get me wrong, I drive a Hummer and I dont give a flying **** about my emissions, but let’s not forget that Mercedes is the parent of the infamous Mercedes G55 SUV (that beautiful, boxxy SUV) that gets 7…. YES, SEVEN, MPG. SEVEN MILES PER GALLON. The 2011 model gets 8. Yay!

    It was voted 2010′s most socially irresponsible vehicle.

    This is NOT an enviornment-conscious company. Look to BMW for that. Idiot.

    • Peter Martin

      The G550 gets 11/15 MPG.

      • Ryan

        That’s IIHS rated… in reality it gets 7. I’ve had one.

      • George

        A hummer and a G550? We need to start throwing people like you into outer space.

    • izzy

      yeah… BMW… dont they make a twin turbo V12 for the new 760 and rolls… just like MB with the S65 and Audi makes the very efficient quad turbo V16 for their Buggatti…

    • docsnyder

      High power Cars will always pollute and use more gas than small models.
      Mercedes has done more for making cars ‘greener’ than any US manufacturer.
      Of course, here in the US we only get the big engine versions. No A-Class, no B-Class, etc. No highly efficient Diesels or Gasoline engines with a low carbon footprint.

      Get your facts straight.

    • docsnyder

      Oh, and one more thing. Mercedes came up with electric car, hydrogen car and other alternative concept cars long before most of the other manufacturers even thought about it. They do a lot of research in the background. You would be surprised, how many technologies used in todays cars were developed / first used by Mercedes.

  • http://minie250.blogspot.com/ Tom M

    Fuel Cell vehicles are decades from ever becoming a reality. Sure they can be made, but there is simply no way to build out the refueling infrastructure without it costing hundreds of billions of dollars.
    Hydrogen is a carrier of energy, not a producer and it’s a poor carrier at that. Plus, there is no usable hydrogen on the planet, we have to make it. Then, it takes so much of it to power a car that it has to be compressed to 10,000psi so you can store enough of it on a car to move the car a good distance.
    There is a reason why hydrogen has been “15 years away” for the past 30 years and continues to be.
    I’d like to continue research in F-cell cars, but for now, battery electric vehicles are our only way off oil.
    Read this: http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-hydrogen-hoax

    • superchunk

      This is why it needs to focus on plug-in full electric and a continued focus on improving our current grid/electricity creation capabilities.

      For one, a big push for solar would be nice.

      • bonesb

        Another pablum-sucking Prius owner-type. Check the VOC and carbon load of mining the minerals in Canada, shipping them to China for processing, Japan for installation – THEN figure out how to dispose of all of that battery waste. Not the “clean power” bunk you signed up for, eh? Yeah, didn’t think of it that way, did ‘ya?

      • http://minie250.blogspot.com/ Tom M

        Actually I don’t really like the prius at all. Yes, actually I do think of it that way and I know more about the cradle to grave environmental effects of mining minerals, and drilling for oil than you ever dreamed of learning.
        Everything we do has environmental impacts, battery electric vehicles happen to have much less of a negative impact than that of internal combustion engine vehicles and it’s not even close.
        Do a little research an get back to us on that, eh?
        Oh, and next time pick a fight with someone that doesn’t know 100 times more than you do on the issue, bonesb or should we all call you bonehead from now on?

      • Mec J

        Actually you’re wrong and by you’re I mean both of you, currently the most viable option to decrease a persons carbon foot print is a hybrid electric car.
        Fuel cell technology is a dead end and a waste of time unless a proper catalyst can be found to replace of platinum.
        Oh and by the way we are close to the Carnot cycle for a steam driven turbine engine, and we’re reaching the point of diminishing returns so there goes your “increasing electrical generation” theory.
        Unless you meant alt forms of energy, like wind (useless), Nuclear (You’re are a idiot if you think this is a good idea), Solar (Very viable from a engineering stand point, even with horrible efficiency however economically not, we know what this country runs on), Fusion (First reactors in France still run in the red).
        As for your grid idea its easier said than done still have to abide by the laws of physics and imaginary power is a bitch to overcome for long range power transfer, however I somewhat agree with this although my expertise is not in power transfer at all.
        Oh and by the way you’re ICE engine is also quite efficient, and less polluting to the environment than those batteries.

  • http://new-energy-portal.blogspot.com/ fuel cell

    Fuel cells for cars is a convenient FICTION used to postpone plug-in cars. The technical barriers to using Hydrogen and oxygen from the air as a fuel are based on scientific laws, not wishful thinking.

  • http://ipedalads.com bob the boss

    Whats the cost to re fuel with Hydorgen ?? Hdro per mile
    anyone….

  • just my two cents

    H2O is a greenhouse gas when its water vapor.

  • just my two cents

    H2O is a greenhouse gas when its water vapor….

  • b6542

    MB Green ? How did the corn starch wiring harnesses in the mid ’90s work out? Should have been a recall but NO they stuck the owners with thousands in repair bills.

    I’ll keep my Lexus….

  • Bob Dole

    Hydrogen is hardly the future of Auto. Electric is.

  • http://www.blogomonster.com/centralcontracts www.centralcontracts.com

    Great post thank you for sharing.

  • Peter Martin

    Yes. It is. They leased it to me. I do a lot of behind the scenes work, but trust me I’m still here.

  • Peter Martin

    No, I drive my flintstones car.

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