2005 Mercedes-Benz F600 Hygenius Concept

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz F600 Hygenius concept debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show, marking a significant step forward in green automotive technology. Based on the compact European B-Class, the Hygenius was designed to demonstrate how fuel-cell technology could be packaged efficiently and made practical for everyday use. Mercedes highlighted the vehicle’s impressive fuel economy, equivalent to around 97 miles per gallon, thanks to a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that was about 40 percent smaller than the company’s previous generation. The car boasted a driving range of over 250 miles, underscoring its practicality.

The rear-wheel-drive F600 stood out as Mercedes’ first model specially designed around hydrogen fuel cells. It combined improved fuel-cell technology with a high-voltage battery to extend the driving range to approximately 400 kilometers (about 250 miles). The powertrain, producing up to 85 kW, enabled innovative features such as heating and cooling cup holders and the ability to connect household appliances to the car’s onboard electrical system. The F600 also introduced a unique control system that recognized human touch by using the skin’s electrical conductivity to operate the dual-zone climate controls.

Innovations extended to safety and driver assistance as well. The dashboard incorporated two displays whose images were reflected and raised to the driver’s eye level using a simple mirror system. Safety features included automatic “collars” integrated into the headrests to stabilize the head during collisions and door locks connected to video cameras, which would lock if pedestrians or cyclists were detected near the sides of the car. The F600 also featured an original luggage loading system and flexible seating, with backrests able to shift forward or backward to allow the seats to rotate on the spot.

Many of these features were expected to appear on production Mercedes-Benz models before the full introduction of hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains, which were anticipated to reach market maturity between 2012 and 2015. The F600 Hygenius embodied Mercedes-Benz’s vision for a more sustainable, practical, and technologically advanced future.