Daimler Annual Report 2011 - Alle jaarverslagen

The Avant-garde of Future Mobility
The vision of tomorrow’s mobility takes shape
in the Mercedes-Benz F125! research vehicle
Road users are no longer isolated from one another. Vehicles
move safely within the traffic flow like swarms of fish or
flocks of birds. By sharing information they stay in touch with
one another and avoid collisions. Mobility is more relaxed,
and traffic signs are almost unnecessary. Emission-free
automobiles drive along city boulevards from which noise
and exhaust fumes have disappeared.
The F125! shows that large, comfortable and safe sedans
have a bright future. One reason for that is their ability to
drive without generating emissions.
The highlight of Daimler’s celebration of the 125th anniversary
of the automobile is Mercedes-Benz’s presentation
of its F125! research vehicle. It’s a visionary glimpse of the
technologies of upcoming car generations, and Daimler is
the pioneering company that will play a major role in shaping
them. The F125! embodies the latest trends and prepares
the way for the future with an innovative premium concept
for large and luxurious automobiles.
In the process, the research vehicle is systematically making
the vision of emission-free individual mobility a reality that
can already be experienced today. The research and developer
engineers are basing the F125! on the enhancement of the fuelcell
technology that Mercedes-Benz has already brought to the
series-production level. They are also applying future-oriented
energy storage technologies, unique 3-D displays, and control
concepts that rely on touch, voice and gesture recognition.
Lightweight construction with an intelligent material mix
The F125! technology platform embodies innovation through its
expressive design and the targeted use of lightweight construction,
which makes the vehicle even more economical and efficient.
In order to reduce weight but not safety, Mercedes-Benz
does not rely on a single material but on flexible and needsbased
combinations of materials. For example, the F125! uses
not only fiber-reinforced plastics containing a high share of
carbon fibers but also light alloys, high-strength steels and
hybrid materials (see page 151).
Forward-looking
The F125! leads the legend of the S-Class into the future — also with the
innovative @yourCOMAND infotainment system. All of the multimedia
systems are seamlessly networked and socially interactive without
causing any distractions - so a digital lifestyle can be continued in the
car in maximum comfort and safety.
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