The F-Cell Roadster: Mercedes-Benz With Hybrid Drive has the wheels and general aura of the original Benz patent motor car, mixed with a sleek and streamlined fiberglass race-car body and seating. The F-Cell Roadster provocatively merges design elements from the most futuristic Formula One racing cars with the most old-school, turn-of-the-century, original Benz automotive motor car. In what is clearly an attention-grabbing move, Daimler today has just unveiled the F-CELL Roadster, a wacky-looking vehicle that is a ‘hybrid’ in more ways than one. The F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction.

F-Cell Roadster: Mercedes-Benz With Hybrid Drive

Literally the roadster is fitted with a 1.2 kW hybrid drive – one that allows the F-Cell Roadster: Mercedes-Benz With Hybrid Drive to reach a top speed of 15 mph and achieve an operating range of 217 miles. But the roadster is a ‘hybrid’ in a more metaphorical sense as well: drawing design inspiration from a diverse swath of automotive eras.

Based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The F-CELL Roadster moreover, incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section.

Chalk it up to the Daimler AG trainees at the Sindelfingen plant.

Want to know who to blame for this ungodly franken-Benz? with more than 150 trainees and dual education system students working for about a year on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the hybrid model.

F-Cell Roadster automotive mechatronics

The project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments.

F-Cell Roadster sustainable mobility integral part

“This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession.

The trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster.

All of which makes for a bizarre-looking but strangely poetic vehicle.

The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience. Delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.

The F-Cell Roadster joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel.

The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

Draws its inspiration from a diverse variety of automotive eras.

Daimler today has unveiled the F-CELL Roadster, the latest in their line of “F-Series” concept vehicles (past Mercedes research models can be seen here), and as you’ll see.