Mercedes revealed the new GLC F-Cell, the first car
destined for series production that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with a
plug-in battery pack. The new GLC F-Cell debuted as a preproduction model, with
the car currently offering a combined driving range of up to 437 km and an electric range of up to 49 km.
The innovative powertrain offered a combined output
of 197 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Mercedes claims that
the fuel cell system in the GLC is around 30 percent more compact than the one
in the B-Class F-Cell, allowing it for the first time to be housed entirely in
the engine bay, like a conventional engine.
Mercedes was also able to reduce the use of platinum
in the fuel cell by 90 percent, thus conserving resources and lowering the cost
of the system. The lithium-ion battery pack in the preproduction model has a
capacity of 13.8kWh and is housed together with the electric motor on the rear
of the car. The company says it needs 1.5 hours to be fully charged, when the
full charging capacity is enabled.
There are two carbon-fiber tanks encased on the
floor of the car for the hydrogen with a total capacity of 4.4 kg. A full refuel
takes just three minutes.There are three operating modes: Hybrid, where the car
draws power from both sources, Battery, enabling electric-only operation and
Charge, where charging the battery pack is a priority.
Mercedes says that the series production models will
come with coil springs up front and a rear air suspension. The company hasn’t
still announced the details of the GLC F-Cell’s market launch but expect to
hear more in the coming months.
