Mercedes
Vision G-Code Concept
For
the opening of the new Product Engineering Centre in Beijing, Mercedes-Benz put
the focus squarely on the G‑Code
vehicle study. The innovative and versatile Sports Utility Coupé (SUC) for town
and country shows how emotionally appealing a future compact SUC can be, and
what evolutionary possibilities the Mercedes‑Benz
design philosophy offers. The new Product Engineering Centre of the brand
bearing the three-pointed star also features a complete design studio. Under the
leadership of the main studio in Sindelfingen, the studio in Beijing creates
design models and mobility concepts that incorporate and focus on local
cultures and trends. Consequently, this new Advanced Design Studio within the
Daimler Product Engineering Centre in Beijing also pursues an already
established strategy of Daimler. Worldwide a total of five such centres serve
as "seismographs" for market-specific developments. The knowledge
gained there is then incorporated into the technical concept and design of
future models.
The
G-Code concept vehicle is a prime example of this strategy: it interprets the
current design idiom of sensual purity from the perspective of the
Mercedes-Benz advanced designers in Beijing and Sindelfingen. The combination
of emotion and intelligence conveys modern luxury in a compact form. As a
result, the G-Code is also a perfect fit for today's understanding of design in
China. "The G-Code is both beautiful and intelligent, and interprets our
typical Mercedes Coupé design idiom", says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design
of Daimler AG. A coupé-like side line, a dynamically flowing greenhouse and
extremely sporty proportions immediately catch the eye. Furthermore, compact
dimensions, extensive assistance and camera systems as well as the variable
plug-in hybrid drive system with long electric operating range make the SUC
ideal for traffic in Asia's mega-cities. At the same time, the electronic
all-wheel drive technology with "digital prop shaft" ensures a
particularly sporty and energy-efficient set-up both on and off the road.
The
designers of the G-Code drew their inspiration from the modern lifestyle and
digital affinity of the younger Asian society. In the future, this generation
will prefer above all cool and sporty crossovers, as prior studies conducted by
Daimler have shown. At the same time, the G-Code initiates an automotive trend
that focuses on new technologies, classic craftsmanship and design.
With
the G-Code the employees of the Advanced Design Centres in Beijing and Sindelfingen
not only implement technical innovations, but also provide a look ahead to the
evolutionary possibilities of the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of sensual
purity. The 2+2-seater SUC measures about 4.10 metres in length and has
counter-opening doors. It captivates with a coupé-like profile, muscular wheel
arches and a continuous greenhouse without visible A-pillars. This continuous
glass area - similar to the cockpit glazing of a powerboat - lends the G-Code,
which is about 1.90 metres wide and only about 1.50 metres tall, a coherent
horizontal arrangement and a resounding forward thrust even while at a
standstill. This solution seems to literally levitate the roof with its
retractable roof rails and tension-charged surfaces above the vehicle body, and
signals the lightness of automotive being.
Despite
its compact dimensions the G-Code is a 2+2-seater with great variability. The
interior visualises the designers' idea of combining the practical talents of
an SUV with the emotional appeal of a sports car. The interior specialists
deliberately let digital and analogue worlds collide. This combination of
classic elements and state-of-the-art high tech stimulates the senses and
provides the occupants of the G-Code with an even more authentic experience.
Of
course the G-Code is equipped with the most innovative driver assistance
systems with 360-degree monitoring of the surroundings via 3D cameras, radar,
infra-red scanner, GPS data and an exchange of large volumes of data with the
traffic infrastructure and other vehicles in the vicinity. Potentially critical
driving and traffic situations are already detected as they develop and defused
automatically.
The
power of two individually controlled drive cores acts in the G-Code. The engine
at the front is a compact, state-of-the-art turbocharged combustion engine that
runs on hydrogen and solely drives the front wheels. An electric motor drives
the rear axle and transmits its power selectively to the two wheels via a dual
multi-disc clutch.
Depending
on the selected mode, the G-Code can operate as a front-wheel drive vehicle
powered solely by the combustion engine, as an all-electric rear-wheel drive
vehicle or fully variable in all-wheel drive mode. A completely newly
configured system controls this innovative all-wheel drive system. It combines
the two power sources as demanded by the current driving situation. The
powertrain control acts as a "digital prop shaft" between front and
rear axle. Which drive mode is the most sensible in any given situation is not only
determined by aspects of economy. Driving dynamics parameters are also
incorporated to enhance active safety or boost longitudinal and lateral
dynamics in HYBRID sport mode, for example. At the same time, the control logic
always ensures steady and, for the driver, predictable handling characteristics
independent of the respective front-wheel, rear-wheel or all‑wheel drive mode.
