Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept Takes Part in Los Angeles Design Challenge

Imagine how a Mercedes-Benz G-Class will look like in the year 2025! I am sure that you have figured out something extraordinary, but I am also convinced that it is nothing like the new Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept.

The vehicle is based on the concept of a future police car and was developed for the Los Angeles Design Challenge, which this year had the quest for the "Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025". The Ener-G-Force was designed with the prerequisite to reach any place conceivable quickly and reliably, to be exceptionally environmentally friendly and to utilize alternative energy sources.

The concept invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road G model, however – it has modern looks. Exterior-wise, the small glass areas make the police vehicle a safe cocoon for law enforcement officers. The emergency lights are positioned into the roof. Additionally, they bring about more attention.

Next, the front fascia leaves the viewer wordless and it definitely serves its purpose to convey the commanding presence of the police. Adding to it are the huge wheels, which ensure that everything is reachable everywhere in an instant.

Moreover, the Ener-G-Force has a similar profile with its predecessor. Nevertheless, it shows high shoulder line and scaled-down glass areas. In addition, all surfaces express intensity and tension. Similarly to the iconic G-Class, the Ener-G-Force sports a front with an expressive radiator grille which includes headlamps.

Here LEDs in the headlamps form lamp units in the shape of a G. Next, the front indicators and position lights are positioned on top of the wings as a significant G-Class element.

What is more important here however, is the energy focus of the concept. The engineers have made it with water tanks on the roof, where the substance is stored and it is later transferred into the "hydro-tech converter". There the natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells.

The storage units for the electricity generated in this process are housed in the side skirts of the vehicle. It is important to highlight that the Ener-G-Force emits nothing but water and has an operating range of about 800 kilometres. In addition, there are four wheel-hub motors provide the pulling power. Their output for each individual wheel is adapted precisely to the respective terrain by high-performance electronics.

Even more, a "Terra-Scan" 360-degree topography scanner mounted on the roof constantly makes scans of the surroundings and utilizes the results to adjust the spring and damping rates as well as other suspension parameters for maximum traction on the respective surface. The strikingly styled side skirts house either the energy storage units or hot-swappable battery packs.

At last, changes in the colour of the illumination of the side skirts catch the attention and they also indicate what is the operating and charge status of the energy packs. A roof carrier and additional lamps are integrated into the roof. What I like the most about this concept, is that the whole vehicle looks like it has been carved from a single piece.

Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept (2012)

Source: Mercedes-Benz