Mercedes on track to launch a fuel cell powered SUV in 2018

Mercedes-Benz GLC 250d 4MATIC, CITRINBRAUN MAGNO, Offroad Line Exterieur Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d 4MATIC, CITRINE BROWN MAGNO, Offroad Line, exterior
According to Autocar, Mercedes is targeting a fuel cell vehicle.

Thomas Weber, Mercedes’ head of research and development, told the british website that the company had finalised the engineering parameters for the new model. “We are targeting a combined range for the fuel cell and battery of up to 600km, along with a refuelling time for the hydrogen tanks of three minutes,” Weber said.

This vehicle is rumoured to be based around the recently introduced GLC, and not the B-Class. Why a SUV ? According to Thomas Weber, the continued high cost of the fuel stack makes a hydrogen fuel cell model commercially viable only in higher classes.

This next model, that should be called GLC-F Cell, is scheduled to be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in 2017 and reach showrooms the following year. It’s expected to be offered to customers in selected markets on either a monthly lease or outright purchase programme.

The price is expected to be around €70,000.

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About the author

Laurent Meillaud

Laurent Meillaud

Freelance automotive journalist and consultant, author as well, focused on technologies and new trends for more than 30 years, convinced that hydrogen is one of the energies for the future.

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