The car that doubles up as a SOLAR PANEL: Mercedes-Benz unveils concept vehicle that harnesses energy using its paintwork

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 Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what it claims to be the ultimate in ‘green driving’- a concept car that doubles up as a huge solar panel to generate energy

Vision G-code uses something known as ‘multi-voltaic’ silver paint
This captures energy from solar rays to power a unique hybrid engine
Car can also generate power using electrostatic charge from the wind
Glass panel stretches from driver's side window to the passenger side
It was unveiled this week at the company’s research base in Beijing
From water-fuelled cars to shape-shifting tricycles, finding ways to cut emissions has led to some bizarre vehicle designs over the years.
Now Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what it claims to be the ultimate in ‘green driving’- a concept car that doubles up as a huge solar panel to generate energy.
Using something known as ‘multi-voltaic’ silver paint, the German manufacturer’s Vision G-Code is designed to capture energy from solar rays to power a hybrid engine.

  Using something known as ‘multi-voltaic’ silver paint, the German manufacturer’s Vision G-Code is designed to capture energy from solar rays to power a hybrid engine

 It can even generate power using electrostatic charge from the bodywork slicing through wind, as well as kinetic energy from the suspension.
The SUV concept car - or SUC (Sports Utility Coupé) as Mercedes-Benz calls it - was unveiled this week at the company’s new research base in Beijing.

 The car (interior pictured) can generate power using electrostatic charge from the bodywork slicing through wind, as well as kinetic energy from the suspension

As part of its set up, the back wheels are powered by an electric motor while the front wheels are driven by a hydrogen combustion engine.
Mercedes-Benz envisages operating the motor and engine either individually or together, depending on road conditions.

 Instead of B-pillars, the vehicle’s doors are hinged front and back allowing easier access to the rear-seat

The four-door vehicle is roughly the same size as a Nissan Juke, at 13.5ft (4.1 metres) long. Mercedes has yet to offer other specifics on speed and power.
Instead of B-pillars, the vehicle’s doors are hinged front and back allowing easier access to the rear-seat.
The car also features a light display at the front of the car - a reference to Starship Enterprise’s glowing warp drive.
The light glows blue when the car is parked, purple during normal hybrid driving and red in sport mode.

 The interior has anti-dirt fabrics and 3D body scanners that keep an eye on biometrics of each passenger, automatically switching on the massage-mode if the car decides passengers are getting tired

DAIMLER OPENS BEIJING R&D CENTRE TO TUNE INTO CHINESE TASTES 

Daimler has opened a research and development (R&D) centre in Beijing tasked with further tuning its Mercedes-Benz brand to wealthy Chinese tastes.

The German car maker is expanding its Mercedes-Benz brand in China at a time when an investigation into anti-competitive practices in the auto industry is prompting car makers to lower prices. 

The company said it plans to raise the number of Mercedes-Benz engineers and other specialists in Beijing to 500 by the end of next year from 350.

Its focus on Chinese tastes should help Mercedes-Benz catch up in the local luxury car segment with Volkswagen AG's Audi and BMW, he said.

Researcher LMC Automotive projects Mercedes-Benz to sell 291,000 vehicles in China this year, compared with 581,000 for luxury market-leader Audi and 448,000 for second-placed BMW. 

 

Just as striking is the continuous glass panel which stretches from the driver's side window around the windshield to the passenger side.
The interior also features anti-dirt fabrics and 3D body scanners that keep an eye on biometrics of each passenger, automatically switching on the massage-mode if the car decides passengers are getting tired.

 While this is a concept car, the hope is that a number of the ideas featured in the design could someday make their way onto Mercedes-Benz’ models in the future

Meanwhile, oxygen produced by the hydrogen drivetrain is pumped into the cabin to improve air quality.
It even features electric scooters hidden under the trunk floor to complete journeys without having to go on foot.
While this is a concept car, the hope is that a number of the ideas featured in the design could someday make their way onto Mercedes-Benz’ models in the future.

 The car also features a light display at the front of the car - a reference to Starship Enterprise’s glowing warp drive (pictured) in Star Trek

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