| Make
|
Mercedes-Benz
|
| Model |
BlitzenBenz |
| Concept
year |
2008 |
| Production
year |
theoretical
2025 |
| Engine |
Hybrid
hydrogen engine |
The Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept was created by George
Yoo, a designer at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development
in Carlsbad, California. The BlitzenBenz was developed
during his final year at the Art Center College of Design
in Pasadena.
The BlitzenBenz is an innovative and thought provoking
concept which was designed as a futuristic racing vehicle
to be used for testing and evaluating cutting edge technology.
According to Yoo - "The BlitzenBenz is a statement
of history coming back to influence the future. With Mercedes'
long lived racing heritage."
The design of the BlitzenBenz concept was inspired by
two very different sources. The original Blitzen-Benz
from 1909 provided the overall idea for the vehicle, with
it's elongated tubular shape and rearward cab positioning.
However it was the influence of Alex Erlandson and his
work of creating "sculptures" from trees which
were grown into certain shapes or patterns which gave
Yoo the idea of, "what if automotive parts were
to be grown and tamed to hold certain shapes".
Obviously the technology is not quite there yet to create
such a vehicle, but the current research into nanotechnology
is paving the way for intelligent and adaptable components
which can be grown instead of manufactured. It's an incredibly
interesting prospect which would completely alter the
way cars are built, maintained, upgraded and recycled.
The exterior structure of the BlitzenBenz is designed
to act as a base for the organic structure to sprout out
from and form itself around. The individual wheel pods
are held in place by this organic component. These can
can sense whenever the electric motors inside need to
be cooled, the structure would then open up - similar
to how a plant opens up to receive sunlight or water.
The cool-blue lighting system of the vehicle was inspired
by the bioluminescent capabilities of deep sea creatures.
Powering the Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz is an advanced
next-generation Hygenius hybrid hydrogen engine and four
in-wheel electric motors. In the side pocket of the car,
just below the cockpit, is a hydrogen storage tank that
shows the fuel level in a small window to provide a visual
sense of water being recycled throughout the vehicle -
as if it maintains itself. |
|
