不久之前，奔驰推出1000马力的Project One，展现其拥有打造顶级超跑的能力，而在此次法兰克福车展上，该品牌又发布全新车型来展示其在新能源领域内的突破，其中之一便是GLC F-Cell预量产版车型，属于奔驰旗下首款将氢燃料以及锂离子电池相结合的插电式混合动力车型。这款独特的动力系统并不是平常意义上的油电混合，而是将氢燃料电池代替引擎，能为车辆输出最大功率147千瓦/197马力，峰值扭矩350牛米。在实车测试当中，新车续航里程约为437公里。在此动力系统当中，两个碳纤维储氢罐共能储存4.4千克氢燃料，其中一个位于传统车型的驱动轴位置，另外一个放置在后排座椅下方，这也导致了后备箱地台上的小处凸起。而相比于奔驰B级的燃料电池，GLCF-Cell上新技术的运用使其尺寸减小30%，足够放置在发动机舱的位置，并将驱动系统输出功率提升40%。此外，稀有金属铂的使用也减少90%，有效缩减新车成本。新车除了氢燃料储藏罐外，还配备一组容量为13.8千瓦时的锂离子电池组作为额外的能量源，支持插电充电，纯电驱动续航里程为49公里。此外，新车可通过系统设定控制，改变两种能源能相互作用的工作模式。混动属于默认模式，允许同时使用电池和燃料电池；燃料电池模式下优先使用氢燃料能源；电池模式优先选用锂离子电池组；充电模式下通过能量回收最大化实现电池充电。外观方面，除了部分蓝色细节装饰以及专属“F-Cell”标识，新车造型与普通版GLC基本一致。内饰上，新车首次配备多功能触摸面板，具备手写识别功能。奔驰如今正针对GLCF-Cell进行一系列的测试，将以何种形式推出市场仍在规划当中，包括考虑是采用售卖或是租借的方式提供给客户，新车有望在2019年年底正式近入美国市场。
Mercedes GLC F-Cell: Hydrogen Fuel Meets Plug-In Power
While the 1,000-horsepower Project One demonstrates Mercedes' ability to build a world-beating hypercar, the German brand shows a dedication to being green in Frankfurt with the reveal of models like the EQ A Concept, Vision EQ Fortwo, and this pre-production GLC F-Cell. The latter of the group is the automaker’s functioning idea for a fuel-cell-powered luxury crossover that an owner can also plug in to charge the drive batteries.
The unique powertrain makes the special GLC a plug-in hybrid but with a fuel cell stack, instead of a combustion engine. The layout offers a total output of 197 horsepower (147 kilowatts) and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-meters) of torque. The setup gives an estimated range of 272 miles (437 kilometers) in the New European Driving Cycle test.
The fuel cell portion of the powertrain includes a total of 9.7 pounds (4.4 kilograms) of hydrogen in two carbon-fiber tanks. One fits in the spot that’s usually for the driveshaft, and the other is under the rear seats. The only slight downside is a small raised area in the luggage compartment, like the GLC Plug-in Hybrid. Compared to the fuel cell in the B-Class, the new technology in the GLC is 30 percent smaller, which lets it fit in the engine bay’s now mounting points, and makes 40 percent more output. The production also uses 90 percent less platinum, which reduces costs.
The electric drivetrain includes a 13.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that allows for 30 miles (49 kilometers) on a charge. Drivers can select how these two systems operate together by selecting from several settings. Hybrid is a normal mode that selects which powertrain to use. F-Cell prioritizes the hydrogen system. Battery puts the emphasis on the electric side of things, and Charge maximizes the powertrain charging the batteries.
Other than some F-Cell badges and blue accents, this GLC looks like the rest of the lineup. Inside, the model features a multifunction touchpad with handwriting recognition, which debuts on this model in Frankfurt.
Mercedes currently has a test fleet of GLC F-Cells. The company is still deciding how to bring them to market, including considering whether to sell or rent the models to customers. The company expects to have it in the United States by the end of 2019.