BETTER PARTSForgotten Studies: Mercedes F300
Munich, 3. May 2018
With the F300 Life Jet Concept, Mercedes wanted to combine the best of two worlds: The comfort of a car and the agility of a motorcycle. According to the high-tech overloaded studies F100 from 1991 and F200 from 1996, the Life Jet was the third research vehicle, the F-series. However, he differed markedly from his more luxurious studies-brothers.
Engine from the A-class
It was powered by the Mercedes F300 from the 1.6-litre vacuum cleaner of the first A-class. The 102 HP, in that case, but to the rear wheels, uh, to the rear wheel, to be exact. Yes, that's right: The F300 solo was back on the road. The power was transmitted via a belt, and an electro-hydraulically controlled, sequential five-speed gearbox. From 0-100 km/h it went according to the manufacturer, in 7.7 seconds, top speed was 211 km/h.
Slightly absurd Design
Without the star on the "hood" and "trunk", it would have been almost impossible to identify the F300 Life Jet Mercedes. Well, the instruments in the Jetfighter-inspired Cockpit, spoke a clear language, but the was it then also already with a family membership. Otherwise, the interior presented itself with its two Seats behind one another in the frighteningly garish motley of the 90s. Well, and from the outside ... was kind of eh it will be to late. A kind of space capsule (or a silver cigar with wings), including a concern smaller and thinner wheels and a removable roof.
Weird and wonderful
The party trick of the Mercedes F300, however, was definitely its Active Tilt Control (ATC). Say: to say to The Mercedes type, the thing tends to fit neatly in the curve. The active Wanksteuerung controlled the angle of the front wheels and the cabin with the rear-wheel drive, up to a maximum angle of inclination of 30 degrees. The electronic System from the evaluated vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and steering angle, the data sent to the front axle, where a hydraulic pump, a tilt master cylinder and two lever shafts moved the upper pivot points of the obliquely built-in spring-damper units. You should occur the concept with the prone body, then maybe Nissan. The Japanese had, in 2009, with its Land Glider Concept is the same idea.
Everything is easy
For the F300 Mercedes had to develop special tyres, the extreme camber values allowed. There was also Magnesium wheels, the rims 25 percent less weight than a conventional motorcycle. Generally speaking, the Life Jet is likely to have been a fairly easy matter. Its aluminum body weighed just 89 pounds.
Smart Light
The F300 will go down in history as the first Mercedes-the development of the vehicle, which was developed entirely on the Computer. In addition, the tottering three-Wheeler had an adaptive headlight. Thanks to a little electronic wizardry (hey, the Whole 21 years ago after all) made the front light, even in case of strong curve's slope for the best possible illumination, because it was linked to the ATC System. A light sensor that adjusted the headlamps automatically when fog occurred, or it went through a Tunnel. This function was transferred a year later, in the S-class (W220).(sw)