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2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell FCV Test Drive

Is the A-Class F-Cell a Harbinger of Things to Come?

Will the hydrogen fuel cell ever become a reality for everyday drivers? Thats a question many concerned about the quality of our environment have asked, hoping that a technology that emits only water vapor can some day populate the highways and byways of the world.

Mercedes-Benz may be that much closer to this goal, however, having reported that its fleet of six long-wheelbase A-Class cars running "F-Cell" hydrogen fuel cells have now been on Singapores roads for an entire year, only part of a fleet of 60 vehicles that have been deployed in international cooperative ventures throughout Europe, the U.S. and Japan, and in so doing have held up well during daily use in extreme heat and humidity.

This comes as good news

I had the opportunity to test a F-Cell as part of DaimlerChryslers "Impact on America" symposium in Washington, DC last May. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

to me, as I had the opportunity to test one such fuel cell vehicle as part of DaimlerChryslers "Impact on America" symposium in Washington, DC last May, on a makeshift road course set up in the parking lot of the citys FedEx Field, and in so doing grew to like what I found. While I didnt have the opportunity to fully stretch its legs, the A-Class FCV at my disposal was an endearing little subcompact, with a comfortable ride, spacious interior

Acceleration is adequate to ramp it up to highway speeds and slightly beyond, but not gut-wrenching. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

layout and ample oomph off the line.

But when I say ample oomph, I dont mean plenty, as in my cup runneth over with testosterone infused turbodiesel or high-test gasoline V8 power. Rather, it reminded me of other alternative fuel models tested in recent years, from the Ford Focus fuel cell vehicle to low-power hybrids such as Hondas alternative Civic, or smarts 800 cc turbodiesel-powered fortwo city car, being that acceleration is adequate to ramp it up to highway speeds and slightly beyond, but not gut-wrenching by any sense of the imagination. You

The F-Cells performance makes it quite suitable for everyday use, and like a gasoline-electric hybrid doesnt need to be plugged in. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

want to know the exact acceleration numbers? OK. The cars electric motor has an output of 65 kW, propelling the A-Class F-Cell from 0 to 60 mph in about 16 seconds, 3 to 4 seconds quicker than the diesel-powered smart fortwo now available through Californias ZAP, and goes on to achieve a top speed just shy of 90 mph. As can be seen, such performance makes the F-Cell quite suitable for everyday use, and like a gasoline-electric hybrid doesnt need to be plugged in to recharge its batteries - that task taken care of by the hydrogen fuel cell system.

The A-Class is eerily quiet and FCVs power delivery

The user-friendliness is mostly due to a fairly conventional cockpit, at least conventional as far as A-Class models go. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

quite smooth, however, and while motivated by an altogether foreign mechanical device is about as user friendly as I could have hoped for. This is mostly due to a fairly conventional cockpit, at least conventional as far as A-Class models go. The car is not imported by Mercedes-Benz U.S.A., at least not yet, which is a shame as I think it would probably do very well in some states, such as California. It just might be one of the most effective uses of space in the automotive industry, featuring more front and rear legroom than many cars twice its size, plus a very roomy cargo area accessible via a large hatch opening.

The weather during testing was blisteringly hot and to make matters less bearable, stiflingly humid, which is

The FCV features more front and rear legroom than many cars twice its size, plus a very roomy cargo area. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

hardly unusual in and around DC this time of year. But such temperatures and air density is no problem for the F-Cell. These extreme weather conditions are the same reasoning behind Mercedes-Benz choosing to test its long-term FCVs in Singapore, important to find out how the cars systems hold up over the long haul. Tropical temperatures, which is the case for Singapore at least, with high humidity levels place greater demand on a fuel cells production of steam emissions, as well as on its cooling systems.

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