Mercedes has confirmed the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered GLC SUV to our sister magazine, Autocar UK. The production version of this SUV will be unveiled next year.
The GLC F-Cell will also have a rechargeable battery pack, making it the world’s first plug-in fuel-cell hybrid. The compact cell stack that was co-developed with Ford fits in the space that would normally be the engine compartment. Electrical power is sent to a motor that drives the rear wheels. There won’t be a four-wheel- drive version.
The need to achieve Mercedes’ target of a 500km (310-mile) range means the F-Cell has two hydrogen tanks, both made from ultra-strong carbon-fibre weave. One is mounted longitudinally under the centre of the car and the other transversely at the back. Total hydrogen capacity is 4.3kg, stored at 700bar and good for a claimed 450km (280-mile) range. The extra 30 miles comes from the 8kWh battery pack sited above the rear tank.
Initially, Mercedes will start selling this unique SUV in Japan and in California, United States, as these areas have a reasonable density of hydrogen-filling stations.
The carmaker, however, recently launched the GLC 300 petrol and GLC 220 d diesel in India. The GLC rivals the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 SUVs here.
Suraj Viswanathan
Lenny D'sa
Dipan Sur
Saptarshi Mondal
Uday Singh
