Mercedes to show new concept

Mercedes-Benz will celebrate its 125th anniversary on 29 January by unveiling a new design concept, a well-placed insider has revealed to Autocar.

But instead of the car taking the form of a traditional show or concept car, it will be a sculpture in the same mould as the one that inspired the eventual look of the F800 concept first seen at last year’s Detroit motor show.

Our insider also revealed that the firm was planning a “dramatic, sensational” new concept at the Frankfurt motor show in the autumn, also as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations, which would not be linked to the 29 January concept. This concept is unlikely to take the ‘F900’ name, despite the traditional name being next in line for Merc’s next big innovative show car.

The 29 January marks exactly 125 years since Karl Benz was awarded a patent for his Motorwagen and Autocar revealed last year that Mercedes could also reveal details of its Mercedes Front-drive Architecture (MFA) platform that will underpin a new family of A- and B-class models at the celebration evening in Stuttgart.

Our insider revealed that a “whole range” of show cars for the A- and B-class range were planned in the coming months, with a Geneva show debut in March the most likely launch date for the first concepts.

Mercedes kicked off its 125th anniversary celebrations at this year’s Detroit show with a celebration of its innovation with alternatively-fuelled cars, a teaser to the fact its MFA patent is likely to centre around an automobile that can be “powered by petrol, diesel, natural gas, hydrogen and electricity”