Years Later, Mercedes-Benz’s Best Concept Model Still Looks Like an Electric Razor
As the race to produce EVs continues to quicken its pace, automakers like Mercedes-Benz have a concept of a future car that is nothing short of a wonder. However, even after several years, the model continues to look like an electric razor. Still, most vehicle manufacturers are doing their best to build the best possible EVs buyers can find out there.
The expectation is that technology will play a big role in most EV features available for sale in the future. So, buckle up because, in the coming years, automakers like Mercedes-Benz will take us on a journey full of possibilities in terms of what EVs can help one achieve and the experience they can offer.
Mercedes-Benz announces plans to go electric by 2025
By the end of the decade, Mercedes-Benz is planning to go all-electric because the company expects that is the period when market conditions will allow it to do so. For that reason, the automaker is focusing on accelerating toward a software-driven and emissions-free future by shifting from electric-first to electric-only vehicles.
Additionally, all the segments that Mercedes-Benz serves will have battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2022. After that, drivers can choose an all-electric alternative for each model Mercedes-Benz currently makes since all newly launched automobile architectures will be electric-only from 2025 onwards. It is also worth mentioning that Mercedes-Benz will be prioritizing its profitability targets while managing this accelerated transformation.
So, does that suggest that the F 015 is on the horizon? It is now almost six years since Mercedes-Benz made headlines after unveiling the F 015 Luxury in Motion research car, the one that very much looks like an electric razor. Mercedes-Benz USA reported it was a stunning, futuristic concept vehicle that could navigate itself without human assistance. Then, it seemed like a future populated by autonomous, driverless cars was on the horizon, and the excitement brought by the F 015 was palpable.
The only thing is that the F 015 is nowhere to be found since it was seen during its debut. Additionally, after the rollout of Waymo’s truly driverless ride-sharing service in Phoenix, Arizona, and the release of Tesla’s limited Full Self-Driving beta, Mercedes-Benz announced that it was throwing in the towel. For that reason, you will probably not be seeing the F 015 in the future.
Mercedes-Benz’s electric journey
Still, the F 015 started Mercedes-Benz’s journey into EVs, and the model was quite famous despite never releasing. The vehicle was a concept car, implying that it was never meant to go into mass production. According to Mercedes-Benz USA, the F 015 paved the way for what personal transportation will become in the future. The versatility of the F 015 allowed one to drive it autonomously or manually, and it resembled a silver bullet, or an electric razor, depending on your point of view.
The F 015 seats four individuals, and face-to-face interaction inside the vehicle is also possible since the seats swivel. A magic table appears in the center to fill the void between the seats, and the car has six interactive touch screens. These screens create a 360-degree media arena. Ultimately, that turns the ride experience into a video game, Car and Driver reported, which even features LED projection lights that communicate with other drivers and pedestrians.
Future EV plans for the luxury brand
The comprehensive plan that Mercedes-Benz has in place includes significantly accelerating research and development into EVs. According to Automotive World, the company’s investments into BEVs between 2022 and 2030 will be over €40 billion. Also, the launch of three electric-only architectures by Mercedes-Benz will take place in 2025. These will include VAN.EA, which will feature purpose-made light commercial vehicles and electric vans.
The objective, in this case, will be to contribute to emission-free cities and transportation in the future. MB.EA will be the other electric-only architecture you should expect in the coming days, focusing on all medium to large-sized passenger vehicles. The intention here is to establish a scalable modular system to serve as the electric backbone for an EV portfolio of the future.
Last but not least is AMG.EA, which will be a dedicated performance EV platform that will address performance and technology-oriented Mercedes-AMG customers. After bringing production, planning, purchasing, and development under one roof by reorganizing its powertrain activities, Mercedes-Benz will acquire U.K.-based electric motor firm YASA.
Doing so will insource its electric drive technology and deepen its vertical integration in development and manufacturing. Presently, Mercedes-Benz is working on the Vision EQXX, an EV with a real-world range of over 1,000 kilometers. The target here is a single-digit figure for over 6 miles per kWh at normal highway driving speeds.
The expectation is that the vehicle will premier in 2022. Mercedes-Benz is also planning to establish a battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, Germany. The factory will focus on developing and recycling know-how and capacity and will begin operations in 2023. The outcome of discussions with authorities will then dictate the commencement of the plant’s operations.
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