Mercedes-Benz Bionic
| Mercedes-Benz Bionic | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | Concept car (2005) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.9-liter four-cylinder direct-injection turbodiesel. 138 hp (103 kW) |
| Transmission | Autotronic CVT transmission |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 101 in (2,565 mm) |
| Length | 167 in (4,242 mm) |
| Width | 71.5 in (1,816 mm) |
| Height | 62.8 in (1,595 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,425 lb (1,100 kg) |
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The Mercedes-Benz Bionic was a concept car created by DaimlerChrysler AG under the Mercedes Group. It was first introduced in 2005 at the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington, D. C. The bionic was modelled after a type of fish, the yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus,[1] and also has 80% lower nitrogen oxide emissions with its Selective Catalytic Reduction technology.
Engine and Performance
The Bionic is powered by a 103 kW direct-injection diesel engine that gives out around 70 MPG (US) (~3.36 L/100 km). This engine also gives out around a total of 140 horsepower (100 kW) and a little over 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) of torque at around 1600 rpm. The Bionic can go from 0-60 in about 8 seconds and has a top speed of a little over 190 km/h (118 mph) .
Design
The exterior design was modelled after the yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus), a marine fish that lives in coral reefs. Mercedes-Benz decided to model the Bionic after this fish due to the supposed low coefficient of drag of its body shape and the rigidity of its exoskeleton; this influenced the car's unusual looks. Other parts of the design include the fact that the rear wheels are partially fitted with plastic and that it's considered as a lightweight vehicle. Mercedes-Benz reported a drag coefficient of 0.19;[2] for comparison, the production vehicle with the lowest ever Cd value was the GM EV1, at 0.195. While the Bionic had a much larger internal volume than the EV1, the Bionic's larger frontal area made the EV1 more aerodynamic overall, as drag is a product of the area and the drag coefficient.
References
- ↑ ""Bionic" Car Fueled by Fishy Ideas". National Geographic. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ↑ Mercedes' fish-inspired car CNN (retrieved 2008-08-12)