What is it?

Although a bit awkward looking, this is Merc's vision of a hydrogen powered future. In an evening pre-show reception Merc's Dr Z went on something of a party-political broadcast pushing hydrogen as a fuel of the future. If the numbers are to be believed then this plug-in, hydrogen-powered machine is capable of 1,000km between hydrogen fills, which is handy given the current scarcity of pumps...

Why's it here?

It's a demonstration of what's possible. Dr Z's speech was lengthy, but the crux of it is that Mercedes-Benz's future is hydrogen powered. Likening the current auto world to the rail industry (the 125 name has nothing to do with the Intercity train, rather Merc's 125 years), the moustachioed Merc supremo said Mercedes wouldn't be going the same way as the steam engine makers did when the rail industry switched fuels.

Show stopper or floor filler?

You'll not be rushing to look at it, especially with some real eye-candy on the Mercedes-Benz stand like the SLS AMG Roadster to distract your attention. The technology's pretty trick though, with Mercedes claiming a new means of storing the hydrogen, better lithium-ion battery technology and even suggesting how a completely new infrastructure might work. Impressive stuff, but Mercedes-Benz did invent the motor car, and it looks like 125 years later it's planning on re-inventing it if the F125 is anything to go by.

Frankfurt Motor Show

Kyle Fortune - 13 Sep 2011