Over 500 tests to ensure Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL is safe

By CARSIFU | 6 September 2017


STUTTGART: The pre-production vehicle of the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, which will be displayed publicly for the first time at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017, combines fuel cell and battery technology into a plug-in hybrid.

As the name suggests, the vehicle is based on the GLC.

Daimler said the first prototypes were subjected to over 500 tests, which in addition to the standard test regimen for all vehicles also included special tests for the electric powertrain, the hydrogen fuel cell, and the interplay of all powertrain components.

Mercedes-Benz has had almost 30 years of experience with fuel cell vehicles that have travelled more than 18 million kilometres in total. To date, the fleet of Daimler fuel cell vehicles, which together with a host of research vehicles numbers more than 300.



Daimler said engineers prioritised safety in the development of the F-CELL variant of the GLC launched in 2015, paying special attention to the integration of the safety-relevant components such as the hydrogen tanks, the gas seals and valves, and the high-voltage components.

The hydrogen tanks are installed in the crash-protected area between the vehicle axles and are protected additionally by a subframe wrapped around the tanks. In the event of a crash, additional extensive measures were implemented such as, for example, a multi-stage valve system as well as special protective circuits for the high-voltage system.

Daimler said crash tests conducted with the pre-production GLC F-CELL and earlier hydrogen vehicles showed that the engineers had achieved a level of safety comparable to that of conventional vehicles.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz is getting ready for the series production of the fuel cell vehicles.

Exklusive Einblicke in die Entwicklung und Erprobung des GLC F-CELL: Die nächste Generation Brennstoffzellenfahrzeuge von Mercedes-Benz auf dem Weg zur Serienreife

Exklusive Einblicke in die Entwicklung und Erprobung des GLC F-CELL: Die nächste Generation Brennstoffzellenfahrzeuge von Mercedes-Benz auf dem Weg zur Serienreife

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