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)
Comparison to a streamlined half-body with Cd of 0.12.
The yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus

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

  1. ↑ ""Bionic" Car Fueled by Fishy Ideas". National Geographic. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Mercedes' fish-inspired car CNN (retrieved 2008-08-12)
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