We Hear: Mercedes-Benz to Offer GLC Hydrogen Fuel Cell Model

Many automakers are pushing to introduce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the coming years, including Toyota and Honda, which will offer the Mirai and FCV Clarity models, respectively. Now, it appears Mercedes-Benz might be readying a fuel cell vehicle of its own.

Mercedes-Benz head of R&D Thomas Weber recently spoke with Autocar, saying, “The technology has matured greatly in recent years, with improved packaging and efficiency, but it remains in its infancy and is still quite expensive by conventional driveline standards.”

By 2017, the German automaker will show off its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle be based off the new 2016 GLC. Expected to be named the GLC F-Cell, the fuel cell vehicle will make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show with the expectation of hitting European showrooms the following year. Pricing information is a long ways off, but the new model is expected to go for 50,000 pounds (roughly $75,600) in the U.K.

“We are targeting a combined range for the fuel cell and battery of up to 600 km (373 miles), along with a refuelling time for the hydrogen tanks of three minutes,” Weber said.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz offers the GLC in gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid variants. We previously speculated that we’d get the plug-in hybrid by 2017 as a 2018 model, likely with a slightly smaller price tag than the fuel-cell variant.

Mercedes-Benz has toyed with the idea of hydrogen fuel cells before with the B-Class F-Cell prototype. The GLC F-Cell will implement some of the prototype’s components, and will feature the same fuel cell stack that will be mounted in place of the gas engine.

Source: Autocar

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