[Pavel]

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will introduce a hydrogen fuel cell powered version of the GLC crossover in the later half of 2017, to be labelled the GLC F-CELL.

The news was delivered by head of R&D Thomas Weber in an interview with Autocar. The current plan is to introduce the new GLC variant in September 2017 during the Frankfurt Motor Show. The planned on sale date is sometime in 2018. Mercedes-Benz predicts a maximum range of up to 373 miles, while a full recharge will take around three minutes.

This GLC will be the first Benz model to use a newly developed fuel cell stack that will fit right in where the combustion engine usually sits.

This fuel cell model will only be sold in select markets on a monthly lease program with as outright purchase of about $76,400.

Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL hydrogen vehicle announced for 2017 reveal

 

[NeedForSpeed]

Wow, everyone is suddenly gunning for the eco friendly market right now.
A few other that may come around that time:
Honda Clarity
Toyota has one too in concept form but not sure what it's called
Nissan Bolt and future next gen Leaf
Tesla
Jaguar too last I heard

The GLC F-CELL will need something to make it stand out.

 

[Pavel]

I never heard of a fuel cell Jaguar.

Is the Toyota you're speaking of the Mirai?

 

[CRNCYX]

I never heard of a fuel cell Jaguar.

Is the Toyota you're speaking of the Mirai?

Mirai is definitely the toyota, it's the only one i know that toyota has right now, no reported plans for anything else.

 

[NeedForSpeed]

I think Jaguar is coming out with an electric F-Pace. Still considered eco friendly.

 

[Pavel]

It certainly appears that automakers are really taking action on the realization that alternative fuel vehicles are going to be the future. It's cool to see all the eco firendly technology as well as the autonomous driving tech too. The auto industry is really on the forefront of technological innovation.

 

[NeedForSpeed]

Some auto companies are limited to automotive innovation. I think overall technological innovation goes to Honda because of Asimo.

 

[Pavel]

Saw an article about the fuel cell powered version. Thought I'd post it here for you guys.

Given that we’re nearly two years away from even seeing the fuel-cell GLC, details are thin. However, Weber did tell Autocar to expect a total driving range of up to 373 miles, with refills of the hydrogen tank requiring three minutes. The fuel-cell system will be all-new—and apparently not derived from the setup in the old fuel-cell B-class—but that’s all we know. No prospective sales markets were listed, but we can’t imagine Benz will pass on the opportunity to sell or lease the fuel-cell GLC in California. It might not have a choice, since that’s the only location in the U.S. with even a fledgling hydrogen-refueling network. Look for the hydrogen-fueled GLC to debut at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show before sales begin in 2018.

Mercedes-Benz Working on Hydrogen Fuel-Cell GLC-class for 2018 ?*News ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

 

[NeedForSpeed]

373 miles is a lot more than the pure electric cars but we'll have to see how far the Hydrogen refueling network has expanded by the time it comes out to see where the hydrogen-fueled GLC will be available.

 

[Pavel]

Only California has an infrastructure for hydrogen fuelling. And even there it is thin. unless states or other governing bodies really decide to make the investments to build the infrastructure, I don't see how its going to happen.

 

[CRNCYX]

Only California has an infrastructure for hydrogen fuelling. And even there it is thin. unless states or other governing bodies really decide to make the investments to build the infrastructure, I don't see how its going to happen.

As long as it's enough to have people move around enough and the spread of stations are strategically placed. Which is how most of infrastructure like this is launched and spread.

 

[Pavel]

I don't see why they would do it any other way... It also seems like it would be the best strategy to begin the undertaking in maybe 1-5 states and then slowly build out from there. Maybe California, Georgia and New York. Something like that.

 

[NeedForSpeed]

If the infrastructure isn't up by the time the fuel cell GLC is out, they're going to have a very small market to sell to. From what I can see, right now it's feasible for Germany and parts of America but nowhere else. This is taking into account the planned fueling station locations.

 

[Pavel]

I would guess that Japan will also be on the forefront. many of the Japanese companies are doing best with this technology and the country is so small that it is easier to build the infrastructure.

 

[CRNCYX]

More than likely they will be, even when it comes to self driving Taxi's I think they're going to be on of the first to implement it widely

 

[Pavel]

I will bet you that Japan and Europe (Norway, Denmark, parts of Germany) will be far ahead of North America. For some reason North America has an aversion to investment in modern infrastructure and transportation.

 

[Karl]

Why fix what isn't broken? I assume that's the though process when they factor in the cost of improving transportation/fueling infrastructure.

 

[Pavel]

Why fix what isn't broken? I assume that's the though process when they factor in the cost of improving transportation/fueling infrastructure.

That implies that because something isn't broken, it can't be better. While constant improvement of infrastructure would not be cost effective, determining where there are opportunities for effective investment seems prudent, rather than waiting for infrastructure to deteriorate to the point that it is unusable. Additionally, some stuff is breaking. Many bridges are on the literal verge of collapse, so some stuff is broken.

Not to mention, infrastructure is something that enables more efficient movement and work to be done throughout society. it is a common good.

 

[NeedForSpeed]

Just found this on autoexpress:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Mercedes’ research and development boss, told Auto Express, “Our research is behind us and we are in the middle of the roll-out of the next phase.

Maybe we'll see a test mule for the hydrogen-powered GLC SUV soon assuming the next phase is testing but from the way he worded the next sentence; will we be seeing more than one full-electric fuel cell vehicle?

“We decided to do a series production of a full-electric fuel cell vehicle with a market launch next year. These fuel cell-powered vehicles will be an SUV, based on our GLC,

 

[CRNCYX]

From what I can make of that it will be a model that isn't a version of something but something totally unique, there we'll see some real EV design.