Mercedes Bionic Car Concept

DaimlerChrysler took some cues from nature to develop its latest concept car. The boxy yet streamlined profile of the boxfish lent its shape to the Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car, resulting in an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.19. The fish's hexagonal scales also inspired a honeycomb-type construction for some of the vehicle's body panels that increases rigidity and lowers weight. These naturally motivated improvements paid off: According to DaimlerChrysler engineers, the diesel-powered Bionic Car achieves 70 miles per gallon using U.S. measuring methods.

 

The Bionic Car uses a 2.0-liter common-rail, direct injection turbodiesel engine that makes 140 hp and 221 lbs-ft of torque. This engine is clean enough to meet current Euro IV exhaust emission standards, but the bionic car reduces emissions further with a Selective Catalytic Reduction system that sprays an aqueous urea solution into the exhaust system to convert nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. The result is NOx emission reductions of up to 80 percent. This fully functional four-seater premiered at the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington, D.C.