Mercedes Ener-G-Force

Called the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept, this futuristic G-wagen has long-term operations in remote areas in mind. The Energ-G-Force is powered by recycled water stored in rooftop tanks which is then transferred to a “hydro-tech” system that converts the water and other resources into hydrogen fuel.

As with anything operating in remote areas, redundancy is key. The Ener-G-Force uses four wheel-mounted motors, which means that even if two motors die, you’ve still got enough power to limp along. In a nod to law enforcement, the amount of vulnerable glass is limited, protecting the occupants from unruly hippies and angry bears.

It’s a pretty cool concept, though not one I ever expect Mercedes to put on the road. But I’ve always enjoyed works of futurism, and this concept is no exception.

With this year’s design challenge calling for the ultimate law enforcement vehicle of 2025, Mercedes designers sketched that car, and the took it a step further with this civilian rendition of what the police machine could look like.

Using hydrogen fuel cells and a “hydro-tech converter” where “natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells” the Ener-G-Force offers an emission free range of 500 miles an features independent electric motors in each wheel. A “Terra-Scan” topography scanner then scans the road ahead to determine spring and damper rates.

Ford Evos

It’s the new face of Ford – a striking four-door, four-seater sports coupe that lays down a masterplan for the way the firm’s cars of tomorrow will look.

The head-turning Evos features incredible gullwing doors, a fuel-sipping petrol-electric hybrid powerplant and cutting-edge infotainment systems.

The Evos concept will be the star of Ford’s Frankfurt Motor Show stand in September, and is the first example of the company’s all-new Kinetic 2 global design language. This latest family face is the result of a collaboration between the company’s design studios around the world, and it will dictate how upcoming Ford models, such as the Mondeo and S-MAX, will look. It could also point to a much-rumoured coupe, too.

It has distinctive proportions, with the 4.5-metre body slightly longer than that of a Focus. Yet the car is nearly as broad as a Lamborghini Aventador – it’s 1.97 metres wide – and almost as low as an Audi TT at 1.36 metres.

At the front, the new signature trapezoidal Ford grille is mounted in a prominent, high position. Extremely slim ‘laser cut’ front headlights with LEDs are another key feature designed to give a characterful, upmarket look.

Deep slashes in the lower part of the nose house spotlights, while a sporty splitter and small air intake complete the new face.

Elsewhere, the design is all about bold surfacing – just look at the raised bonnet bulge and the sculpted flanks – and with relatively short overhangs and a fastback tail, it’s a taut and sporty look that we could see easily being translated on to forthcoming models.

One feature that won’t be carried over, of course, is the gullwing door layout, which uses four individual openings. The front ‘wings’ incorporate the slim windscreen A-pillars and part of the bonnet, while those at the back lift most of the rear bodywork up and away as they open. Inside, the Evos is built around the driver. The layout features clean, simple surfaces with a slim upper instrument panel and bold trapezoidal cut-outs. Contrasting these shapes are curvy sweeps either side of the driver, providing secondary information about car and infotainment systems.

Individual touchscreens in the rear allow passengers to control functions such as seat adjustment, while up front, the driver sits in a bold red seat and enjoys the very latest version of Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system. This combines music streaming with info about traffic, weather and road conditions.

The idea is that the owner can focus on driving, as the Evos communicates with the outside world. It can automatically heat or cool the cabin before anyone gets on board, reroute the car to avoid areas of heavy pollution and congestion and update the chassis, steering and engine settings using sat-nav to read the road ahead and prepare for the demands likely to be put upon it.

Under the bonnet, the Evos is designed to use combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, running off lithium-ion batteries, to drive the front wheels. The system allows the engine and electric motor to work together or separately to maximise efficiency – Ford says the Evos has a range of up to 500 miles.

It can also run solely on electricity, and plugs into the mains to top up. There are no official performance figures, but the 250bhp combined output should give 0-60mph in seven seconds and 60mpg economy.