Tokyo show: Mercedes hints at next S-class

MERCEDES-BENZ is promoting the F500 Mind concept as a mobile research laboratory.

The F 500 Mind is a four-door five-seat fastback with a variation of the rear-hinged doors found on the Mazda RX-8.

It has also been described by some as a pointer the next generation S-class, codenamed W221 and due on sale in 2005 – just as the F200 concept shown at the 1996 Paris motor show revealed the new front-end design of the current S-class.

Drive comes courtesy of a 234kW diesel hybrid unit that uses up to 20 per cent less fuel than a comparable diesel engine.

Some of the more relevant high-tech features include an instrumentation display that uses a night vision system to project its images on the screen.

An electronic accelerator and brake pedals liberate space compared to their mechanical counterparts, which translates to more efficient use of cabin space.

There’s also a driver ultrasound system, which directs sound-based information only to the driver. This reduces noise pollution for the other occupants of the vehicle.