Mercedes has confirmed that it is developing a hydrogen fuel-cell powered GLC for international markets. The new SUV, set to be called the GLC F-Cell, will make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show before entering production in the following year in select international markets.
Mercedes’ research and development boss, Thomas Weber told our sister publication Autocar UK that the engineering parameters to develop the new car had been finalised and the German automaker planned to achieve a combined range of 600km from the fuel cell and battery, along with a hydrogen refill time of three minutes.
The GLC F-Cell is expected to receive a new fuel cell stack mounted in place of the conventional combustion engine.
Mercedes had been testing early fuel-cell prototypes based on the Mercedes B-class. But Weber said that the option was not feasible as the high cost of the fuel stack only made it commercially viable in a higher segment.
He said, “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.”
Fellow German automaker, BMW is also said to be developing a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle though it is not expected to revealed before 2020. Current competitors to the upcoming GLC F-Cell include the Toyota Mirai and Honda FCV Clarity.