With automotive technology always changing, evolving, and improving, concept cars play a pivotal role in showcasing what could be possible in the future. Sometimes design and technology features of concept cars become commonplace, and sometimes they stand out for their strangeness. The 1996 Mercedes-Benz F 200 “Imagination” concept car epitomized this unique blend of the novel and the functional. One of the most unusual things about this strikingly different concept car was its use of joysticks to control both speed and direction and its lack of steering wheel and pedals. Making the driving experience even more unusual, the joysticks could be controlled by either the driver or the passenger.
The F 200 “Imagination” contained several examples of technology considered standard today but groundbreaking nearly three decades ago. It featured an electronic display that spanned the interior cabin, an onboard computer, a roof made almost entirely of glass, and headphones capable of wirelessly transmitting audio from the radio, CDs, and DVDs. It had window airbags, active suspension, and cameras instead of side mirrors. The vehicle even featured voice recognition for early cell phones and telebanking functionality.
Pushing the limits of imagination:
- The Mercedes-Benz F 200 “Imagination” concept car was unveiled at the 1996 Paris Motor Show.
- The F 200 belonged to the “F” series of research vehicles created by Mercedes-Benz.
- The Mercedes-Benz F 200 “Imagination” recently sold for a reported $10 million USD to a private collector.