Friday 19th November 2010

BIOME Me Up Scotty. Warp factor whatever!

M-B's eco-tastic supercar fantasy becomes reality (just not really)

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When we told you about M-B's extraordinary BIOME supercar concept the other day, we had no idea they intended to build it.

Well, they haven't. But they have created a life-size mock-up, and it would seem churlish not to share it.

In case you missed it last time, the BIOME is a revolutionary concept that is (and here we must quote): "fully integrated into the ecosystem, from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life."

And here's how, according to the press release...

"The Mercedes-Benz BIOME symbiosis vehicle is made from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5 lbs (around 394 kg). This material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel. BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534.As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of theBIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear. To accommodate specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle "grows" when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.

"The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors which can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534. This creates a direct link with nature's energy sources and acts as an incentive to cover mobility energy requirements through more trees and at the same time maintain natural resources. Like plants, the Mercedes-Benz symbiosis vehicle also produces oxygen, thereby contributing to improving air quality. At the end of its service life, the Mercedes-Benz BIOME can be fully composted or used as building material."

So there you have it - the future. Or at least one vision of it.

And to think we were already impressed that Merc is claiming 28.5mpg for the latest CLS 63 AMG...

 

[DullBoy]

checks calendar - nope not April 1st.

[uremaw]

Erm, yeah.

In other news, i've just developed a new technology called MagicPump. I've successfully grown myself a new heart in my greenhouse, using only compost and magic beans. I've genetically engineered it to make me live to 300, be immune to coronary disease, and be irresistable to women.

I'm not actually in a position to demonstrate this new technology, and never will be, but i trust you'll take me on my word.

UremaW
Creator, founder and CEO of MagicPump Industries
A subsidiary of Unicorn Corp

[cupra-r rob]

Ive read this 3 times and still dont understand, is it a tree? I'll go with magic pump, at least i understand the concept.

[Munter]

uremaw said:

A subsidiary of Unicorn Corp

http://unicorncorp.com/

[Insight]

That's the most beautiful car ever design in the 21st century! Love it

[Greenwich Ross]

No.

[soad]

Not keen on this one at all

[MOB1]

Is it just me or is anyone else sick of looking at stupid concepts that will never come true. I know they say its to show what they are capable of but whats the point if they never produce what they are capable of........
ok I'm having a grumpy day but still!

[JRDUNN]

does this even have the ability to drive the wheels dont look like they would turn.
im a fan of inventions which mean we can keep driving, but this however doesnt look to be the answer.... sounds cool though

[sprinter1050]

"BioNectar.
Grown from 2 seeds
Mercedes badge at front grows this/ badge at back grows exterior"

Has M-B been sniffing some of the stuff from their own "DNA nursery"?

DullBoy said:

checks calendar - nope not April 1st.

No I think you're wrong.
(at least in Mercedes Benz own little world it probably is )

[Andysywv]

To get into this thing presumably any prospective owner would have to sit between the two 'seeds' as they 'grow' together, where he/she would remain until the the thing had decomposed enough in order to get out of it - not very practical

[goron59]

If it's powered by the bionectar in the fibres it's made of, wouldn't that be like making a wooden train powered by burning the wood?

[vintageracer01]

Finally there is a Mercedes design I can live with.

Great stuff!

[rory182]

DullBoy said:

checks calendar - nope not April 1st.

My thoughts exactly, clearly written by some PR person from another world

[Bill]

sprinter1050 said:

Has M-B been sniffing some of the stuff from their own "DNA nursery"?

That or they're trying to out-do sniffpetrol.

[havoc]

goron59 said:

If it's powered by the bionectar in the fibres it's made of, wouldn't that be like making a wooden train powered by burning the wood?

Are you powered only when someone sets you alight?


This really is Grade-A narcotic-induced eco-bks, isn't it?!? Are M-B hoping that some poor deluded eco-maniac takes this seriously so they can turn around and say "Ha-ha*, you gullible moron!" Or did someone order the wrong type of chocolate brownies for the design department?




* or whatever the German equivalent is.

[Gadgeroonie]

i'd love to see a real car that followed the styling cues

[GTRene]

I like the design...

but were are the shocks?
I mean I can't see a part were things can move...how can it adapt pothole's

[havoc]

GTRene said:

I like the design...

but were are the shocks?
I mean I can't see a part were things can move...how can it adapt pothole's

It glides over them, this levitation powered by the warm glow of smug self-satisfaction that the driver exudes merely from sitting in the car!

[glazbagun]

Sounds like an school of art/design project. Went to one such exhibit and the car section was dissapointingly full of baseless fantasy (with cool models) like this, where in other corners people were developing genuinely useful things like super-low energy production methods for recyclable household goods.

Edited by glazbagun on Friday 19th November 13:42