Mercedes-Benz debuted an all-new concept car with
future-oriented technology. Unveiled at the Paris Auto
Show, the F200 design study features a revolutionary
control system to drive and steer the car, an inflatable
airbag "curtain" for increased side-impact protection, and
 video technology to enhance driving safety.

      Joysticks instead
      of pedals and 
      steering wheel

Instead of the usual steering wheel, accelerator and brake
pedals, the F200 uses "side sticks" or joysticks. Located
in the interior door panels and center console, the
side-sticks demonstrate the potential for electronic
"drive-by-wire" controls which could provide greater
safety and convenience for drivers (and passengers) of the
future. To steer the car, the driver moves the side-sticks
to the left or right, while the sticks are moved forward for
acceleration and rearward for braking.

      Fuel-saving
      video mirrors

Among the many design features which contribute to both
safety and low wind drag are indash video displays
instead of conventional outside rear-view mirrors. Four
cameras for the "electronic mirrors" are hidden at the rear
corners of the roof, and a fifth camera in the rear bumper
is automatically switched on when the car is shifted into
reverse.

      Window-Airbag

A new feature for side-impact protection is shown for the
first time in the F200. When deployed, a so-called
window bag extends across the entire side of the car like
a curtain. Hidden along the roof pillar trim, the new
window bag works in conjunction with door-mounted
side airbags to substantially reduce the risk of head
injuries in lateral crashes and roll-overs. 

      Preview of new
      S-Class features?

One may wonder whether some of the features of the
F200, such as the window airbag, will actually make their
way into series production with the new S-Class, which
will debut in 1998 as a '99 model. Don't expect though to
drive with a joystick anytime soon, the F200 certainly isn't
a "preview car" like the AAV concept car, which actually
resembled the soon to-be-released M-Class.