This year’s LA Auto Show Design Challenge theme was about the ultimate highway patrol vehicle of 2025. Mercedes-Benz was one of the carmakers that picked up the gauntlet and its Advanced Design Center California came up with the Ener-G-Force patrol concept.
Their work was deemed good enough to turn the “pure science fiction” Highway Patrol Vehicle into a full-size concept car. Instead of a law enforcement vehicle, though, it became a study of how the G-Wagen, a hardcore off-roader that has been with us since 1979 might evolve in the future.
Mercedes-Benz points out that the Energ-G-Force concept displayed at the LA Show, while futuristic in appearance, incorporates certain G-Class elements, like the radiator grille that incorporates the headlights and the front indicator and position lights that are mounted on top of the wings.
Naturally, since it’s a concept that’s supposed to show us a glimpse of the future, the Ener-G-Force employs a much more advanced powertrain that features four wheel-hub electric motors, quick-charge battery packs mounted on the side skirts and a fuel-cell stack under the hood that is powered by recycled water stored in the roof-mounted tanks.
By Andrew Tsaousis
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