Built on the architecture of the compact European B-Class, it served as a high-tech laboratory on wheels to demonstrate how zero-emission technology could fit seamlessly into a practical, family-oriented premium car.

It paired a hydrogen fuel cell with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack.

The fuel cell alone produced a constant 82 horsepower (60 kW). When accelerating, both power sources combined to deliver a total peak output of 115 horsepower (85 kW) and 350 Nm of torque.

It featured a zero-emission driving range of over 400 kilometres (250 miles) and reached a top speed of roughly 170 km/h.

It consumed the energy equivalent of just 2.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (roughly 97 mpg).

It featured a zero-emission driving range of over 400 kilometres (250 miles) and reached a top speed of roughly 170 km/h.

It consumed the energy equivalent of just 2.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (roughly 97 mpg).

Mercedes replaced traditional noisy air compressors with a near-silent electric turbocharger to feed air into the fuel cell stack quietly.

The vehicle could operate as a generator. Using an onboard domestic-voltage power outlet, it could supply electricity to several homes during a power blackout or emergency.

The front doors used a space-saving mechanism that swiveled upward slightly when opening, making entry easier in tight, cramped parking slots.

The interior featured highly modular layouts. The passenger and rear seat backrests could be flipped, allowing for a face-to-face seating arrangement so parents could easily look after a child in an ISOFIX seat.

It previewed a novel control interface that recognized human touch using the body skin's natural electrical conductivity to modify dual-zone climate configurations.

The F 600 was the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to showcase full LED headlights, a preview of the PRE-SAFE head/knee protection systems, and side blind-spot cameras.