The Bionic Car project

In wind tunnels and water channels they examined how the attributes of the living model could be transferred to an automobile. The results are impressive.

Despite its angular structure, the boxfish had similar aerodynamic qualities to the teardrop – a shape which streamlining specialists consider to be the ideal aerodynamic form. When exposed to an open flow, this streamlined shape has a Cd value of 0.04. Using computer calculations and wind tunnel tests with an accurate model of the boxfish, the Mercedes engineers achieved a value which came very close to this ideal, namely 0.06 – an outstanding result. It explains why the boxfish is such a good swimmer and is so manoeuvrable with minimal effort.

To make use of the aerodynamic potential the specialists in Stuttgart first created a 1:4 scale model car whose shape substantially corresponded to the boxfish.

The angular outside contours of the living model were adapted in the area of the roof and side skirts, as was the prominent, descending rear end with its heavily scalloped sides and pronounced wedge shape.

In doing this they were disobeying important principles in automotive aerodynamics, and were all the more surprised at the results: the Cd value for the car was 0.095. In aerodynamic terms it was just as good as the shape – as measured on the ground - considered ideal by aerodynamics specialists (Cd 0.09).

The research model in the shape of a boxfish betters the drag coefficient of today’s compact cars by more than 65 percent.

Building the full-size car

Once the theory had been established, the second phase of the bionic car project got underway - to develop a full-size, roadworthy automobile on the basis of the boxfish contours – a fully equipped model for four occupants, with typical Mercedes attributes in terms of safety, comfort, design and day-to-day practicality, and equipped with all the technology necessary for minimal fuel consumption and the best possible environmental compatibility.

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