Automotive

The paint on the Mercedes Vision G-Code concept harvests solar and wind energy

The paint on the Mercedes Vision G-Code concept harvests solar and wind energy
The Mercedes-Benz Vision G-Code concept car has multi-voltaic silver paint that harvests solar and wind energy
The Mercedes-Benz Vision G-Code concept car has multi-voltaic silver paint that harvests solar and wind energy
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The Mercedes-Benz Vision G-Code concept car has multi-voltaic silver paint that harvests solar and wind energy
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The Mercedes-Benz Vision G-Code concept car has multi-voltaic silver paint that harvests solar and wind energy
The G-Code also recovers energy from the motion of the suspension
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The G-Code also recovers energy from the motion of the suspension
The G-Code has different driving modes for maximum efficiency, for maximum driving comfort or for sports performance
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The G-Code has different driving modes for maximum efficiency, for maximum driving comfort or for sports performance
Depending on the mode selected, the G-Code can be driven by the front wheels, by the rear wheels or in a variable all-wheel setup
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Depending on the mode selected, the G-Code can be driven by the front wheels, by the rear wheels or in a variable all-wheel setup
The G-Code features LED headlights and the grille is illuminated with colored lighting depending on what mode the car is in
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The G-Code features LED headlights and the grille is illuminated with colored lighting depending on what mode the car is in
The G-Code is started using a smartphone app and a head-up display provides driver information
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The G-Code is started using a smartphone app and a head-up display provides driver information
The G-Code seats monitor health and have built-in heating, cooling and massage functions
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The G-Code seats monitor health and have built-in heating, cooling and massage functions
The G-Code was shown off at the opening of the new Mercedes Product Engineering Center in Beijing
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The G-Code was shown off at the opening of the new Mercedes Product Engineering Center in Beijing
A drawing of the G-Code from the front
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A drawing of the G-Code from the front
A drawing of the G-Code from the rear
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A drawing of the G-Code from the rear
A rendering of the G-Code from the front
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A rendering of the G-Code from the front
A rendering of the G-Code interior
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A rendering of the G-Code interior
A rendering of the G-Code interior
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A rendering of the G-Code interior
View gallery - 13 images

Hydrogen-powered cars are a greener alternative to those powered by petrol. One new Mercedes-Benz concept car is not only powered by hydrogen, but by its paint job as well. The Vision G-Code SUV is finished in "multi-voltaic silver" paint that harvests solar and wind energy.

The G-Code is by no means the first Mercedes concept to focus on blue-sky environmental ideals. The 2010 Biome was proposed to be grown in the lab rather than built in a factory and would be fully biodegradable. Whilst not quite that outlandish, the G-Code concept is nonetheless very novel.

According to Mercedes, the multi-voltaic paint acts like "a giant solar cell with excellent efficiency," recovering solar energy and relaying it into the car's internal system. In addition, it can be charged electrostatically, by the relative wind caused by driving or the natural wind when the vehicle is stationary. The G-Code also features what Mercedes calls "power on the move" suspension, which recovers energy from the motion of the suspension to generate electricity.

The G-Code features LED headlights and the grille is illuminated with colored lighting depending on what mode the car is in
The G-Code features LED headlights and the grille is illuminated with colored lighting depending on what mode the car is in

Beyond its innovative paintwork, the G-Code has three different driving modes. It can be configured for maximum efficiency, for maximum driving comfort or for sports performance. Depending on the mode selected, the vehicle can be driven by the front wheels, by the rear wheels or in a variable all-wheel setup. This is facilitated by what Mercedes calls a digital prop shaft between the front and rear axles.

The G-Code features LED headlights and an LED strip across its rear that includes the indicators, tail lights, and brake lights. The grille is also illuminated with colored lighting depending on what mode the car is in.

The G-Code is started using a smartphone app and a head-up display provides driver information
The G-Code is started using a smartphone app and a head-up display provides driver information

Inside, the car's steering wheel folds away when not in use and the pedals retract. The G-Code is started using a smartphone app and a head-up display provides driver information. Rear-view camera feeds are superimposed into the display and the car features a variety of monitoring technologies, including 3D cameras, radar, infra-red scanner and GPS.

Drivers and passengers also benefit from air conditioning that cleans the air on entry, as well as "health monitoring" seats that have built-in heating, cooling and massage functions. Two electric scooters are stowed in a luggage compartment for onwards traveling once the car has been parked.

The G-Code was shown off at the opening of the new Mercedes Product Engineering Center in Beijing.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

View gallery - 13 images
4 comments
4 comments
Martin Winlow
"In addition, it can be charged electrostatically, by the relative wind caused by driving..."
Lest someone more inclined to be beastly than I visits this web page, I would be inclined to alter the article to delete any references to an 'over-unity' (aka 'perpetual motion') capability of this concept vehicle. Clearly, suggesting that the paint can harvest energy to charge the car as it moves along is daft. Just paint it with normal paint and it'll *have* to use even less energy (due to losses in the system) to move it! MW
PlanetPapi
It would be nice if this car can harvest pollution emitted by cars in front of it. Even better if it can amplify heart beat of the driver and converts into energy. Let me think more...
Rick Steeb
Can somebody please explain how to "harvest wind energy" without creating added drag [in excess of anything harvested]?? I didn't think so! =D
Mark Keller
I believe that flexion of the paint film is what makes the electrical charge when wind goes over it. The paint has special properties (crystalline structures) that produces a piezoelectric effect. Heck, for that matter, rain and washing the car could generate some charge.