Mercedes-Benz Urban Legends
It seems to be a fact of modern life. Whenever a company achieves a certain level of status and public respect, one or more urban legends must be spread about that company. The psychology behind urban legends has been hotly discussed in recent years, as television shows and websites attempt to separate fact from fiction and explain how certain legends developed.
Regardless, the legends persist, passed from person to person by word of mouth, blog and email. Mercedes is not impervious to urban legends. Two of the most popular legends, both false, hinge on Mercedes’ reputation as a forward-thinking luxury automobile manufacturer. We will discuss these legends and their origins today and tomorrow.
The Joystick-Operated Mercedes
This legend claims that a new Mercedes, generally named the “SCL600” will be operated by joystick. Accompanying pictures have captions that generally stress the fact that there are no pedals or steering wheel, and often lament the effect that video games have had on modern society.
In fact, the pictures are of a real Mercedes, but not one that will be released to the public. The photos are of a 1996 research car called the F 200. It was revealed at the Paris Motor Show as a demonstration of possible new vehicle technologies. Some elements of that car have since been introduced in new models, although the joystick technology is likely to be years away, if it ever materializes at all.
Mercedes has always been a leader in new vehicle technologies. Research vehicles are displayed on a regular basis as a way of showing industry insiders and the general public concepts on which the company is currently working. However, these “blue sky” technologies almost never materialize in their original concept form. Instead, the new designs are tested and retested and eventually refined into a form that works on a real-world level. Many ideas are abandoned altogether.
If you would like to talk about this or other Mercedes rumors and legends, we invite you to visit our Mercedes forums. You can also discuss your thoughts at Motor Trend’s Mercedes blog or the Blogspot Mercedes-Benz blog. We look forward to hearing your comments! Tomorrow, we will talk about the five million dollar Mercedes.
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