| Mercedes-Benz F 200 Imagination | |
| Manufacturer: | Daimler-Benz Stola |
| Class: | Sports car/Concept car |
| Body Style: | 2-door coupé |
| Layout: | FMR |
| Engine: | 6.0 L M120 V12 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission |
| Doors: | Dihedral |
| Related: | Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C215) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) |
The Mercedes-Benz F 200 "Imagination" coupe is a concept study by then Daimler-Benz unveiled at the 1996 Paris Motor Show. The goal was to show off innovations in control, design, and comfort in passenger cars. The car's exterior design was in part based on the, then, upcoming S-Class. This 2-door coupe also previewed the CL-Class coupe, which debuted in 1999.[1]
One of the unique innovations was the implementation of "Sidesticks". Sidesticks were a drive by joystick design (rather than the conventional steering wheel and gas/brake pedals) that could be toggled between the driver and passenger. Other innovations included:[2]
In the early 2000s, the F 200 gained popularity as pictures of it were being mass mailed out under the subject of "The New Benz - very different... really different!". Many of the emails incorrectly claimed the car to be the new "SCL600". The intent of the email was to draw sarcasm from the radical designs of the car and its Sidesticks control system.