F200 IMMAGINATION

At the end of 1995, thanks to the successful delivery of the 6 models of the C Sport Coupé W203, a good omen for a complex project whose presentation at the upcoming Paris salon in 1996 was confirmed by the Mercedes board.
The name was Vision F200 Immagination,it was to be a perfectly functioning Show Car, a project in partnership with the Advance Design studio of Sindelfingen and the Resarch Department in Stuttgart.
Harald Leschke in a photograph from 2004.Harald Leschke, as director of Advanced Design, was the design contact assisted by Chris Rhoades, Gunter Holzel and Jurgen Weissinger of the research and development departments for mechanical, electrical and electronic systems.
The objective of the "Vision" program was to anticipate as far as possible the most futuristic aesthetic and technical solutions of future production Mercedes'.
The F200 Vision Imagination, for the Stuttgart company, must represent the culmination of all the  technological innovation in their possession. Automatic butterfly wing doors, automatic opening trunk, electro-chromic panoramic glass, cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, side window airbags, voice recognition for mobile phones, touch opening doors and trunk, monitor style dashboard instruments and especially the joy stick in place  of the steering wheel.
The cabin of the Airbus aircraft, the consortium of which Mercedes at the time was a member of, and the newly arrived PlayStation 1, were the most important inspirations for the F200 Immagination.

1995 For many years, Airbuses no longer use the usual joystick but a joystick. Airbus is also the first aviation
industry to use electronic screens instead of analog instruments.
The success of the PlayStation 1 that arrived in 1995 is so evident that Mercedes wants to imagine that the drivers of tomorrow will no longer use the steering wheel but a PlayStation-like command.

1995 Sindelfingen: from the Advanced Design directed by Harald Leschke, the chosen design of the F200 by Christopher Rhoades.

December 1995 Rivoli. Meeting by model resolution from the left Peter Pfeiffer, Olivier Boulay, Bruno Sacco and Stefano Ardagna can be recognized.June 1996 Rivoli. From left Felice Chiara and Rocco Tartaglia.

June 1996 Rivoli. Felice Chiara in the foreground behind Tesauro and Comollo inside the Rocco cockpit.
The whole body is made of hand-beaten aluminum sheet. From beating models built in Stola spa, the Coggiola company has been the supplier of the aluminum sheets.

Beppe Comollo and a Mercedes research technician.H. Weller.

July 1996 Rivoli. Tommasio.

Without a doubt, for that time, the most electronic prototype ever built.Without a doubt, for that time, the most electronic prototype ever built.

July 1996 Mulargia works on the front bumper.July 1996. H. Leschke, F. Chiara, H. Weller and Bianco.

August 1996 Rivoli. Spitaleri, Filippo Casciano, X and Weissinger are recognized.

August 1996 Rivoli. Sometimes discomfort and fatigue arrive. Rocco, A. Tornatore, F. Chiara.August 1996 Rivoli. Sometimes discomfort and fatigue arrive. H. Leschke, F. Chiara and B. Comollo.

Stefano Ardagna, X and YL.Giarolo, J. Weissinger, G. Grande and F. Cerva.

The Mercedes electronics and mechanics team.Bonetto, X, Rocco and Tommasio.

1 October 1996 Rivoli. A few days before transport to the Paris Salono.
We recognize Tesauro, Spitaleri, Gavioli, Casciano and Cerva.4 October 1996 Rivoli. Finished work the prototype is already on the truck for the photo shoot.
The next day he will leave for the Paris motor show.
Gioachino Grande, Harald Leschke and Alfredo Stola.

4 October 1996 Turin At the sound stage for the classic photographs for use in the press kit.

The futuristic instrument panel.

The joystick instead of the steering wheel. There are no more pedals.

4 October 1996 Turin Sound stage.
The sophisticated automatic trunk with infinity opening.4 October 1996 Turin Stage theater.
The refined grille in milled aluminum.

Paris October 1996: The Mercede F200 Show Car in World Premier at the Paris Motor Show.

Stuttgart 2019. The Mercedes F200 is currently on display at the Mercedes museum.