Museum Of Modern Arts To Feature Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car

I never knew some automakers can make great philosophers too. Not until, I came across Daimler Chrysler’s philosophy. As we all know, Daimler Chrysler is the leading automobile manufacturer in terms of technological advancements. And it lives by these philosophies: Thinking the unthinkable. Looking beyond the horizon. Leaving familiar paths and giving new ideas a chance.

Daimler Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz Technology Center’s commitment to safety, comfort and most importantly to environmental compatibility complemented by its engineer’s creative minds paved the way for the Mercedes-Benz bionic car -- a concept vehicle inspired by nature but utilizes the diesel engine technology for practical use. According to daimlerchrysler.com, this bionic car features qualities similar to a fish -- with streamlined contours and outstanding aerodynamics. Biologists, bionics scientists and automotive researchers took the challenge of finding the ideal creature that suits their concept of a car transformed from nature to technology. Finally, they found all the qualities they’ve been looking for in Ostracion Cubicus better known as the boxfish -- agile and streamlined at first sight but is a good swimmer.

By finding homes in the coral reefs, lagoons and seaweeds of the tropical seas, the boxfish has developed good maneuverability -- great characteristics that is common with Daimler Chrysler’s ideal car.

The Mercedes-Benz bionic car, a four-seater compact car with two doors, windscreen, glass roof and a tailgate, 4.24 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 1.59 meters high. It also incorporates cameras as substitute for exterior mirrors and rear wheels covered with sheets of plastic flush-fitted door handles.

The bionic car is equipped with a 103 kW per 140 horsepower direct-injection diesel engine, consumes 4.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers and has a top speed of 190 kilometers per hour. Hopefully, it comes with high-quality oil filters as well though it promises about 80 percent lower nitrogen oxide emissions using its selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology.

Starting on February 24 up to May 12, this bionic car from Mercedes-Benz will be displayed in the “Design and Elastic Mind” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which honors and recognizes the powerful innovations and latest developments in science, research and design.

Indeed, by exploring the beauty of one's philosophy, anyone can turn simple things into amazing achievements.