Mercedes: Concept of reality

The Mercedes CLS600 introduced fictitious concepts that were later put into production cars. Photo / Supplie

Concept cars are often rolling test beds, and frequently never intended for production - though some of the technology they feature is likely to appear.

Some concepts inadvertently win a life of their own. Merc's F200 "Imagination" concept at the 1996 motor show is one of these.

Powered by a 6.0-litre V12 driving the rear wheels, it has achieved internet immortality as the "new" CLS600, with images often accompanied by text ridiculing the concept.

The mockery is prompted by the central joystick that replaced the steering wheel, throttle and brake, and could be used by either front passenger.

That little innovation remains a work of fiction. But many features which seemed far-fetched at the time have since been fitted to production cars.

For example, the F200's voice recognition for the mobile phone featured in the 1996 S-class. The window airbag had its production launch in the 1998 E-class, and the headlight system as active bi-xenons in the following E generation. Active body control was fitted to the 1999 CL, and the electro transparent roof that darkens at the push of a button to the 2002 Maybach 62, with the gullwing doors featuring in 2003's SLR McLaren.

Will the joystick make an appearance one day? Mercedes isn't saying. Its system used drive-by-wire. When pushed forward the car accelerated, moved to right or left it turned, and pulled backwards, it braked or reversed. Mercedes acknowledged using a joystick meant the driver had to think differently, but it also improved cabin space and safety. A joystick allowed quicker responses and means there's less to impact in a crash.

Other innovations? We don't yet have cameras in place of rear view mirrors, though reversing cameras are now common.

Concepts don't always survive. Yet Mercedes' F200 lives on, and not only as a continuously circulating "believe it or not" email. The concept is on display at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart.