It bears more than a passing resemblance to an old-fashioned carriage, but Mercedes-Benz claims this roadster could be the car of the future.

Built by 150 trainees, the car combines traditional design features with the latest technology. So while it has large spoke wheels that hark back to the first Benz Motor Car of 1886, it is powered by a hybrid drive system using an emission-free fuel cell.

It can reach a top speed of 15.5miles an hour and has a range of 220miles. The students from Daimler AG have worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster for a year. The project was created to train the junior employees in alternative drive systems.

They included carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and a distinctively styled fiberglass front section, inspired by Formula One racing cars.

The roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel.

'I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project,' Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig said.

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