The long-advertised B-Class F-Cell Mercedes is finally going to production. The first 200 cars will be assembled by spring 2010 and split between European and American customers. If the sale goes well, Mercedes-Benz will start mass production of the fuel cell vehicles a little later.

In 2004 the German manufacturer has already presented a fuel cell car, but at that time it was an A-Class model. The current B-Class is smaller, but it “develops 30 percent more power while consuming 30 percent less fuel” according to the company’s officials. It runs on a compact fuel cell stack, a lithium-ion battery, three 700-bar tanks of hydrogen and a lightweight 136-horsepower drive motor. All of these components are situated in the so called “sandwich floor” under the vehicle’s body. This makes the vehicle smaller and gives more room in the cabin of the car. The electric drive components let the B-Class car run a range of 400 kilometers or 248 miles.

The Mercedes representatives also say the car will have silver exterior paint, 10-spoke light-alloy wheels and leather interior. Nothing is said about the price yet: the company thinks it is “too early to discuss the matter”.