Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new F 500 research vehicle which provides insights into the automotive technology of tomorrow.

Packaged as a modern four-door fastback saloon, the F 500 Mind mobile research lab showcases more than a dozen ideas for enhancing safety, drive technology and comfort.

The raft of innovations extends from a night-vision system with infra-red laser headlamps to two-way doors and a programmable multivision display in the cockpit.

Electronic accelerator and brake pedals, an interior pillar which provides structural rigidity and an ultrasound driver information system are further features being tested by Mercedes-Benz. The ultrasound technology targets the sound at the driver, so that only he or she can hear the information from the navigation system, the traffic news and other sound-based information sources, while the front passenger and rear passengers remain undisturbed.

In the dark or in poor visibility, the innovative night vision system projects its images onto the right-hand display. The night vision system consists of two infra-red laser headlights on the front of the vehicle which "illuminate" the road with their invisible light over a range of up to 150 metres, and a camera on the windscreen.

This allows the driver to spot hazards much earlier than in a vehicle operating on conventional dipped headlamps. Thus Night Vision offers further opportunities for making night driving safer.

DaimlerChrysler researchers will be using the vehicle to conduct the first practical tests of these systems and pave the way for their commercialisation.

A fascinating synthesis born of legend and innovation, the new SLR McLaren high-performance sports car will celebrate its Asian region debut in Tokyo. The modern-day incarnation of the legendary SLR racing sports cars from the Fifties features a supercharged V8 engine developing 626 horsepower.