Feature: Mercedes-Benz F700 Concept on track

Let's make it clear. This car will not go into production - at least, not exactly as it is. Much of its styling cues, and indeed, its technology, will influence the next-generation S-Class and other upcoming large Mercs, but the F700 is very much a conceptual prototype at this stage.

So sadly, this is a story of unrequited love. Pictures fail to do the F700 justice - from every angle, it's beautiful. The sculpted front end and the flowing, liquid lines emphasise artistry, rather than automotive convention.

Inside, the drama continues. Rear seats are split and they can be configured so one faces the front, and the other faces the back, but it can be adjusted to the traditional setting where both passengers face forward. We tried it with the rear seats in the unconventional setting and that kind of makes sense: the passengers can converse without craning their heads, but this has a musical-chairs mentality to it, with the loser getting the seat that faces rearwards. Chief designer Chris Rhoades agrees: 'Yes, I have problems with that too - I like to face the front, but it's still an interesting set-up.'

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