It was first introduced in 2005 at the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington, D. C. The Bionic is modeled after the yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus,[1] and has 80% lower nitrogen oxide emissions with its selective catalytic reduction technology.

The exterior design was modeled after the yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus), a marine fish that lives in coral reefs.

Mercedes-Benz decided to model the Bionic after this fish due to the supposed low coefficient of drag of its body shape[3] and the rigidity of its exoskeleton; this influenced the car's unusual looks.

[4] However, in 2015, a paper in Journal of the Royal Society Interface claimed that "The drag-reduction performance of the two boxfish species studied was relatively low compared with more generalized body shapes of fish".

[5][6] Other parts of the design include the fact that the rear wheels are partially fitted with plastic and that it's considered as a lightweight vehicle.