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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the concept coupe it announced yesterday. Called the Vision Iconic, it serves both as a showcase for new technologies and a tribute to the most notable models of the past. The Vision Iconic is equipped with an electric powertrain, powered by the body panels.
Unusually for an electric car, the concept features a very long hood with a minimal front overhang and a long, rounded rear. The designers intended the Vision Iconic’s body lines and silhouette to evoke the automotive aesthetics of the 1930s, while the massive vertical radiator grille is reminiscent of iconic Mercedes-Benz models. It is complemented by the classic three-pointed star on the hood: both the grille and the star are illuminated. Gorden Wagener, the brand’s chief designer, called the concept a sculpture in motion.
The Vision Iconic’s technical specifications are not disclosed, but it is an electric car, as its body panels are covered with photovoltaic modules. The developers envision these film-like modules generating virtually free electricity even when the electric car is turned off and parked. Under ideal conditions, a body covered in these modules could generate enough energy to travel 12,000 kilometers per year.
The concept’s chassis features steerable rear wheels to reduce the turning radius and a “drive-by-wire” steering system. The coupe is equipped with a Level 2 driver assistance system and can navigate city streets and park independently. In the future, the company plans to upgrade these cars to Level 4, allowing them to drive on highways without any human intervention. This will be achieved through a new, more efficient approach to data processing using artificial intelligence.
The Vision Iconic’s interior is trimmed with leather, velvet, and wood, with some surfaces inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The traditional dashboard has been replaced by a glass and metal structure called the “Zeppelin” (a name shared by some Maybach models in the 1930s). It is said to combine digital and analog functions, serving as both an instrument cluster and a display.
Source: Auto
