Is it just us, or is there something more than a little familiar about the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic, the German car maker’s latest concept that’s designed to honour the car maker’s past while looking to the future?
The car’s exaggerated proportions including the bluff grille, ultra-long bonnet and dramatically swept back cabin remind us just a little of Jaguar’s recent ill-fated Type 00 concept.
In fairness to Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener and his team, the Vision Iconic is far more artfully detailed than the controversial Jaguar, and it also doesn’t purport to the shape of all things Mercedes-Benz going forward.
Instead, Benz says its new show car embodies the freedom to think beyond convention, and as a creative impulse that builds a bridge between past and future.
Central to the new design exercise is a reinterpretation of one of the most recognisable elements in automotive history: the iconic Mercedes-Benz radiator grille.
The front-end is dominated and defined by the striking traditional chrome grille, which is described as “bold, upright and proud” and which draws inspiration from legendary models such as the W108, W111 and the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman.
Featuring a wide chromed frame, smoked-glass lattice structure and integrated contour lighting, the grille merges heritage with digital modernity, even illuminating the upright star on the bonnet.
It certainly radiates presence, status and a strong sense of Mercedes-Benz identity, with the distinctive front design enhanced by slim, modern headlights infused with the latest lighting technology.
The deep black high-gloss solar paint finish emphasises the sculptural exterior design of the show car, while also contributing to Mercedes-Benz’s research around photovoltaic-active surfaces.
The carmaker is researching how innovative solar modules can be applied to the bodywork of electric vehicles like a wafer-thin paste. When applied to the entire vehicle surface the photovoltaic-active surface allows additional range to be harnessed from the sun.
Benz reckons an area of 11 square metres (equivalent to the surface of a mid-size SUV) could produce energy for up to 12,000km a year under ideal conditions, with the solar cells generating energy continuously – even when the vehicle is switched off.
The interior of Vision Iconic is an opulent Art Deco-inspired design featuring fine craftsmanship and exclusive materials. The centrepiece of the instrument panel is a floating glass structure dubbed the “Zeppelin”, which incorporates artfully designed details and a combination of analogue and digital instruments.
Behind the Zeppelin, a decorative surface showcases a lustrous mother-of-pearl marquetry, which also graces the door panels, encircling polished brass door handles.
As the door is opened, the instrument cluster comes to life with a cinematic, analogue animation inspired by high-end chronograph watches. A pillar-to-pillar screen concept blends technology seamlessly into the interior, with one of the four clocks also acting as an AI companion. (Editor’s note: No excuses for being late, then!)
The front bench seat is a return to the glory days of three up front, with driver and passengers able to share the spacious, sumptuously upholstered perch, clad in deep blue velvet.
In front of the driver sits a classic four-spoke steering wheel with the Mercedes-Benz logo floating inside a glass sphere.
The vehicle floor is clad in elaborate straw marquetry, a luxurious decorative technique dating back to the 17th century and revived in the 1920s. Rendered in a classic fan-shaped Art Deco motif, Benz says this handcrafted finish brings historic artistry into the modern era.
Other technology highlights of the Vision Iconic include Neuromorphic computing which mimics the functioning of the human brain to make AI calculations significantly faster and more energy-efficient.
The show car also offers Level 2 autonomous driving capability, with so-called “cooperative steering and acceleration” that allows the vehicle to navigate complex urban traffic scenarios, provided the driver is alert and ready to take control.
The combination of steer-by-wire and rear-axle steering help compensate for the car’s exaggerated length, improving handling and making manoeuvring and parking easier.
There’s no mention of powertrain in Benz’s official spiel on its latest show car, but we’re tipping its fully electric, despite having enough real estate to fit a V16.
