The striking Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic concept automobile has been unveiled because the German luxury automaker heads into what it boldly describes as “a brand new era of iconic design” following a series of self-described boring vehicles.
The Vision Iconic show automobile packages a wild, Art-deco design theme with electric vehicle (EV) technology, in addition to solar-power cells and artificial intelligence (AI) designed to duplicate thought patterns of the human brain.
The gothic-like show automobile’s striking chromed radiator grille was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz W108 (1965-1972), W111 (1959-1971) and W100 Pullman 600 (1963-1981) – and its design language was first seen on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC mid-size SUV ultimately month’s Munich motor show.
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At the identical event, the 2026 C-Class EV was teased in a picture showing the identical grille on the front and centre of its exterior design.
An illuminated three-pointed star logo sits atop the animated chromed grille, which Mercedes-Benz says demonstrates the importance of sunshine in new-vehicle design, and these are flanked by slim headlights and contrasted by gloss black paintwork.
“Our Vision Iconic is greater than just an automobile – it’s a sculpture in motion, a homage to timeless elegance, and a press release for the long run,” said Mercedes-Benz design boss, Gorden Wagener, in a press release.
“The symbiosis of traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, and an unmistakable design language makes it the final word expression of value, prestige, and charm: essentially the most beautiful, most prestigious sort of thing.”
Mr Wagener recently criticised efforts throughout the company to design vehicles using AI, which he said was “one per cent interesting” and becomes “really annoying”.
The design chief also criticised Audi – owned by his former employer, the Volkswagen Group – and, without directly saying so, also showed dismay at BMW cabin design, saying he was a fan of ‘hyper-analogue’ interior design as a substitute of all-button or touchscreen-only layouts.
This ‘hyper-analogue’ approach is seen contained in the Vision Iconic show automobile, with an Art-Deco inspired ‘floating Zepplin’ centre glass screen designed to permit “interplay of analogue and digital instruments”.
The pillar-to-pillar screen – like BMW’s massive curved digital display – contrasts against ‘analogue’ items corresponding to brass door handles, plush blue velvet seat upholstery, and details created using a handcrafted ‘straw marquetry’ technique popular within the Twenties.
Despite its retro theme, the concept also has solar modules which Mercedes-Benz says may be “seamlessly” applied to the surface of EVs to deliver additional driving range and power.
Tech includes Level 2 point-to-point autonomous driving capability. Despite headlines from other automakers, Mercedes-Benz was the primary company to realize legal approval to check Level 3 autonomous vehicles on public roads within the US in 2023.
Mercedes-Benz says the Vision Iconic’s ‘Neuromorphic’ computing mimics human brain function to enhance its autonomous capability, which it says could help AI make decisions faster, corresponding to reading road signs, while using less energy.
It also boasts ‘steer by wire’, with steering wheel that’s not physically connected to the wheels, which Mercedes-Benz says reduces the quantity of force needed to grip the wheel, while also enabling more flexibility in cockpit layout.
In addition to the concept, Mercedes-Benz also announced a capsule fashion collection of six outfits for men and girls, in addition to a brand new book on the philosophy of the German brand’s latest design language.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
