The hanging Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient Iconic idea automotive has been unveiled because the German luxurious automaker heads into what it boldly describes as “a brand new period of iconic design” following a collection of self-described boring automobiles.
The Imaginative and prescient Iconic present automotive packages a wild, Artwork-deco design theme with electrical automobile (EV) know-how, in addition to solar-power cells and synthetic intelligence (AI) designed to copy thought patterns of the human mind.
The gothic-like present automotive’s hanging chromed radiator grille was impressed 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 finally month’s Munich motor present.
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On the similar occasion, the 2026 C-Class EV was teased in a picture exhibiting the identical grille on the entrance and centre of its exterior design.
An illuminated three-pointed star emblem sits atop the animated chromed grille, which Mercedes-Benz says demonstrates the significance of sunshine in new-vehicle design, and these are flanked by slim headlights and contrasted by gloss black paintwork.
“Our Imaginative and prescient Iconic is extra than simply an car – it’s a sculpture in movement, a homage to timeless magnificence, and an announcement for the longer term,” stated Mercedes-Benz design boss, Gorden Wagener, in an announcement.
“The symbiosis of conventional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art know-how, and an unmistakable design language makes it the last word expression of worth, status, and charm: probably the most stunning, most prestigious type of factor.”
Mr Wagener just lately criticised efforts inside the firm to design automobiles utilizing AI, which he stated was “one per cent attention-grabbing” and turns into “actually annoying”.
The design chief additionally criticised Audi – owned by his former employer, the Volkswagen Group – and, with out instantly saying so, additionally confirmed dismay at BMW cabin design, saying he was a fan of ‘hyper-analogue’ inside design as a substitute of all-button or touchscreen-only layouts.
This ‘hyper-analogue’ strategy is seen contained in the Imaginative and prescient Iconic present automotive, with an Artwork-Deco impressed ‘floating Zepplin’ centre glass display designed to permit “interaction of analogue and digital devices”.
The pillar-to-pillar display – like BMW’s huge curved digital show – contrasts in opposition to ‘analogue’ objects equivalent to brass door handles, plush blue velvet seat upholstery, and particulars created utilizing a handcrafted ‘straw marquetry’ approach standard within the Nineteen Twenties.
Regardless of its retro theme, the idea additionally has photo voltaic modules which Mercedes-Benz says could be “seamlessly” utilized to the floor of EVs to ship extra driving vary and energy.
Tech consists of Degree 2 point-to-point autonomous driving functionality. Regardless of headlines from different automakers, Mercedes-Benz was the primary firm to achieve authorized approval to check Degree 3 autonomous automobiles on public roads within the US in 2023.
Mercedes-Benz says the Imaginative and prescient Iconic’s ‘Neuromorphic’ computing mimics human mind operate to enhance its autonomous functionality, which it says may assist AI make selections sooner, equivalent to studying street indicators, whereas utilizing much less vitality.
It additionally boasts ‘steer by wire’, with steering wheel that’s not bodily related to the wheels, which Mercedes-Benz says reduces the quantity of drive wanted to grip the wheel, whereas additionally enabling extra flexibility in cockpit structure.
In addition to the idea, Mercedes-Benz additionally introduced a capsule vogue assortment of six outfits for women and men, in addition to a brand new e book on the philosophy of the German model’s newest design language.
The brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC is the primary mannequin to put on the Stuttgart-based firm’s new ‘Iconic’ design theme, and was unveiled in Munich alongside its arch-enemy, the brand new BMW iX3 – the primary of the Munich automaker’s forthcoming ‘Neue Klasse’ fashions.
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