- Retro-futuristic exterior design with Art Deco inspiration and large illuminated grille.
- Photovoltaic solar paint with 20% efficiency that can add annual autonomy.
- "Hyper-analog" interior: blue velvet bench, glass top, and craftsmanship.
- Steer-by-wire and advanced assistance with a view to Level 4 and automated parking.
With the Vision Iconic, Mercedes-Benz proposes a style exercise that looks to its heritage to anticipate its futureIt's a large two-door coupé that revives classic proportions and period details, while integrating cutting-edge lighting and sensor solutions.
The brand presents it as a sample of where its design language and technology can evolve: illuminated grille, star on the hood with light and a body finished in piano black which reinforces the sculptural presence are part of the repertoire.
Exterior design and Art Deco inspiration
The silhouette combines a very long hood with marked wheel arches and clean surfaces, a nod to icons of the house such as the W108, W111 or the 600 Pullman, and even the 540K Autobahn-Kurier. The headlights are very slim, and the light signature incorporates the star, while the high-gloss black accentuates the Art Deco feel.
The front is dominated by a large, reinterpreted grille: chrome frame, smoked lattice and perimeter backlighting which create a three-dimensional effect. The classic upright star also lights up and can perform animations depending on the driving mode or the environment.
The side features aerodynamically optimized wheels and a smooth profile that leads into a minimalist boat-tail style rear end. Very thin double rear light on a simple bumper and a contained trunk lid evoke the spirit of the 300 SL without falling into pure retro.
Beyond the visual impact, the execution is based on robust materials: chrome-plated metal frame and reinforced glass panels with integrated LEDs on the grille. Lighting isn't just for show: it emphasizes the emblem's identity and improves its visibility after dark.
Interior, materials and technological staging
Inside, the approach is “hyperanalog”: a salon in progress that mixes craftsmanship and discreet digitalization. Highlights a bench for two in blue velvet, pearlescent marquetry and polished brass details surrounding silver and gold-toned handles with star motifs.
The main painting is a floating glass block nicknamed “Zeppelin”, with analog animations inspired by watchmakingIn the center, a star-shaped clock acts as a smart assistant, while the four-spoke steering wheel houses the emblem within a jewel-like glass sphere.
The floor uses fan-shaped straw marquetry, a technique revived from the 20s and reinterpreted with modern criteria. craftsmanship brings texture and warmth to an interior that avoids screen saturation without giving up technology.
The bodywork introduces a key novelty: a photovoltaic solar paint Applied as an ultra-fine paste, it converts the surface into an energy generator. Mercedes claims a 20% efficiency, continuous generation even at rest, absence of rare earths, and easy recycling; under ideal conditions, an 11 m² area could add up to 12.000 km of autonomy per year, depending on location and climate. To compare costs and range, see the Price of the standard Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
In terms of dynamics, the Vision Iconic incorporates “steer-by-wire” steering (without direct mechanical connection) and proposes the combination with rear steering for improved maneuverabilityIn driver assistance, it is currently equivalent to Level 2 functions, but the system is designed to evolve towards Level 4: On the highway, it would allow you to delegate driving, relax, and even let the car park itself completely automatically.
Another front in which the brand is investigating is the neuromorphic computing, an architecture that seeks to process data with lower energy consumption (potentially up to a 90% less than current systems) replicating artificial neural networks. The objective: enable advanced features without penalizing efficiency.
Like any prototype, its arrival as is on the road is not confirmed. Mercedes does anticipate that design and technology elements —like the illuminated grille already seen on the electric GLC—will set the course for its next models, maintaining the balance between tradition and avant-garde.
Vision Iconic works as a letter of intent: Art Deco aesthetics, hyper-analog lounge, and solutions such as solar paint They combine with high-level driving aids and a characteristic lighting display to draw what the brand's electric luxury could look like in the coming years.
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