Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps off the Vision Iconic concept, and it proves the brand can actually make its much-debated illuminated grille look genuinely upscale.
The rakish electric coupe draws inspiration from 1930s and 1940s Mercedes models, particularly the 1938 540K Autobahn Kurier, creating something Cruella de Vil would drive.
The massive grille uses chrome frame, smoked glass lattice, and contour lighting that looks gaudy on the new GLC but works beautifully here.
The pixelated design represents reinterpretation and homage to the brand’s historic radiator grilles, wearing the look far better than recent production models.
The elongated nose features an exaggerated version of the illuminated grille flanked by three-star motif headlights.
Vented side panels, sloping roofline, and minimalist taillights accentuate the rear shape influenced by the iconic 300SL.
The W108, W111, and 600 Pullman inspired the grille design, creating streamlined appearance similar to the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 prototype.
The interior design maintains its vintage style through a floating glass dash structure known as the Zeppelin by Mercedes and an elegant four-spoke steering wheel and an AI companion.
The bench seat receives its covering from blue velvet which replaces traditional chairs to form a luxurious lounge environment.
The floor displays blue straw marquetry through a 17th-century decorative technique, which gained popularity again during the 1920s.
The two-person cabin features an open design but does not have any digital touchscreens because analog controls and gauges occupy both sides of the dashboard.
The traditional design stands in direct opposition to the screen-based control systems. Modern Mercedes vehicles use these for their interior operation.
Mercedes doesn’t provide specific powertrain details beyond confirming electric architecture with steer-by-wire system. The concept features a solar-painted body that can generate energy from sunlight.
The company estimates that a photovoltaic active surface could produce power for up to 7,450 miles of range annually in ideal sunny conditions. The special paint also gives the coupe sinister appearance.
The Vision Iconic incorporates neuromorphic computing, an architecture designed to function like human brain enabling faster, more efficient AI calculations.
Mercedes says it could improve traffic sign recognition, identify other vehicles, and reduce energy requirements for automated driving.
Level 4 autonomy and automated parking capabilities allow occupants to relax during journeys, giving customers back time since the driver doesn’t worry about parking. The steer-by-wire system makes a vehicle this long safer to handle and easier to park.
The concept is currently just design study, but the grille will likely appear in various styles on future Mercedes models like the coming S-Class EV. Other design cues should influence the upcoming battery-powered lineup over the next few years.
We hope Vision Iconic becomes a production model, though a large electric coupe may lack mass appeal. Maybe a V8 would change that equation, though Mercedes’ electric push makes combustion option unlikely.
