Giga grille and 300SL in the mix
Mercedes-Benz is heading towards a future where new models can receive strong design influences from well-known historical models. This appears to be the signal Mercedes-Benz is sending with this Vision Iconic.
Mercedes-Benz uses various design styles. Just compare an EQE with an E-Class, or a GLB with a C-Class. There is hope on the horizon for those who, for whatever reason, are not charmed by Mercedes-Benz’s current designs. The brand is entering a new ‘iconic’ era, as it says itself. This bombastic Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic symbolizes what will be conceived at the drawing boards in the future.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic is a study model that, according to Mercedes-Benz, ‘is designed for the future’ and is infused with influences from past models. The apparently elongated vehicle has a gigantic ‘iconic’ grille – complete with Star above it – which Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener says was inspired by the W108, W111 and the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman. Mercedes-Benz is already applying such a grille to the brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology. An even more striking piece of the past can be seen at the rear of the Vision Iconic. The rear section strongly resembles that of the 300 SL. Special, right? The Mercedes stars return in the headlights, but for the signature of the taillights, the Germans have abandoned the stars. The basic shape of the car reminds us somewhat of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, although the brand says nothing about a connection with that show car.
The interior of the Vision Iconic is at least as striking as the exterior. Here too, Mercedes-Benz breaks with how it currently designs things. Hyper-analog, Mercedes-Benz calls it. This combines a classic style with the present time and even with the future. We see an extremely classic art-deco looking steering wheel and a transparent dashboard that appears to hang in straps called ‘the Zeppelin’. In the center of it, we observe four clocks. One of them has the shape of the Mercedes star and serves as a display for the digital AI assistant. Also interesting: just like in the rear, you sit in the front on a blue velvet-covered bench and not on a seat.
Mercedes-Benz does not share technical specifications about the Vision Iconic, although we do know that Mercedes-Benz envisions the car with an electric powertrain. In doing so, the Germans indicate that they are looking for a way to apply solar cells in the form of an ultra-thin layer over almost the entire body. Mercedes-Benz calculates that a surface area of 11 square meters – which would be comparable to the body surface area of a medium-sized SUV – could generate enough energy annually for 12,000 kilometers of range. The Vision Iconic can also drive autonomously at level 4.