- New Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic revealed
- Electric show car that hints at future design
- Imposing chrome and smoked-glass front grille
- Inspired by the golden era of automotive design of the 1930s
- Lounge-like Art Deco interior
- Energy-capturing ‘Solar Paint’
- Level 4 autonomous driving
Cruella De Vil just got a new ride - because Mercedes-Benz has just thrown the sheets off its astonishing new Vision Iconic show car!
The Vision Iconic is a jaw-dropping new EV that takes its inspiration from the ‘golden era of automotive design of the 1930s’, according to Mercedes-Benz, and also pays homage to the legendary, gullwinged 300 SL from the 1950s.
It’s bristling with new tech and gets Level 4 automated driving, which means you can take a nap or catch up on your Netflix series while the Vision Iconic does all of the driving for you.
It’s unlikely to be produced but it could inform future Mercedes-Benz design.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic electric?
Yes, the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic is conceived to be fully-electric.
There are no details about the powertrain just yet but we do know that the Vision Iconic is coated with something called ‘Solar Paint’ - which is an innovation straight from the page of a sci-fi novel.
The ‘photovoltaic-active’ surface is capable of converting sunlight into electricity, channelling that energy into the car’s battery to top-up the available range.
Mercedes-Benz reckons that a surface area of around 11 square metres (equivalent to the surface of a mid-size SUV) could capture enough energy to see you travel up to 7,450 miles per year, under ideal conditions.
The solar cells have a high efficiency of 20 percent and generate energy continuously – even when the vehicle is switched off.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic inspired by the 1930s?
The design is heavily influenced by automotive design from the 1930s, with Mercedes-Benz also referencing past models like the W 108, W 111, and the 600 Pullman from the 50s and 60s.
The design element you’ll struggle to miss is that massive upright front grille, which is awash with chrome and smoked glass and which is also illuminated.
Mercedes says it’s an evolution of the similarly-imposing front grille of the new electric GLC that was launched earlier this year.
What’s special about the interior of the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic?
Mercedes says the Vision Iconic ‘redefines automotive elegance through an opulent Art Deco-inspired composition of finest craftsmanship and exclusive materials’.
There’s a floating glass structure, called the ‘Zeppelin’, in the centre of the instrument panel that’s inspired by high-end watches and clocks.
There are mother-of-pearl flourishes throughout the cabin, as well as polished brass door handles and blue velvet upholstery.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic fully autonomous?
While Level 4 autonomous driving - where the car can operate on its own without human input, as long as it’s in a pre-mapped city or geofenced zone - isn’t currently legal in the UK, Mercedes-Benz says the Vision Iconic is prepared for it when the legislation allows.
A spokesperson says: “After entering the freeway and activating the Level 4 system, the driver could use the time to relax without having to deal with traffic at all. It would be also possible and permissible to take a nap or get comfortable while streaming the latest trending video including an immersive sound and ambient light experience. The car becomes a luxurious lounge.”
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