Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 was showcased at the Pebble Beach in California earlier this month amidst a gathering of magnificent classic cars – the perfect place to premiere the sensational luxury coupe. The 2+2‑seater concept car pays homage to the glorious age of the aero coupés and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future.
The coupé reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extreme way, following the Mercedes design philosophy of sensual purity. The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which measures almost six meters in length, is designed as an electric car. The drive system has an output of 550 kW (750 hp). The shallow under floor battery allows a range of over 500 kilometers according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA).
With its sensual, emotional design and intelligent details, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 represents the ultimate in luxury. The classic aesthetic proportions of the show car Рthe extremely long bonnet, the low roof line and the rearward positioning of the greenhouse Рrecall the aero coup̩s of days gone by. But this is not retro design Рthis is a reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles. At the same time the design is something unexpectedly new and exemplified by the aerodynamically intelligent basic shape. Even without aids such as spoilers, the airflow hugs the contours of the vehicle body and only breaks away very late at the tail end of the vehicle.
Clearly defined contours and organically formed wings stand in contrast to the sharply drawn, extended feature line on each side which defines the upper vehicle body from the radiator grille across the entire length of the vehicle to the rear. Below this, the main body has a bulging, muscular look, extending across the entire flank. There is also a striking contrast between the Maybach red paintwork and the chrome strips which sit above the wheel arches and in the center of the bonnet and boot lid.
A reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille with its fine, vertical struts accentuates the front end. The grille was inspired by a pinstriped suit. The radiator grille rests on two aerodynamically shaped supports on the outer right and left of the bumper. The distinctive 24-inch wheels are a development of the aero rim from the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile). A transparent shield in the vehicle color provides a view of the aluminum spokes behind it. A further highlight is provided by the gullwing doors, a hallmark Mercedes design element which has been brought up to date. They underline the sporty character of the vehicle’s silhouette and feature modern aluminum trim. The exterior mirrors designed as cameras are supported on the wings.
The dashboard wing curves across the door trim into the seat landscape, creating a 360° lounge. The new inside out spatial design adds a particular touch of finesse. The sitting surface forms a horizontal, which transitions into the vertical of the doors and finally becomes the underside of the dashboard wing. In addition to the flowing contours, the material composition produces a luxury experience of the highest order. Authentic materials and colors such as rose gold are used to create luxurious accents. The interior, with its high-quality leather trim, has a cool color scheme which perfectly underlines the digital innovations.
The sitting surfaces have a Chesterfield look. In the doors and dashboard the traditional wood trim softens the appearance of the digital control and display interfaces. As a contrast to the digital world of the displays, elm is used in the floor area, creating a refined yachting look. Elm is the palest open-pore wood which Mercedes-Benz is currently working on for series use.
The luxury padded leather upholstery is a particular highlight. Its traditional look is combined with future technology here – the buttons which would normally be trimmed in leather have been replaced in the upholstered surfaces by miniature body sensor displays. These scan the passengers and monitor, for example, their vital functions. As a result, comfort features such as seat climate or the massage function, for example, can be activated or the seat settings adjusted to the passenger. The sensors embedded in the upholstery also record the incidence of light, the color of the occupant’s clothing and the ambient temperature. This information can be used to trigger new, emotional lighting effects in the interior.
