Mercedes-Benz has brought the essence of the Art Deco era into the future with the newly unveiled Vision Iconic Concept.
With its sculptural, black, flowing silhouette, it’s easy to associate the Vision Iconic with dark sci-fi vehicles. The standout feature, however, is the enormous radiator grille, which is a design element recently seen on the all-new electric GLC. This chrome grille draws inspiration from iconic 1960s models such as the W108, W111, and Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman. In a nod to the digital age, high-tech pixel graphics have been integrated into its surface, complemented by an illuminated standing star on the bonnet. Together with the slim, modern headlights, these details give the car a strikingly distinctive character. At the rear, there’s a subtle echo of the legendary 300 SL.
The deep black, high-gloss paint finish is more than visually captivating, incorporating solar modules within the body’s surface. Covering an area of 118 square feet (roughly the size of a mid-size SUV), the system can generate enough supplemental energy for up to 12,000 kilometres of driving per year, even when the vehicle is switched off.
Inside, the spacious, lounge-like cabin is perhaps the most opulent aspect of the concept and where the Art Deco influence shines brightest. It showcases exquisite craftsmanship and materials, featuring a “Zeppelin” floating glass structure set against a mother-of-pearl backdrop. Polished brass door handles in silver-gold tones, mother-of-pearl trim, and deep blue velvet upholstery adorn the interior, paired with a floating glass dashboard and a pillar-to-pillar display for maximum visual impact.
Naturally, advanced technologies are integrated too, including Level 4 automated driving and neuromorphic computing. This a system that mimics the human brain to better recognise traffic signs, lanes, and other road users, while cutting energy consumption for data processing in automated driving by up to 90 percent.
As with all Vision concepts, the Vision Iconic serves as a showcase of what Mercedes-Benz envisions for the coming years, rather than a production-ready model.
