Mercedes Dials Up the Retro

I will confess, I got a huge wave of deja vu upon seeing the striking new Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic concept--specifically, the equally dramatic Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 (see comparison, below) from (surprisingly) nine years ago. A little research revealed that the older concept is over two feet longer than the newer one, making the latter slightly more production-intent (although, of course, Mercedes hasn’t committed to anything yet).With the reintroduction of the 1960s-era Mercedes-Benz grille on the new electric GLC, it’s only logical that Mercedes would want to showcase it (with a smoked-glass lattice structure and integrated contour lighting) on something even more upmarket. And, like any Mercedes-Benz ‘vision’ concept, the Iconic is peppered with all sorts of interesting features and tech...

🔸 Photovoltaic paint (recyclable and devoid of any rare earths or silicon) essentially acts as a full-body solar panel (but looks much nicer)

🔸 “Hyper-analog” art deco-inspired interior with blue velvet upholstery and mother-of-pearl trim

🔸 Straw marquetry instead of carpeting (or wood) on the floor and polished brass door handles

🔸 Central “zeppelin” glass structure acts as the dashboard, showcasing chronograph-inspired gauges

🔸 “Neuromorphic computing*” is intended to mimic the function of the human brain for faster and more energy-efficient AI calculations

Is a production version of this concept likely? Probably not. But it does give some indication as to what the designers and engineers are playing around with from a materials and technology standpoint, so perhaps an idea or two here might make its way into a future Mercedes.

#mercedes #maybach #concept #iconic #retro #artdeco

*Bonus geek section: Any of you readers who remember Star Trek: Voyager will recall the starships bioneural gel packs, which were intended to run faster and more efficiently than the “traditional” isolinear circuitry of the 24th century. So, yes, just like flip phones and data disks, Star Trek tech is creeping into our lives... ;)