Mercedes-Benz, already amongst the ranks of car makers who foresee an electric future, rolled out a new, super luxury concept under the Maybach label. Unveiled last week at the Pebbles Beach Concours D'Elegance, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a 2+2 seater, luxury-class coupe that is meant to be a homage to the age of aero coupes.

Meant to be a technology showcase with an emphasis on being a mix of the classic and the modern, the concept, according to Mercedes-Benz designers is "something unexpectedly new - cool, technoid and reduced". The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which measures almost 6 metres in length, is an electric luxury car. Mercedes says that the classic aesthetic proportions of the show car – the extremely long bonnet, the low roof line and the rearward positioning of the greenhouse – recall the aero coupés of days gone by. But this is not retro design – "this is a reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles", claim Merc designers. With its impressive dimensions, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is the first luxury coupé in the series of visionary design show cars from Mercedes-Benz.

Exterior design

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 centre of the bonnet and boot lid. It also features a reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille with its fine, vertical struts was supposedly inspired by a pinstriped suit.

The distinctive 24-inch wheels are a development of the aero rim from the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile). Visual drama and flair is provided by the gullwing doors, a trademark Mercedes design element. The door design and finish has been brought up to date, underlining the sporty character of the vehicle's silhouette, and feature innovatively designed aluminium trim. The exterior mirrors designed as cameras are supported on the wings.

A Mercedes release said that the extended, round "boat tail" format of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6's rear recalls a luxury yacht, and narrow tail lights emphasise the width of the vehicle. Further distinctive features at the rear include the diffuser with aluminium frame and the air outlets behind the wheel arches.

360-degree lounge

The interior of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 combines traditional Mercedes-Benz values with a new high-tech experience, the release says. The dashboard wing curves across the door trim into the seat landscape, creating the feel of a 360° lounge. In addition to the flowing contours, the material composition produces a luxury experience. Authentic materials and colours such as rose gold have been used to create luxurious accents. The interior, with its high-quality leather trim, has a cool colour 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. In the front luggage area of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a set of two suitcases, exclusively created for the vehicle.

Analogue and digital

Mercedes designers have attempted a play between the classic and modern for the interior too with sustainable analogue solutions. In the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 this can be seen above all in the "hyperanalogue" instruments with needles and circular, crystal-look displays. The classic circular instruments are combined with deep displays and act as a reference to the unique history of Mercedes-Benz. In contrast, other display elements are digitally integrated into a continuous glass trim part. Information about the seat, for example, can be shown on this digital strip. Map information is also shown in the front area of the strip. Menu content is extended along a digital line which extends to the sides as far as the occupants, who can set their own content ergonomically using touch control.

The luxury padded leather upholstery's 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 can be activated or the seat settings adjusted to the passenger. The sensors embedded in the upholstery also record the incidence of light, the colour of the occupant's clothing and the ambient temperature. This information can be used to trigger new, emotional lighting effects in the interior. In the concept car the driver can also switch to digital/autonomous mode. Another highlight is offered by the floating, transparent centre tunnel, which visualises the drive system's electrical energy flow for the occupants.

Emission-free driving

The side sills, illuminated by LED light strips, clearly underline the fact that the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is designed as an electric car. Thanks to its four compact permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, it features all-wheel drive.

The output of the drive system is 550 kW (750 hp). The battery is located in the shallow underfloor of the car and has a usable capacity of approximately 80 kWh. This not only allows performance characteristics typical of a sports car (acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in under four seconds. Top speed electronically governed at 250 kmph) but also a range of over 500 kms according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA).

As a result of DC charging based on the CCS standard, the system allows an impressive charging capacity of up to 350 kW. In just five minutes enough power can be charged for an additional range of around 100 kms.

The battery can either be charged via a cable connection at a public charging station or a conventional domestic outlet. It can also be charged wirelessly, via an electromagnetic field.

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