At this year's gathering of
the most magnificent classic cars at Pebble Beach in California, Mercedes-Benz
is once again set to present a highlight: the
The glamorous cabriolet
reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extravagant way and
combines intelligent beauty with classic, aesthetic proportions and a reduced,
technoid appearance – a perfect embodiment of the design philosophy of Sensual
Purity.
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach
6 Cabriolet is designed as an electric car. The drive system has an output of
750 hp (550 kW). The shallow underfloor battery allows a range of over 200
miles (500 kilometers according to the NEDC).
"The Vision Mercedes-Maybach
6 Cabriolet takes modern luxury into the realms of the ultimate in luxury, and
is the perfect embodiment of our design strategy. Breathtaking proportions
combined with a luxurious "haute couture" interior help to create the
ultimate experience," explains Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of
Daimler AG.
Measuring almost 20 feet (6
meters) in length, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet incorporates the
classic proportions of art deco design with its extremely long hood and
puristic, flowing lines, and at the same time completely reinterprets these
aesthetic principles. The curved body boasts a sporty, stretched design which
is characterized by powerful structural elements in conjunction with the sharp
feature line. This side feature line defines the upper vehicle body, from the
radiator grille across the entire length of the vehicle through to the rear.
The strong contrast between
the dark blue paintwork in "nautical blue metallic" and the chrome
highlights increases the fascinating relationship between the clearly defined
areas with organically shaped fenders and the chrome trim elements, which sit
at the top on the edge of the fender as well as in the middle of the trunk lid,
where they also incorporate the vertical tail lamps. This benefits the
interpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille, which 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 newly designed 24-inch
light-alloy wheels feature a center lock. This is painted in rose gold and as
such reflects the color shade used on all electric vehicle studies from
Mercedes-Benz.
The extended, round
"boat tail" format of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet's rear
recalls a luxury yacht, and narrow tail lamps which emphasize the width of the
vehicle are integrated in its outer edges. Further distinctive features at the
rear include the diffuser with aluminum frame and the air outlets behind the
wheel arches.
The transition between the
vehicle rear, the area of the trunk lid and the interior boasts a flowing
design. Crystal white high-quality nappa leather creates an exciting contrast
to the dark paint finish. The custom-made fabric top with interwoven rose gold
threads has been perfectly coordinated with the look of the vehicle.
With the luxurious interior
of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates a new
synthesis of intelligence and emotion. At the same time, the designers have
combined the unique tradition of the brand with a previously unknown high-tech
experience.
The generous, flowing design
idiom brings exterior and interior together in a holistic design. The formal
flow of the areas from the rear into the interior gives rise to a typical yacht
feeling. A light wing flows in a curve across the door trim and the center
tunnel into the seat landscape, creating a 360° open-air luxury lounge.
The new "inside
out" spatial design adds a particularly special feature. The sitting
surface forms a horizontal plane, transitions into the vertical plane 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. Here, too, the interplay of the contrasts is both hot and cool. The
brand's hallmark authentic materials and colors are used, such as rose gold on
the trim elements, or the surfaces which come into contact with the skin,
featuring a lavish, quilted crystal white nappa leather finish. In this luxury
technique, familiar among other things from Chesterfield furniture, the leather
is put into folds in a diamond pattern and secured to the frame with buttons.
In the case of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet, this traditional seat
upholstery boasts a futuristic interpretation: each individual button of the
quilting depicts a delicate Mercedes star, backlit in blue. The open-pore wood
floor with inlaid aluminum underscores the lounge sensation and the connection
to yachting.
Above the 360° luxury
lounge, the display strip links doors, dashboard and the rear area. All display
elements are integrated into the continuous glass trim part. By way of
contrast, classic round dials, such as the instrument cluster, are positioned
prominently. The combination of digital displays with real needles is also
totally on trend. By using "hyperanalogue" elements, the designers
are responding to the need of people to experience analogue luxury in what is
an increasingly digital world. As a classic borrowing from aviation, three air
vents are positioned beneath the wing which appear to float like engines.
Another highlight comes
courtesy of the floating, transparent center tunnel, which visualizes the drive
system's electrical energy flow for the passengers by means of blue fiber
optics.
The main driving functions
as well as information relevant to the location (e.g. restaurant
recommendations or information on points of interest) are shown on the
windscreen via two head-up displays.
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach
6 Cabriolet is designed to anticipate the needs of its passengers and to
provide the required information and solutions in real time. The user
experience also combines ultimate luxury with intelligence. In addition to the
touch-only control and intelligent navigation linked to the appointment calendar,
another example is the Concierge function. It is possible to talk to the
concierge like talking to a friend, i.e. freely, without using predefined voice
commands. This enables full concentration of the tasks of driving.
The latest generation of
biometric sensors record the state of mind and health status of the passengers.
Emission-free
driving: electric drive system generating 750 hp (550 kW)
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 flat battery
sits in the underbody. The drive system has an output of 750 hp (550 kW). This
not only allows performance characteristics typical of a sports car
(acceleration from 0-60 mph in under four seconds, top speed electronically
governed at 155 mph) but also a range of over 200 miles (500 kilometers
according to the NEDC).
The quick-charge function is
also visionary: as a result of DC charging based on the CCS standard, the
system allows a charging capacity of up to 350 kW. In just five minutes enough
power can be charged to achieve an additional range of over 60 miles (100
kilometers).
The wow
effect: visionary show cars with long-term prospects
With its generous
dimensions, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet (length/width/height:
18.7/6.9/4.4 ft) continues the series of visionary design show cars from
Mercedes-Benz. So far these include the Vision EnerG-Force (Los Angeles,
November 2012), AMG Vision Gran Turismo (Sunnyvale, 2013), Vision Tokyo (Tokyo
2015) and Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupé (Pebble Beach 2016). Thanks to the
global nature of the Mercedes-Benz Design function, these concept vehicles take
cues from local trends in design, culture and mobility and make these the focal
point of the respective mobility concept. At the same time, these show cars are
looking far into the future.
Mercedes-Maybach:
perfection blends with exclusivity
Mercedes-Maybach stands for
the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality. The target group includes customers
who place value on exquisite luxury, perfect workmanship and exceptional
appointments. The latest vehicles include models launched in July 2017, namely
the Mercedes-Maybach S560 4MATIC, and the S650 Cabriolet, which blends the
perfection of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the exclusivity of Maybach.
Limited to 300 examples
worldwide, the Mercedes Maybach S-Class Cabriolet is the first open-top Maybach
for decades and a homage to open-top automotive refinement.
Compilled for The Auto Advisor Group
BRUCE HUBBARD
BRADLEY HUBBARD
BONNIE LYNCH
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