Concept Cars

Meet the Vision Mercedes Simplex

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Sep 30, 2019, 9:54 am

The Vision Mercedes Simplex is a fresh take on old meets new.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

To cross the road, you should first look one way then the other. A glance tells you what is coming and what has passed by. That same idea is what has inspired the Vision Mercedes Simplex, a concept vehicle and sculpture by Mercedes-Benz.

"Only a brand that is as strong as Mercedes-Benz is capable of the physical symbiosis of history and future. The 'Vision Mercedes Simplex' symbolizes the transformation of the brand-specific luxury of Mercedes-Benz", said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz.

Vision Mercedes Simplex tire axle The new concept car plays on old themes, reminding the audience of the company's automotive heritage.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The Simplex, as Mercedes refers to it, redefines the historic look of a car for the modern era. It's a two-seater with freestanding wheels. Designers point to the vertical color separation between the white front section and the black rear section to show the historic side of the vehicle while transparent rims and sleek aerodynamic attributes are from the modern playbook.

At the vehicle's front is a rose gold radiator frame, which pays homage to the bronze radiator rings of years past. Inside the ring is a digital display of the classic Mercedes script.

Vision Mercedes Simplex buttons Sleek, simple controls are apparent on the dash.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

There is no windscreen, nor any doors. There are simple switches in the cabin area, where focus is nearly purely on the wheel, so the driver can theoretically focus exclusively on the road ahead. Remember those days? Driving in its purest expression.

Vision Mercedes Simplex steering wheel The model took design influence from yachts.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The car's steering wheel was based on nautical and racing design. Finishes are emblematic of those lifestyles with contrasting colors, soothing color schemes, and high-end finishes. The car's bench seat features hand-made Chesterfield quilting. Its azure blue is inspired by the colors of the Côte d'Azur.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web

Trending News

 
 

EV Charging

Mercedes-Benz EQS owners to get free charging

EQS buyers will have access to two years of free charging.

Electrify America

The Mercedes-Benz EQSis set to start hitting dealers' lots in just a few months, and the automaker is working drum up excitement for the all-new EV. Today, Electrify America announced that it will partner with Mercedes to offer charging services to buyers of the upcoming vehicle.

The agreement means that EQS owners will have two years of free charging, which includes 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America locations. The services go a step further, however, and will include the ability to plug and charge. This means that EQS owners who have activated their Mercedes me Charge accounts can start a free charging session just by plugging the vehicle into the charger. Electrify America says that no authentication or initiation steps will be required.


2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS The EQS is due to hit the market in late 2021.Mercedes-Benz


The agreement between Mercedes-Benz and Electrify America will also extend some services to future EQ battery-electric vehicles, as well as future Mercedes plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company notes that there may be costs to charge for those vehicles, but drivers will still be able to use the Mercedes me app to initiate sessions.

As more automakers jump in the EV game, free charging partnerships are becoming a bigger deal. Just last month, Hyundai announced that buyers of its Ioniq 5 EV will receive two years of free charging from Electrify America, and Ford offered free charging to its Mustang Mach-E customers, also through Electrify America, though The Blue Oval's offer only extended to 250 kilowatt-hours.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS The partnership with Electrify America will provide access to chargers across the country.Mercedes-Benz


The EQS itself is Mercedes' first vehicle in what will become an electric sub-brand for the automaker. It will hit the market as a 2022 model late in 2021, and will be offered in two models. The entry level machine features 329 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the up-level EQS 580 4Matic will see 516 horsepower and 611 pound-feet of torque. Beyond its electric powertrain, the EQS will offer several advanced tech features, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 17.7-inch touchscreen. Even the passenger gets a display in the new car, as a second 12.3-inch screen will be positioned on the right portion of the dash.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News

 
 

New Car

2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan brings its V12 to the U.S. early next year

The 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan goes on sale in 2022

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup, the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan will make its way to U.S. shores in early 2022, bringing with it 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.

Distinct features set this Mercedes-Maybach apart from others including a Maybach-exclusive front bumper, engine hood trim strip, illuminated seamless door handles, and stainless steel illuminated panels. Buyers can request a two-tone paint job from their choice of 10 different color combinations.

The flagship model's power plant is a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine that gets it from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The all-wheel drive sedan is able to deliver up to 31 percent of its toque to the front axle and 69 percent to the rear. Mercedes touts the car's rear-axle steering, which makes the model easy to drive on city streets. A special “Maybach" dynamic selects drive mode comes standard on the car.

2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan The car has an available panoramic sunroof.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes has fine-tuned the car to include active road noise compensation that the automaker refers to as headphones with noise suppression. The automaker says that the technology works like headphone systems with noise suppression tech by using counter-phased sound waves to balance out exterior sound waves. The technology is deployed via the car's Burmeister High-End 4D Surround Sound System.

The inside of the car also gets Nappa Leather upholstery and finishes including on the headliner, dashboard, instrument panel surrounds, armrests, glovebox, window frames, pillars, sun visors, backrest pockets, and door sill panel inserts. The rear seats feature diamond quilting, contrast piping, and the Mercedes-Maybach emblem. There's also wood trim, a Maybach pedal cluster, and Maybach-specific scent.

Owners can use the electronically-powered comfort doors at the rear, which can be controlled via a button or hand gesture. The same goes for the power sliding panoramic sunroof.

2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan The 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4Matic Sedan's interior is luxe.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Adaptive rear lighting in the back seat of the car changes the LED spotlights' position and size. This allows for everything from reading lights to lounge-style lighting.

Two 11.6-inch high-resolution entertainment screens sit in behind the front seats. Between the rear seats are available silver-plated champagne flutes and a refrigerated compartment. Two matching holders in the center console hold the flutes in place when the car is on the move.

Mercedes has installed new rear seat airbags are designed to deploy in a gentle manner when needed.

Trending News