Concept Cars

Meet the Vision Mercedes Simplex

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Sep 30, 2019, 8:54 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.

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Concept Cars

New Kia Futuron Concept has a 360-degree core

Kia has introduced a concept car that gives a hint at what future SUV design will look like.

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

Kia Motors is giving a hint of its future electric vehicle design with the debut of the Kia Futuron Concept, an all-wheel drive high-riding hatchback that they're calling a "sports car on an SUV platform."

The automaker choose the name of the vehicle because it's a portmanteau of the words future and on. They say that it will help give consumers an idea of what to expect from Kia in the future. Looking closely, it's likely that many hallmarks of this concept car will play out in future Niro designs and in a forthcoming subcompact SUV that is related to the Hyundai Venue.

Kia Futuron Concept side The high-riding coupe has sleek lines and a sophisticated overall aesthetic.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

With the design, Kia is emphasizing elegant proportions rather than funky characteristics like what you'll find in their Soul. Sweeping lines that flow from front to rear are common in modern concept vehicles and this is no exception. Kia's designers were drawn to the 360-degree styling because of its flowing shapes that easily move from the exterior to the interior, expanding and contracting.

The face of the car has a new interpretation of Kia's tiger nose grille, with a wide opening across the front of the car. That grille incorporates LED headlamps with a distinct light signature.

Kia has given the Futuron Concept an all-electric powertrain with all-wheel drive. It has a high-capacity battery (no exact numbers are available) and in-wheel electric motors.

Kia Futuron Concept top roof It features a panoramic glass roof.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The interior of the model features leaned back seats that allows for an "interactive driving experience suitable for urban city environments." The two front seats are made out of flexible materials that offer seating flexibility in the vein fo what first-class passengers would find on an airliner.

Its roof has diamond-shaped panoramic glass. Inside the greenhouse is a network of LiDAR sensors capable of Level 4 autonomous driving features.

Kia Futuron Concept seats Kia has given the SUV unique seating that is meant to provide first-class comfortability.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

Kia touts the car's seamless cockpit area that features the instrument cluster wrapped in harmony with the rest of the car's audio and visual displays and through the steering wheel.

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Concept Cars

This is the futuristic concept car Volkswagen is unveiling in a few weeks

This concept car will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

You've seen the ID Buzz and the ID Buggy. Volkswagen is about to show off another concept car. All will be revealed the week before Thanksgiving at the Los Angels Auto Show but they've set the stage revealing a few facts ahead of time.

The ID Space Vizzion is Volkswagen's take on a zero-emissions vehicle. The company says that it's built for "a new era, new thinking, and new mobility" and that "is a crossover of tomorrow". Still, it looks much like a traditional wagon.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion VW This car is destined for the U.S. market.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

"So far, with our ID. family, we have shown what is possible with electric vehicles in each known car category," said Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design. "With the ID Space Vizzion we create a new, fully electric segment."

Volkswagen is touting the concept's ability to combine the aerodynamics of a grand touring car with the spaciousness of an SUV. With a five-door-like visual profile, the ID Space Vizzion is a more realistic look at the future of Volkswagen than what the ID Buggy offered, giving the markets a tangible look at the future of the company, which has been touting its future electrified powertrains and new platforms for the last few years.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion VW The five-door style is likely to be more popular in Europe than in the U.S. when the car goes into production.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

The German automaker has built the car on its Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB). MEB is designed to allow for long driving ranges, dynamic performance, and digital networking.

VW has given the model 300 miles of range.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion VW The model seats four.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

Its completely digitalized cockpit consists of appointments that are made from sustainable raw materials including AppleSkin, a vegan alternative to leather.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion VW VW filled the interior of this model with sustainable raw materials.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

The ID Space Vizzion isn't just a concept. It's a look at a model that Volkswagen will mass produce, presumably under another name, in late 2021. It will make its way to North America, Europe, and China in different variations.

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