Vision Iconic show car reinterprets classic grille for the electric era

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Vision Iconic, a new show car that represents the company’s evolving approach to vehicle design and technology. The vehicle reinterprets one of the brand’s most recognizable features — the radiator grille — and incorporates advanced technologies such as solar paint, neuromorphic computing, steer-by-wire, and Level 4 automated driving capabilities.

The Vision Iconic’s exterior design emphasizes the grille, which draws from the styling of historic Mercedes-Benz models, including the W 108, W 111, and 600 Pullman. The updated grille combines a chrome frame with a smoked-glass lattice structure and contour lighting. The illuminated Mercedes-Benz star on the hood and animated light elements are intended to integrate lighting into the design language. Slim headlights and a high-gloss black exterior finish further define the exterior appearance.

The interior is designed to reflect both traditional craftsmanship and new approaches to vehicle interiors in an automated driving era. It features a lounge-style layout with a continuous bench seat upholstered in deep blue velvet. A “Zeppelin” floating glass instrument panel combines analog and digital elements, including a pillar-to-pillar screen and a clock in the shape of the Mercedes-Benz logo functioning as an AI companion. Materials include mother-of-pearl inlays, brass door handles, and straw marquetry flooring. The steering wheel features a floating Mercedes-Benz logo enclosed in a glass sphere.

Mercedes-Benz is researching solar paint technology for potential use in electric vehicles. When applied to a surface area equivalent to that of a midsize SUV, the coating could generate enough solar energy for up to 7,450 miles of additional range annually under ideal conditions. The coating is free of rare earths and silicon, recyclable, and achieves an efficiency rate of 20 percent, producing energy even when the vehicle is not in use.

The Vision Iconic also explores neuromorphic computing, a technology inspired by the functioning of the human brain. Mercedes-Benz expects this approach could make artificial intelligence tasks for automated driving up to 10 times more efficient while reducing energy use by as much as 90 percent compared with current systems. These capabilities could improve functions such as traffic sign recognition, lane detection, and object identification in low-visibility conditions.

The show car supports Level 2 assisted driving in urban environments and is designed to accommodate a future Level 4 automated driving system. At that level, the vehicle would be able to handle driving tasks such as freeway travel and parking without driver input. The automated parking system is designed to function in a range of parking scenarios.

Vision Iconic also features a steer-by-wire system that replaces the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels with electronic controls. The technology is intended to improve maneuverability, particularly for larger vehicles, and allows more flexibility in interior design. Combined with rear-axle steering, the system can reduce steering effort and eliminate the need for hand-over-hand steering during parking maneuvers.

Alongside the show car, Mercedes-Benz introduced a six-piece capsule clothing collection inspired by the Vision Iconic’s design. The collection features dark blue and silver-gold tones and incorporates Art Deco elements, reflecting the materials and style of the vehicle’s interior. The unveiling coincides with Shanghai Fashion Week.

Mercedes-Benz has also published the “Iconic Design Book,” which documents the brand’s current design approach and its connection to heritage. The book includes interviews with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener, as well as images and information on another show car.