The Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic is the latest concept car from the German luxury brand, a sleek two-door coupe that blends nostalgic styling with cutting-edge tech. But let’s start with the obvious: that grille.
It’s massive. Following in the footsteps of the GLC and next-generation C-Class revealed at the Munich Motor Show, the Vision Iconic takes the “big illuminated grille” trend to new extremes. The design nods to classic Mercedes models like the W108, W111 and the luxurious 600 Pullman, but adds a modern twist with a chrome frame, smoked glass lattice and animated contour lighting that can display different graphics.
Naturally, the famous three-pointed star on the bonnet also lights up, because of course it does.
Look past the front end, though, and there’s plenty of innovation underneath. The gloss black body integrates solar modules capable of generating enough power to cover up to 12,000km (around 7,500 miles) a year if used on a mid-size SUV.
Inside, the Vision Iconic mixes art deco influences with futuristic details: a four-spoke steering wheel, a floating glass dashboard and a full-width digital display. Blue velvet upholstery and polished brass accents give it a rich, lounge-like feel.
On the tech side, Mercedes has fitted a steer-by-wire system and level four autonomous capability powered by a neuromorphic computer that mimics the human brain. The brand claims it can identify traffic signs, lanes and road users faster and up to 10 times more efficiently than current systems, potentially cutting the energy used for self-driving functions by as much as 90%.
Big grille or not, it’s hard not to admit this thing’s pretty cool.
