Mercedes-Benz has entered a “new era of iconic design” with the Vision Iconic show car.
The Vision Iconic show car represents Mercedes-Benz’s vision for the future of mobility, showcasing an opulent yet timeless presence. According to Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer, the vehicle sets new standards with “groundbreaking innovations such as neuromorphic computing, steer-by-wire, solar paint, and Level 4 highly automated driving“.
Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener described the Vision Iconic as “a sculpture in motion, a homage to timeless elegance, and a statement for the future”. Inspired by the “golden era of automotive design of the 1930s,” the show car features sculptural flowing lines and a touch of Art Deco, with its rear and continuous bench seat evoking memories of the legendary 300 SL.
Reimagining the Iconic Grille
A central design feature is the reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Benz radiator grille, now dubbed the “iconic grille”. This design, first introduced with the all-new electric GLC in September 2025, expresses both emotion and intelligence, allowing Mercedes-Benz to “stand out from the sea of sameness”.
The grille is a striking, forward-looking homage to tradition, drawing inspiration from legendary upright grilles like those on the W 108, W 111, and the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman. It features a wide chromed frame, a smoked-glass lattice structure, and integrated contour lighting, merging heritage with digital modernity. Vision Iconic builds on this presence by illuminating the upright star on the bonnet.
Futuristic Tech and Lounge Comfort
The interior redefines automotive elegance with an opulent, Art Deco-inspired composition of craftsmanship and exclusive materials. The instrument panel’s centrepiece is a floating glass structure called the “Zeppelin,” which features a refined interplay of analogue and digital instruments. The cabin offers lounge-like comfort, with a spacious front bench seat upholstered in deep blue velvet, evoking relaxation and luxury. Handcrafted details abound, including intricate mother-of-pearl marquetry on the door panels and elaborate straw marquetry on the vehicle floor, a decorative technique revived in the 1920s.
Underneath its glamorous exterior, the Vision Iconic is a technology testbed:
- Solar Coating: Mercedes-Benz is researching innovative, wafer-thin solar modules that can be seamlessly applied to the bodywork to produce additional range. An area of 11 square meters could generate energy for up to 12,000 kilometres a year under ideal conditions.
- Neuromorphic Computing: This technology, which mimics the human brain, could make AI calculations up to ten times more energy-efficient and faster, potentially reducing the energy requirements for data processing in autonomous driving by 90 percent compared to today’s systems.
- Automated Driving: The car is prepared for Level 4 highly automated driving, allowing the driver to relax or stream videos once the system is activated on the freeway, transforming the car into a luxurious lounge. It also previews Level 4 highly automated parking for nearly all scenarios.
- Steer-by-Wire: This system, which eliminates the mechanical connection to the front wheels, improves handling and makes manoeuvring a long car easier by eliminating the need to re-grip the steering wheel while parking.
This holistic approach to design and technology, which includes a capsule fashion collection and a dedicated ICONIC DESIGN Book, marks Mercedes-Benz’s confident entry into the new electric and digital age.
