Mercedes Simplex Vision concept unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has opened a new design center in Nice, along the lush south coast of France. It is located in the heart of the Sophia Antipolis Science and Technology Park, nicknamed the "Silicon Valley" in France.

It's not just an excuse for German designers to take some sun, because the region is also a "cradle of the brand". In 1899, local businessman Emil Jellinek took part in motor racing on the Riviera under the pseudonym "Mr Mercedes, his daughter's name". This is where the "Mercedes" comes from in "Mercedes-Benz".

The high-tech design center manufactures traditional clay models, but also specializes in materials from sustainable sources, uses some high-tech virtual reality design tools, and plays with futuristic interior technologies before they become available. commercially viable.

Of course, the promotion cycle for the new studio needs something with a bang. Thus, the company lets its designers embark on an unprecedented project called "Vision Mercedes Simplex". It sounds like a wrestling movement, but it's actually a small, awesome design study.

This name refers to the Mercedes 35 PS "simple to drive" (nicknamed Simplex) that dominated the races in the region as early as 1901. This car without a horse with wooden wheels can reach a speed of 100 km / h and is greeted by many first modern car.

"Only a brand as strong as Mercedes-Benz is capable of the physical symbiosis of history and the future," believes the design director, Gorden Wagener. Ok, cool, we really like to marvel.

The Mercedes Simplex Vision reinterprets the historic car as a two-seater with freestyle wheels and "alternative drive" (probably electric). Of course, this is enough to slowly move the concept for display purposes.

The radiator combines a colorful pink gold mount – reminiscent of the historic model's bronze grille – with a large black panel / 3D screen / 3D screen opening, rather than a radiator grille. This detail is presented as a symbol of "the transformation of the Mercedes-Benz luxury brand into the digital world".

The omission of a windshield, as on the historical model, allows a smoother transition from the front panel to the dashboard. The thin reversing lights are integrated horizontally in the rear part and separate the upper part of the lower part of the outer shell. A leather bag ends the tail instead of a boot.

The entire interior is a tribute to the DNA of the Simplex racing car. The design of the steering column and dashboard switches were apparently inspired by both motorcycles and nautical design. Strong contrasts are made between the black / white contrast paint and the "azure" trim.

UI / UX design "illustrates the vision of digital luxury at Mercedes-Benz". The driver only sees the information he really needs in a particular driving situation. In other words, the right information is displayed on the screen at the right time, for example. speed, navigation instructions or vehicle information.

Forgive the waffle, but look at it!

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