Mercedes-Benz has been at its best lately when mining its own history rather than designing futuristic EQ vehicles. The Vision Iconic concept, unveiled today in Shanghai, proves this point emphatically. Drawing inspiration from the legendary 540K Autobahn-Kurier and other 1930s masterpieces, this show car reminds us why Stuttgart’s three-pointed star has commanded respect for over a century.
Fire Up the Grille
The specs here are simple: an extremely long hood, minimal front overhang, massive wheels, and a roofline that tapers toward the rear. It’s the same formula Mercedes used on cars like the 540K, and it still works. The coach doors and sculpted bodywork in deep black paint give it effortless road presence.
The front grille deserves some real attention. It’s the same illuminated design that debuted on last month’s electric GLC, but scaled up and made vertical. Hundreds of LED pixels sit behind smoked glass in a chrome frame, with an illuminated three-pointed star on the hood. The headlights use a similar vertical-slat design that’s already showing up on production cars like the CLA.
An Interior Built Around Autonomy
The cabin centers on what Mercedes calls the “Zeppelin” — a floating glass instrument panel with a chronograph-style gauge cluster and an AI interface shaped like the Mercedes logo. Instead of individual seats, there’s a blue velvet bench up front. Mother-of-pearl trim covers the doors, brass handles add some weight, and the floor uses straw marquetry in an Art Deco pattern.
The four-spoke steering wheel is a steer-by-wire, meaning there’s no mechanical connection to the front wheels. Combined with rear-axle steering, it should make a car this long easier to park and integrate better with automated driving systems.
Real Tech Under the Concept Car Sheen
Mercedes is working on solar coating that could be applied like paint to EV bodies. On a mid-size SUV’s surface area, the company claims up to 7,450 miles of additional range per year under ideal conditions. The photovoltaic cells run at 20-percent efficiency, don’t use rare earth metals, and can be recycled.
There’s also research into neuromorphic computing — AI processing that mimics how human brains work. Mercedes says this could cut energy consumption for automated driving by 90 percent while making safety systems react faster. The Vision Iconic is designed for Level 2 automated driving in cities and Level 4 on highways, plus automated parking once you reach your destination.
Spec Sheet
Model: Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic Concept
Debut: October 14, 2025 (Shanghai Fashion Week)
Drivetrain: Electric (specifications not disclosed)
Key Tech: Solar paint coating, steer-by-wire, neuromorphic computing
Autonomous Driving: Level 2 (urban), Level 4 (highway)
Interior: Bench seating, mother-of-pearl trim, straw marquetry flooring
Pricing & Availability
The Vision Iconic is a show car with no production plans announced. However, its design language and technologies will likely influence Mercedes’ upcoming electric models, particularly the next-generation S-Class.
Recap
Mercedes-Benze Vision Iconic Concept
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Vision Iconic concept in Shanghai, a show car that pulls heavily from 1930s Art Deco design while showcasing future tech like solar paint and Level 4 automated driving.
