Mercedes
IAA Concept
The
Mercedes-Benz "Concept IAA" (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) is
two cars in one: an aerodynamics world champion with a Cd value of 0.19 and a
four-door coupé embodying irresistible design. The study, which is celebrating
its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, switches
automatically from design mode to aerodynamic mode when the vehicle reaches a
speed of 80 km/h, whereby numerous aerodynamics measures alter the shape of the
vehicle. Inside, the "Concept IAA" continues the design line of the
S-Class and S-Class Coupé, offers new touch-based functions and provides an
idea of what the interior of a business saloon might look like in the near
future.
At
the touch of a button, or automatically on reaching a speed of 80 km/h, the
Mercedes-Benz "Concept IAA" (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile)
performs a fascinating transformation in which the captivatingly beautiful
four-door coupé turns into an aerodynamics world champion: eight segments
extend at the rear, increasing its length by up to 390 millimetres; front flaps
in the front bumper extend by 25 mm to the front and 20 mm to the rear,
improving the air flow around the front end and the front wheel arches; the
Active Rims alter their cupping from 55 mm to zero; and the louvre in the front
bumper moves 60 mm to the rear, improving the underbody air flow.
Equally,
the "Concept IAA" exemplifies the fundamental technological changes
which are taking place in the automobile industry. The primary driving force
behind this process of change is digitisation - commonly referred to in a
business context as "Industry 4.0". For Mercedes-Benz, a continuous
digital process chain from research and development through production to
marketing and sales, logistics and the service area is already becoming
reality.
The
design and aerodynamic shaping of the "Concept IAA" would not have
been possible without the systematic digital networking of different specialist
departments. The designers have employed the latest algorithmic design methods
to handle the complex geometric design. The individually adapted software
enables dynamic design in three-dimensional space. This dynamic modelling makes
it possible to display and model different states simultaneously. The resultant
highly complex geometries were turned into reality with the aid of innovative
production technologies (rapid prototyping).
The
world-beating aerodynamics were developed in parallel with the aid of numeric
flow simulation. In around one million CPU hours, the aerodynamics experts from
Mercedes-Benz simulated the flow characteristics, calculating some 300
variants. This roughly corresponds to the scope of work involved in developing
a production model.
The
"Concept IAA" also offers a look into the future in areas which are
not apparent at first glance. The study features Car-to-X technology, for
example, which enables the study to communicate with other vehicles or other
sources of information. This represents a major advance in helping to avoid
accidents, as obstacles or events which are not visible to the vehicle itself
can be detected - the "Concept IAA" is able to look around the
corner, as it were. With this and its interior and operating concept, the
"Concept IAA" also offers a foretaste of the business saloon of the near
future.
The
interior of the "Concept IAA" combines stylish sportiness with modern
luxury. The interior continues the design line of the S-Class and S-Class Coupé
while providing an idea of what the interior of a business saloon might look
like in the near future. The choice of colours and materials conjures up
extrovert contrasts between anthracite and white as well as between aluminium
and cut glass. Elegantly curved forms, flowing lines, carefully chosen
high-quality materials and the touch-based operating philosophy provide for a
high level of functionality.
The
two-spoke steering wheel is a progressive further development of the
Mercedes-Benz steering wheel philosophy. The open structure of its horizontal
spokes is highly intricate in design, as a manifestation of intelligent and
elegant lightweight construction. The steering wheel also incorporates
touch-based operating functions, offering great functionality in the most
compact dimensions as a study in perfect ergonomics: OFN (Optical Finger
Navigation) buttons, embedded in the clusters in a similar hovering manner as
the touchpad in the centre console, enable the driver to scroll through the
instrument cluster menus. The OFN button on the left controls the left-hand
display, while the button on the right controls the right-hand display. In this
way, the "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road" operating philosophy
which has been applied by Mercedes-Benz for many years now is implemented in a
manner which is at once brilliantly simple and uncompromising.
The
"Concept IAA" is 5040 millimetres long (5430 mm in aerodynamic mode),
1995 mm wide and 1305 mm high. Its wheelbase measures 2975 mm, and the
front/rear track widths are 1710 and 1770 mm respectively. The concept car is
powered by a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid drive with a total output of 279 hp. This provides it with a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically
limited). CO2 emissions and electric range depend on the mode in which the
vehicle is tested: in aerodynamic mode the "Concept IAA" manages an
all-electric range of 66 kilometres and emits 28 g CO2 per km. In design mode
the range stands at 62 km and CO2 emissions at 31 g per km. As urban driving is
accorded a two-thirds weighting in the current New European Driving Cycle
(NEDC), the advantage of aerodynamic mode is not revealed as clearly in this
test as in real-life driving.
