The Vision Tokyo is the latest trailblazing spatial
experience to come from Mercedes-Benz: its monolithic structure, futuristic
design idiom and unique lounge ambience in the interior define it as luxurious,
young and progressive – thus making it a fitting tribute to the sophisticated
megacity and trendsetting metropolis that is Tokyo. Spatially efficient,
versatile and intelligently connected, the Vision Tokyo – which is also capable
of driving autonomously – is an urban transformer that reflects the growing
youthfulness of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The Vision Tokyo is a homage to the urban Generation
Z, the cohort of people born since 1995 who have grown up with the new media.
The role of the vehicle has changed for this global generation: it is no longer
simply a means of getting around, but a digital, automobile companion. The
Vision Tokyo takes things another step further: innovative algorithms allow it
to evolve constantly; Deep Machine Learning and an intelligent Predictive
Engine mean that, with each journey, it becomes more and more familiar with its
occupants, their likes and preferences. All of which makes the Vision Tokyo the
perfect partner for Generation Z.
The spaciousness of the Vision Tokyo marks a new
conceptual approach for Mercedes-Benz Cars. These proportions are emphasised by
the monochrome Alubeam paintwork and by side windows screen-printed in the
colour of the vehicle. These give the vehicle’s occupants privacy, while at the
same time allowing sufficient light to penetrate into the interior and an
unimpeded view out.
Surfaces and lines illuminated in blue – among them
the 26-inch wheels and the side skirts – provide unexpected colour highlights
and are indicative of the concept car’s emission-free electric drive system. A
pointer to the potential for autonomous operation and the comprehensive system
of vehicle environment sensors that this requires, including a 360-degree
camera, is provided by the fin on the vehicle roof.
Instead of a conventional windscreen, the Vision
Tokyo features a continuous stretch of glass panelling – similar to the glazed
cockpit of a powerboat. As was the case with the AMG Vision Gran Turismo, the
front headlamps are set well to either side and at an angle. The area across
the front of the vehicle can be used to display a series of different lighting
functions. If music is playing inside the vehicle the display will, for
example, visualise a sound pattern, rather like a sound analyser. The rear
window is set into a surrounding ring of red LED cubes, which gives it visual
depth. Once again, the LED field can be put to good use – as an indicator
display or as part of the analyser function.
The dimensions of the Vision Tokyo
(length/width/height: 4803/2100/1600 mm) are comparable with those of a
mid-series vehicle. Up to five passengers access the interior via the
upward-swinging door on the left-hand side – ideal for the right-hand-drive
traffic in Japan’s megacity. The conventional seating arrangement in rows is
thus redundant, while there is also no "front" or "back"
here: passengers take their seats instead on a large, oval-shaped couch. This
unique lounge-style arrangement allows everyone on board to enjoy the benefits
of autonomous driving. For even though the members of "Generation Z"
are frequent users of social media, they nevertheless prefer personal contact
whenever possible. And it is for this face‑to-face communication that the
seat layout has been optimised. As a contemporary-style club lounge, the Vision
Tokyo brings people together. With the car in autonomous driving mode they are
able to chill and chat, without having to worry about steering a way through
the dense traffic.
The bodyshell of the Vision Tokyo has been designed
to allow the crash-protected integration of a fuel cell-powered electric drive
system. This is based on the trailblazing F-CELL PLUG-IN HYBRID of the F 015
Luxury in Motion and combines the on-board generation of electricity with a
particularly powerful and compact high-voltage battery that can be charged
contactlessly via induction. The use of pressure tanks made from CFRP is
envisaged for the storage of hydrogen in the concept car. The electric hybrid
system has a total range of 980 kilometres, of which some 190 kilometres are
courtesy of battery-powered driving and around 790 kilometres on the
electricity produced in the fuel cell.