If you wanted to know what luxury cars will look
like in the future, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS is here to answer such
questions with its simple yet progressive styling, not to mention a properly
tech-laden interior. The Vision EQS is also fully electric, featuring a 100 kWh battery
and a total output of approximately 476 PS.
Daimler went with a flowing yet powerful sculpted
exterior, with a continuous “lightbelt” structure that makes the overall design
appear seamless. The German automaker calls the Vision EQS “sensuously elegant
and dramatically charged,” and regardless of what we may think of its
appearance, it is certainly one of the most interesting-looking vehicles at
this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Exterior features include the Digital Light
headlights, each boasting two holographic lens modules, integrated into the
previously-mentioned lightbelt – this allows for an almost unlimited number of
light variations that preview what future Mercedes models will be like in terms
of light configurations. The rear end is particularly innovative with 229 illuminated
individual stars, while the front grille houses a light matrix consisting of
188 individual LEDs, able to create a three-dimensional effect.
Inside, the concept takes its inspiration from the
world of luxury yachts, which is why the entire dashboard can be seen blending
with the body of the front trim section, while the entire cockpit looks to
envelop its occupants like the deck of a boat – this type of design philosophy
will also make it inside future Mercedes-Benz luxury saloons.
In terms of materials, the show car comes with
high-quality crystal white DINAMICA microfiber, used alongside native figured
maple trim made from recycled PET bottles. Artificial leather is also present,
featuring a finely structured surface that’s said to be similar to nappa
leather. Meanwhile, the roof lining is comprised of a high-quality textile
created from recycled “ocean waste” plastic.
Then there’s the onboard tech – specifically, the
advanced MBUX system. Inside the Vision EQS, digital content can be experienced
by immersing yourself within the entire surface of the cockpit. Organically
emerging displays and projection surfaces provide you with plenty of viewing
spaces, as does the intelligent CONNECTED LIGHT that shines around the
occupants. Other interior features include the air vents being integrated into
the trim elements like inlays, the rose gold speaker covers and the jewel-like
fragrance flask encased in a decorative holder.
The Vision EQS Concept comes with electric motors
both at the front and the rear, which together with its floor-integrated
battery help create an electric all-wheel drive system with axle-variable
torque distribution. The vehicle’s system output is somewhere north of 350 kW
(476 PS), to go with around 760 Nm of instant torque. It’s
enough so as to propel the concept from zero to 100 km/h in less than
4.5 seconds and onto a top speed of more than 200 km/h.
The Vision EQS also
boats an operating range of up to 700 km by WLTP standards. The
showcar will also recharge its battery to 80% in “considerably less than 20
minutes” – assuming you’re using a 350 kW charger. As for what it can do in terms of
driver assistance, the Vision EQS show car is equipped with Level 3 autonomous
driving tech, which is aimed at longer motorway journeys. However, thanks to
its modular sensor systems, the level of autonomy can be extended up to
fully-automated in the future.
