Unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS is a futuristic union of innovations. The Vision EQS is a first milestone on the way to a CO2-neutral mobility of the future. With its innovative, stretched “one bow” design, the Vision EQS takes the Progressive Luxury design philosophy of the EQ models by Mercedes-Benz into a new dimension. The “seamless” look of this dramatic and powerful sculpture is what gives the Vision EQS its majestic presence.
Technical features such as the 24-inch multi-spoke wheels, which form a jewel-like counterpiece to the flowing body lines of the Vision EQS, emphasise the luxurious character of the Saloon. As do the rear lights, which are for the first time seamlessly integrated into the body. With 229 individual LED stars they show a completely new approach to applying the brand logo.
The significant contrast created by the continuous 360° exterior lightbelt joining the black-panel LED matrix grille and the headlamps with the rear light clusters defines a new form of exterior structure with its technical precision. The resulting colour division in the shoulder area not only creates a characteristically contrasting exterior. The impression of a glass dome floating on the vehicle body also visually stretches this ultra-modern saloon. At the same time the contrast underlines the aesthetic dynamism of the show car as a whole.
However, the design goes another step further. Thanks to seamless integration of the lights, the Vision EQS becomes a communicative vehicle, a “cooperative car”. The 360-degree exterior lightbelt, the digital LED matrix grille and the Digital Light headlamps allow interaction between the vehicle and its surroundings.
The black-panel grille, which has been realised with several levels as a world first, provides a new level of precise signalling. Its light matrix consists of 188 circuit boards, each of which carries 5 individually actuated LEDs and a single star. With this total of 940 individual LEDs in a three-dimensional space, the light signals with which the vehicle communicates with its surroundings create a fascinating impression of depth. The lightbelt traversing the grille also indicates membership of the EQ product family.
Another highlight of the Vision EQS are the new Digital Light headlamps, each with four holographic lens modules. Once the black panel comes to life, the seemingly free-floating stars and pixels create a holographic effect of floating light modules.
In the process these so-called holographic lens modules rotate at well over 2000 rpm. This high rotational speed suggests a static image to the human eye, and with specific actuation it even allows individual holographic images to be generated. The main module and circuit boards become practically invisible thanks to the high rpm, causing the 500 LEDs per headlamp to “float” in space. As each one of the less than one millimetre large high-performance LEDs is actuated individually, and can rotate at three different levels, the “floating” 3D impression is additionally reinforced.
Digital Light technology creates an almost unlimited number of display possibilities, providing an outlook on the future use of lighting by Mercedes-Benz. It also shows that the light of the future will no longer just be a key safety feature, but also a key element in man-machine communication, aesthetics and design.
An integrated interior emerging from the form and organically enveloping the occupants is the new interpretation of the Mercedes-Benz wrap-around effect.
The interior design takes its inspiration from the world of luxury yachts. The clear and generous design idiom creates a new level of serenity. For the first time the entire dashboard blends with the body of the front trim section to form an interior sculpture. With its deep and open spatial architecture, the cockpit of the Vision EQS envelops the occupants like the deck of a boat. The fully integrated, embracing overall sculpture consisting of the combined dashboard, centre console and armrests floats above the generous interior like a gentle, expansive landscape, and for the first time gives an outlook on the interiors of future luxury saloons by the brand.
The Vision EQS also makes new digital departures. The IAA show car therefore shows the expansive interior sculpture as a presentation piece for the future: digital content can be immersively experienced over the entire area, allowing information and content to be accessed by touch to create an all-embracing atmosphere. The blending of materials and information illustrates a possible intuitive interaction in the future.
The central display organically emerging from the centre console provides a specific outlook on new ergonomic concepts. Vehicle functions can now be operated by touch-control on the generous display surface. Maximum comfort on every seat: the side displays on the driver and front passenger seats allow individualisation of the driving experience by entering the Mercedes me ID – in future also for the front passenger. It is not only the displays that create a man-machine interface, but also the intelligent Connected Light, which runs around the entire interior like the 360° lightbelt on the exterior and is able to communicate by positioning information in space. On the one hand this ambient light band creates special lighting moods inside the vehicle, but it can also communicate information to the passengers.
With its battery-electric platform, Mercedes-Benz is clearly committing itself towards emission-free mobility. A combined output of over 350 kW gives the Vision EQS the performance of a super-sports car. With a compact high-performance power unit at each axle, the show car sets a new standard in EQ performance. Thanks to intelligent and fully variable torque distribution, the immediately available power from the two motors is not only managed for best possible handling, but above all for outstanding efficiency. As a result, thanks to an intelligent operating strategy, the show car accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under 4.5 seconds and has a comfortable operating range of up to 700 km (434 miles). At a charging output of 350 kW, the Vision EQS recharges the battery to 80% in significantly less than 20 minutes.