Electrifying Beauty – The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6

The recent Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance was not short star-power as Mercedes-Benz premiered its electric powered uber-luxury coupe, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6.

The 2+2‑seater coupe pays homage to the age of the aero coupés yet underlines current megatrends of efficiency and low-emission vehicles. If the aesthetics seem somewhat familiar, that’s because it harks back the Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA which first debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The concept is designed from the ground-up as an electric car. Total output of the drive system is 550 kW (750 hp) driving four compact permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors situated in the wheels.

The shallow underfloor battery has a usable capacity of approximately 80 kWh. Mercedes claim the car will accelerate from 0‑100 km/h in under 4.0 seconds onto an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h. The batteries will also deliver a maximum range of over 500km on the NEDC cycle.

A quick-charge function allows for DC charging based on the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard allowing a charging capacity of up to 350 kW. Just five minutes of charging gives the vehicle added range of 100km. The car can be charged via a cable connection at a public charging station, conventional domestic outlet or wirelessly through an electromagnetic field.

The unique design of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is also functional, doing away with spoilers and aesthetic contours, the slinky shape allows for the airflow to hug the contours of the vehicle body and only break away at the tail end of the vehicle. The Concept IAA forebear; explored this concept for extremely low aerodynamic drag.

The distinctive 24-inch wheels are further developed from the Concept IAA – featuring a transparent shield of the aluminium spokes behind it. Further retrospective highlights include a split-window rear windscreen and gullwing doors.

The interior manages refined elegance and sci-fi wizardry in equal amounts. The front windscreen serves as a transparent display: driving-related data and geographical information is shown across its full width which can be controlled via hand gestures.

The conventional circular instruments sit ahead of glass trim that extends from the centre of the dashboard towards the door panels. This strip can provide other information such navigation, seat settings and climate control settings – augmented through touch control.

Taking the sci-fi ethos further are "body sensor displays". Sensors embedded in the upholstery will scan and monitor the occupant’s vital functions and manage comfort features such as the seat climate or massage functions. The floating, transparent centre tunnel visualises the drive system's electrical energy flow.