Mercedes-Benz's striking new Vision One-Eleven concept is a "progressive interpretation of a '70s brand icon".
The new two-seat hypercar - which sports a dramatic monolithic exterior design, gullwing doors and a flamboyant cockpit with silver upholstery - has been created as a one-off tribute to the firm's C111 experimental prototype. Just 16 examples of the C111 were produced over two generations for various test and development programmes during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Vision One-Eleven also provides clues to the EV drivetrain developments Mercedes has earmarked for its upcoming electric sports cars. It has been conceived with two rear-mounted axial-flux electric motors from British firm Yasa and a battery with liquid-cooled cylindrical cells and novel cell chemistry developed for use by Mercedes-AMG's UK-based Formula 1 division.
Mercedes has not released any power or range claims for its latest design-led concept but says the uniquely configured drivetrain has "the potential to take electric mobility to a new level of performance and efficiency".
Chief technology officer Markus Schäfer said: "The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven explores new paths for the future of performance. It offers a motorsport-like power output."
The car's styling combines clean-surfaced forms and a flush-fitting glass canopy with advanced aerodynamic functions and details that draw heavily on those of the C111.
A low-set front end mimics the look of Mercedes' 54-year-old prototype, with a bluff nose section that incorporates two round driving lights within a pixelated grille that is underscored by a large black carbonfibre splitter.
Denne historien er fra June 21, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 21, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
