Introducing the Mercedes Vision One Eleven: The Future of Sports Cars

Mercedes has launched the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven as a concept, paying homage to the brand's 1969 experimental sports car, C111.

It is a futuristic-looking EV hypercar that pays homage to the experimental series of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Also, it could be the successor to AMG Vision One.

CLEAR INSPIRATION

Mercedes is a brand with a rich history, but one that has always made sure to pioneer the use of technology years before its rivals.

Despite its enhanced futuristic look, this EV concept pays homage to its predecessor from the last century, trying to continue the combination of orange and black, which enhances the car's shapes.

In turn, the gull-wing doors and some of the design cues make clear references to the firm's experimental C111 concepts of the 1960s and 1970s. In no way has Mercedes tried to bring the model past into the present, but simply to honor it with clear signs of identity that this Visione One-Eleven also incorporates.

THE FUTURE OF MERCEDES?

What it is about, without a doubt, is to give clues about where the German brand is heading in the coming years. Details such as the axial flow electric motor or the interior screen with augmented reality technology attest to this.

THE MOST FUTURISTIC CONCEPT

The Mercedes Benz Vision One-Eleven has shapes similar to the prototype presented by Maserati, with a huge and aerodynamic background that contains a large oval air intake that is actually a digital panel capable of displaying messages.

The line of the bonnet extends uninterrupted with the windscreen being integrated into it, which runs across the entire 1.17-meter-high roof to the rear window, which is also integrated. Sharp aerodynamic elements may be reminiscent of the new Lamborghini Revuelto.

It does not have a spoiler (at least visibly), although it is possible that thanks to its presumably high performance it does not need one.

Mercedes says the blue-backlit rear end makes the concept look "fused with the road surface," and if it offers as much downforce as it looks, it gets it.

RENEWED ENGINE

Contrary to its predecessor from the last century, this Mercedes Vision One-Eleven has a 100% EV engine and no combustion, as the C111 did, which had rotary engines, five diesel cylinders, and V8 turbo gasoline.

The car's batteries have been developed in collaboration with the company's F1 team. Hence, it features liquid-cooled, high-performance cylindrical cells with "novel" cell chemistry. The twin electric motors are also noteworthy.

These are axial-flow motors from Yasa, owned by UK-based Benz, and the brand claims they are lighter, more compact, and more powerful than radial-flow motors. Mercedes says it is working with Yasa to bring the technology to full-scale production for its next generation of electric vehicles.

HIGH PERFORMANCE, BUT ALSO COMFORTABLE

The small size of the two electric motors has allowed Mercedes to extend the cabin towards the rear of the vehicle, making the interior of the One-Eleven a much more spacious place than what we are used to in this class of supercars.

It has doors that open like gull wings, this together with the high thresholds of the doors make it also comfortable to access the interior. Inside are a pair of silver bucket seats that look like leftovers from the 1960s space race, and the extensive white staining on the recycled polyester dash, floor, and tunnel liners contrasts with the tanned tan leather. coffee bean shells.

Mercedes says the One-Eleven is just a concept. That is why the German macro has not published real technical details.

This prototype features a full-width, retro-futuristic dashboard display behind its rectangular steering wheel. If you feel the need for more media, you can slip on the Magic Leap 2 augmented reality headset, which turns the entire car into a user interface and even lets you see through the A-pillars.

While elements like digital technology and electric powertrain advancements will be on display in the showroom, the hypercar as you see it doesn't exist, or at least that's the official version of the Teutonic brand.

However, Mercedes chief designer Gordon Wagener did not seem to rule out the possibility of something similar finding its way into the hands of a few billionaires in the coming years.