Mercedes Vision Simplex Mixes Electric Future with Brass Era Style
Unveiled in France, latest concept from Mercedes-Benz pays tribute to man behind Mercedes name, 1901 Simplex race car.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision series of concept cars have, as of late, served as demonstrations of where the luxury brand wants to go in the New ’20s and beyond. Each model is not only a work of art, but also infused with the mission of electrification. Some of the concepts are as futuristic as expected, like the EQS. Others are retro-futuristic, like the EQ Silver Arrow.
And then, there’s the Vision Simplex. Automobile recently visited Mercedes’ new design center in Nice, France, where the latest Vision concept was the star.
The Vision Simplex was built in honor of Emil Jellinek, an early 20th century Daimler dealer who lent his daughter’s name, Mercedes, to the cars he sold. He also raced a 1901 Simplex model in Nice — where he called home — milking the 35 horses his car made for all their worth. Said car inspired the Vision Simplex’s mix of futurism and Brass Era styling.
Of course, like all current Vision concepts, the Vision Simplex leans heavily towards the future. Thus, instead of elegant fenders and brass work, the Mercedes is pure minimalism. Led by Daimler’s global design chief Gorden Wagener, the concept took nine months to enter our world from the digital realm at the company’s California design center.
The entire back half of the Vision Simplex is where the driver sits, guiding the machine in comfort upon a plush blue bench. There, they can adjust the chassis for whatever adventure they seek, check on any important info on the readout, and otherwise enjoy the breeze flowing through their scarf.
Up front, there’s no engine of any sort, but there’s a rose gold horse collar in place of the brass grill of the original Simplex. There are also rose gold buckles on the hood, each keeping their respective white leather straps on lock. Power comes from a quartet of electric motors, one per wheel, and storage comes in the form of a black leather satchel mounted between the rear pair of wheels. In short, this isn’t your great-great-grandfather’s Mercedes.
Photos: Mercedes-Benz; Automotive
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