Stuttgart/Pebble Beach. Mercedes-Benz presents the Vision EQ Silver Arrow showcar on the occasion of the Monterey Car Week show, which will be held from August 18 to 26, 2018 in Pebble Beach (California). This event attracts automobile experts and collectors from all over the world. The car is at the same time a tribute to the successful record holder W 125 from 1937. The Alubeam silver paint is reminiscent of the historic Silver Arrows, which in their day had to get rid of the white paint for reasons of weight. The interior is dominated by traditional high-quality materials such as genuine leather, polished aluminum and solid walnut wood. The digital cockpit, on the other hand, takes us directly to the future with its curved panoramic screen with rear projection technology and the touch screen integrated into the steering wheel.
«More than 80 years ago, the historic Silver Arrows turned Mercedes-Benz into the standard of high speed. This was due, among other factors, to its aerodynamic silhouette,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG. «The Vision connects with this tradition. Designed to enjoy its spirited levels of acceleration, this vehicle embodies the concept of advanced luxury and presents a preview of the future of our design. In this way, the showcar becomes the maximum expression of the formal language of our new EQ brand of products and technology.»
The EQ brand takes shape with an independent and avant-garde aesthetic that represents advanced luxury. This canon results from the interaction between unprecedented beauty, the conscious juxtaposition of digital and analog elements and the continuous transition between intuitive design and physical design.
Exterior: sporty silhouette
The formal language of the Vision EQ Silver Arrow, characterized by its sharp and fluid lines, is derived from the consistent application of the brand's design philosophy based on sensual clarity. The stylized silhouette of this single-seater, 5,30 meters long and approximately one meter wide, is slender and at the same time turgid.
The body of the showcar is made of carbon fiber. The multi-layer Alubeam silver paint coats it as if it were liquid metal. This concept reflects the two opposing poles of design, and is at the same time "hot" and "cool." The functional attached pieces made of carbon fiber, such as the front splitter, reflect the cold and rational side of this philosophy. This is also the case of the front panel with display function, and the continuous light band on the front. The luminous band is repeated as a design feature on the side skirts. The large-format EQ logo, integrated as a bas-relief in front of the rear wheels, is illuminated in blue, the distinctive color of the new brand.
Other notable elements are the driver's cabin, which can be opened forward, and the wheels with multi-spoke rims, partly exposed. Static hubcaps and partial covers are other innovative styling elements of the wheels. The 168 spokes of each wheel are made of lightweight aluminum painted in rose gold, a characteristic shade of the EQ.
The Vision EQ Silver Arrow is fitted with slick-type smooth tires in 255/25 R 24 (front axle) and 305/25 R 26 (rear axle) formats, which guarantee high levels of traction and acceleration. The star pattern on the tread, created in collaboration with tire supplier Pirelli, demonstrates great attention to detail.
The rear diffuser is reminiscent of racing motorsport. Two extendable rear spoilers also act as aerodynamic brakes, increasing air resistance when decelerating.
Interior: traditional and modern design
The interior of the Vision EQ Silver Arrow represents the values of advanced luxury. The formal language combines a timeless aesthetic with a futuristic vision.
Opening the driver's cabin forward reveals a surprisingly spacious cabin. Its main characteristic feature is contrast. On the one hand, traditional high-quality materials such as genuine leather in equestrian brown on the seat and steering wheel, polished aluminum throughout the cabin and solid walnut wood with darker coniferous wood lines on the floor. These elements constitute the link with the historical racing cars of the Silver Arrow era. On the other hand, modern high-tech solutions that manifest the visionary character typical of the EQ, such as the wide projection surface of the widescreen, and innovative user experiences, such as the possibility of competing in virtual races (see below). This contrast responds to the desire to merge past and future.
The seat and backrest have an original pattern with laser-engraved stitched stars that adapts to the contour of the seat. AIRSCARF heating for the neck area has been integrated into the seat. A four-point seat belt inspired by motorsports retains the driver in his seat. The pedals can be individually adapted to the driver's height using an adjuster located next to the seat.
The interior of the side walls is covered in exquisite gray suede, matching the exterior paint in Alubeam silver.
Double screen and virtual races
The driver of the Vision EQ Silver Arrow is surrounded by a large panoramic screen, on which three-dimensional images are projected with the help of a projector installed behind. A function that allows us to guess what the charging technologies of the future could be like is the display on the screen of the lane of the road in which induction charging is possible.
Artificial intelligence techniques make it possible to compete with historical or current Silver Arrows. To this end, the widescreen displays a virtual racing circuit on the real stage, and the driver sees his imaginary rival in front or behind. The “Virtual Race Coach” assistance function helps improve the driver's driving skills by providing guidance during the race.
The steering wheel also incorporates a touch screen, with which the driver can select programs with different driving patterns, such as Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Sound settings can also be configured. Among other options, you can choose the sound of a current Formula 1 Silver Arrow and that of a Mercedes-AMG V8 engine.
Emission-free propulsion
The Vision EQ Silver Arrow has been conceived as an electric vehicle. The power of this silent Silver Arrow is 550 kW (750 HP). The flat battery located in the bottom has a useful capacity of approx. 80 kWh, and enables an estimated range of more than 400 km according to the WLTP. To cool the battery, ventilation slots have been made on the sides.
EQ prototypes: projections of the future of electromobility in all segments
The Concept EQA presented by Mercedes-Benz at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 2017 demonstrates that it is possible to transfer the EQ strategy to the compact category. This model is equipped with two electric motors – one on the front axle and one on the rear axle – that deliver a combined power of more than 200 kW. This allows the torque distribution of the permanent all-wheel drive to be varied, giving greater priority to the front or rear wheels, and thus modify the driving properties of the vehicle. The Concept EQA displays the selected driving program on its unique virtual grille.
The smart vision EQ fortwo, also presented at the IAA 2017, reflects an autonomous vision of electric mobility with a view to highly efficient and flexible commuter traffic. This autonomous driving and electric drive prototype embodies a consistent concept of urban mobility and carsharing of the future. The vehicle picks up passengers at the desired location and dispenses with a steering wheel and pedals.
The Concept EQ, presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2016, was the first precursor to the new EQ brand of products and technology. It was a prototype with the appearance of a sports SUV Coupé, which anticipated numerous elements of the Mercedes-Benz EQC that will go on the market in 2019.
