Mercedes Vision Iconic channels the 1930s and previews all-electric S-Class

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its Vision Iconic concept, which adopts a bold art-deco design and provides a glimpse at the next-generation S-Class due to arrive in the UK in 2028.

The Vision Iconic riffs heavily on Mercedes’ heritage, and takes on a long bonnet with a rear end inspired by the 1954 Mercedes 300 SL ‘Gullwing’. Up front, the illuminated upright grille is similar to the bold unit fitted to the recently-released all-electric GLC.

Taking the theme one step further than the GLC, the Mercedes Vision Iconic’s three-pointed star also lights up – a design cue that could carry over to the upcoming S-Class.

While Mercedes did not confirm whether the Vision Iconic is an EV, the gloss-black paint hints at a fully-electric powertrain. The “wafer-thin” paint is applied to 11 square metres of the bodywork, and incorporates solar modules able to harness up to 7,456 miles worth of range in “ideal conditions”. The material doesn’t contain any rare-earth metal or silicone, and is said to be easy to recycle.

What’s more, the next-gen S-Class will be available with an internal combustion engine (ICE) or as an EV, the latter of which will ride on Mercedes’ EV-only MB.EA platform along with the forthcoming C-Class.

The Vision Iconic serves as a rolling laboratory and comes with a suite of new automotive technologies still under development, including level-four autonomous driving for hands-off, eyes-off driving. The system has a new ‘neomorphic’ computer system, which Mercedes claims mimicks the human brain’s neural networks.

The Stuttgart-based carmaker says this makes calculations up to 10 times faster than its current Pilot system, and is also 90% more energy-efficient. In further nod to what’s coming on from the all-electric S-Class, the Vision Iconic showcases a steer-by-wire system to increase agility and low-speed manoeuverability.

Inside, the Vision Iconic continues the where old meets new theme, and Mercedes describes it as an “entirely new experience of hyper-analogue and digital luxury”. The dashboard is crafted from glass, and comes to life with an “entirely analogue animation” as the doors are opened. The large four-spoke steering wheel harks back to the interwar period.

Around the cabin, a variety of high-end materials are used, including polished brass door handles off-set with mother-of-pearl and silver-gold tones. Meanwhile, the front bench seat is finished in dark blue velvet.

As well as hinting heavily at the next S-Class saloon, the two-door Vision Iconic suggests a return of the S-Class coupé and convertible with the next iteration of Mercedes’ flagship.