It looks like Mercedes-Benz has rediscovered its stylistic mojo with the reveal of its all-new Mercedes Vision Iconic Concept.
The striking two-door is hotly tipped to preview the next flagship S-Class that should see the return of a coupe and convertible when it debuts as soon as 2027.
It’s also expected when the 2028 S-Class arrives it will draw plenty of Mercedes’ past greats, including the 1950s 300 SL Gullwing, while also featuring the brand’s mind-blowing tech.
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That includes its latest autonomous driving aids, steer-by-wire chassis tech, plus new solar paint that provides for up 12,000km of free driving range a year.
But most attention when it comes to this concept is snared by the big Benz’s stunning art deco looks that are dominated by a huge five-slat illuminated grille first introduced by the recently-launched GLC EV.
Larger and more upright than the SUV’s grille revealed at last month’s Munich auto show, the future face of the S-Class is said to lift cues from the 1900 Mercedes 35 PD S, as well as the much later 1960s W108 S-Class and 600 Pullman (W100) limousine.
Look closer, and you might spot the new concept is the first-ever Benz with a glow-in-the-dark silver star.
The rear of the new S-Class, meanwhile, features a dramatic teardrop-shaped roofline mimicking the 300 SL.
Within, the cabin is one giant digital detox, with further art deco design cues including a four-spoke steering wheel blended with a blue velour-wrapped bench seat.
Theer’s also an unusual zeppelin-shaped glass dash that combines gauges and watches and a metal cylinder that features topographic charts of mountains and hills.
Materials used include mother of pearl marquetry and brass that adds to the olde world feel.
But there is also an advanced integrated AI assistant onboard to take care of everything you need, while hidden screens should provide for the full cinematic experience at speed.
While the battery-powered S-Class will be based on the all-new MB.EA platform, it’s thought both combustion and hybrid will carry over an updated version of the current limo’s MRA architecture.
Fresh tech in the Vision Concept comes with supervised Level 2++ autonomous driving aids around town and in the city and a full driverless Level 4 capability on the highway.
The latter will allow occupants to watch movies without needing to monitor proceedings.
Since autonomous driving draws so much energy, Benz engineers have developed an artificial neural network that mimics a body’s nervous system.
It can crunch the huge amount of data needed by AI-powered computers while consuming 90 per cent less energy, despite processing data ten times quicker.
Enhancing agility in town is a new steer-by-wire system that uses an upgraded development of the current limo’s rear-axle steer that Benz says aids low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.
Finally, the Vision Iconic Concept comes with the German brand’s pioneering solar coating that uses a photovoltaic-active paint surface to harness the sun’s rays to top up the onboard high-voltage battery.
On a typical mid-size SUV, Benz has already said the tech has the capacity to add as much as 12,000km of free driving range annually.