Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Vision Iconic, a concept that channels the automaker’s storied coupe tradition while making a compelling statement about its electric future. With a long hood, swept-back cabin, and dramatic proportions, the car takes aesthetic cues from classic models like the 500K and SSK couriers of the 1930s. But beneath that nostalgic shell hides serious innovation.

The exterior is wrapped in wafer-thin solar modules—technology Mercedes is actively researching—as a nod to energy sustainability. In ideal conditions, its photovoltaic surface could theoretically deliver thousands of miles of auxiliary range per year. Lighting is purposeful and bold: the illuminated grille, glowing hood emblem, and star-shaped headlamps echo future Mercedes EV cues already appearing in production models. The doors and vents are clean and unadorned, letting form follow function while capturing the ambient dialogue between light and shadow.

Inside, the cabin leans forward into a more restrained luxury. A four-spoke steering wheel nods to maritime design, while the dashboard enclosure, dubbed the “Zeppelin,” houses clocks and what appears to be an AI interface. Velvet seat upholstery, straw-mosaic floors, and brass detailing lend texture and depth without feeling gimmicky. Steering is steer-by-wire, enabling fluid rear-axle steering and easier low-speed maneuvering—critical for a car whose length suggests urban bulk.

Though unlikely to reach production as shown, Vision Iconic signals Mercedes’ next chapter: one born of heritage but unafraid of solar roofs, AI computing, and design that dares to outperform expectations.

In other automotive news, check out the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S.