Automotive

Gargantuan Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 elegantly combines past and future

Gargantuan Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 elegantly combines past and future
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 certainly has some presence on the lawn at Monterey Car Week
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 certainly has some presence on the lawn at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision 6 is a gorgeous piece of design, measuring up at almost 19.6 ft long for maximum impact
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The Vision 6 is a gorgeous piece of design, measuring up at almost 19.6 ft long for maximum impact
Mercedes has drawn on classic aero-coupes for inspiration
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Mercedes has drawn on classic aero-coupes for inspiration
The car's profile is similar to the Concept IAA from Frankfurt 2015
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The car's profile is similar to the Concept IAA from Frankfurt 2015
The design team took inspiration from pinstripe suits with the new grille
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The design team took inspiration from pinstripe suits with the new grille
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a ride fit for Cruella De Ville
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a ride fit for Cruella De Ville
The car's nose plays host to two specially designed suitcases
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The car's nose plays host to two specially designed suitcases
A look at the inspiration for the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
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A look at the inspiration for the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
The car's seats were inspired by button-back lounges
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The car's seats were inspired by button-back lounges
The car's rear end harks back to old-fashioned aero-coupes
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The car's rear end harks back to old-fashioned aero-coupes
The glass wraparound display on the Vision handles most minor cabin functions
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The glass wraparound display on the Vision handles most minor cabin functions
The three-pointed star sitting proud of the hood is instantly recognisable
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The three-pointed star sitting proud of the hood is instantly recognisable 
Mercedes teased the car extensively before it launched
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Mercedes teased the car extensively before it launched 
Gullwing doors add a touch of drama
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Gullwing doors add a touch of drama 
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a long, low throwback coupe
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a long, low throwback coupe
The car's tail-end draws heavily on the Concept IAA for inspiration
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The car's tail-end draws heavily on the Concept IAA for inspiration
Mercedes is displaying the car at Pebble Beach
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Mercedes is displaying the car at Pebble Beach
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 certainly has some presence on the lawn at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 certainly has some presence on the lawn at Monterey Car Week
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week 
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week 
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week 
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 on display at Monterey Car Week 
View gallery - 21 images

After teasing and taunting us, Mercedes has whipped the cover off the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 at Pebble Beach. The enormous coupe harks back to a time where excess wasn't frowned upon on the outside, but is thoroughly modern underneath the skin. Put simply, it looks brilliant.

There's always a risk that cars designed with one eye on the past will look overblown an unoriginal, but the Mercedes design team has managed to make the Vision 6 look modern and old-fashioned at the same time. It's a gorgeous piece of design, measuring up at almost 6 meters (19.6 ft) long for maximum impact.

Up front, the grille's vertical struts are inspired by pinstriped suits, and there's a traditional three-pointed star sitting proud of the nose. Lower down, the bumper is trimmed in chrome to match the grille. While we're talking about the nose, there's no avoiding the looooong bonnet stretching out in front of the cabin. In the past a high-powered V8 or V12 might have been nestled underneath, but in the Vision 6 the nose plays host to two specially designed suitcases.

Mercedes has drawn on classic aero-coupes for inspiration
Mercedes has drawn on classic aero-coupes for inspiration

Instead of relying on petrol power, the Mercedes-Maybach concept is fully electric. Total system output is 550 kW (750 hp), and the 80 kWh underfloor batteries are said to offer up over 500 km of range on the New European Drive Cycle (over 200 mi on the EPA cycle). Mercedes says that thanks to a 350 kW DC charging system it takes just 5 minutes to add 100 km (62 mi) of range, and wireless charging is also supported.

In spite of its size, the electric powertrain means the Vision 6 is still quick off the mark. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes less than four seconds, and the top speed is electrically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Take a walk along the side of the Vision, and eagle-eyed concept spotters will notice there are a few similarities to the Concept IAA launched in Frankfurt last year. The 24-inch wheels are based on the IAA's aero-shutter rims, and the sloping rear deck mimics the shape of its tail with the aerodynamic segments extended.

The car's seats were inspired by button-back lounges
The car's seats were inspired by button-back lounges

The exterior combination of old-world grandeur and modern technology is continued on the inside, where elm wood and soft leather contrast with a display integrated into the windscreen and upper dashboard. Although there are two traditional hooded dials sat behind the steering wheel, everything from mapping to seat settings are controlled through the wraparound glass screen, while the windscreen acts like a gesture-controlled HUD.

Both the driver and passenger sit in white lounge-style leather seats with built-in body sensors. Having measured an occupant's vital signs, the sensors are able to tweak the climate control, seat massaging and cabin lighting. In spite of the car's gargantuan size, Mercedes make no mention of any rear seats.

At the moment, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is just a concept. It's on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which runs until August 21.

Source: Mercedes

View gallery - 21 images
16 comments
16 comments
oldguy
Ominous music to introduce a big red thing... Donald Trump? No the Automobile version of an Opera!
dugnology
That just silly. But the frunk will have a huge amount of space. I like the fact that they are still using grills. They don't make sense on many ICE cars, and are not needed on an electric, but you gotta have them. Why don't they put a horse tail on the back and be really retro?
Tim Collins
This is a very ugly, poorly proportioned vehicle. i hope it never makes it into real life. It looks like it was designed by a demented teenager.
rik.warren
Can you imagine driving this behemoth in urban America. What craziness!
Michael Shewell
Yes, but will Lewis Hamilton drive one? And if so, how will he get it through the tight streets of Monaco.
Keith Reeder
"Can you imagine driving this behemoth in urban America?" Quite a lot of the world ISN'T urban America - just in case you hadn't noticed...
f8lee
Is it me, or is this a bit "Batman-esque"?
Island Architect
Sure looks gorpy to me!
Waaaaaaayyyh overdone.
CharlieSeattle
Standard garage length is 20 foot. I suppose that is irrelevant to a millionaire.
pickypilot
Despite other comments, I think it's gorgeous and would order one in a heartbeat. If you think it's ugly, instead hoping it doesn't make it into production, just don't buy one. Given the long wheelbase, a 110+ kWh battery would be feasible. Driving a Tesla for a year has given me an entirely new perspective on EVs. Bring it on!
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