Mercedes-Maybach 6 shown at Pebble Beach
Every August, classic car fans from around the world converge on Pebble Beach in California for car week.
This gathering of magnificent classic cars was the perfect place to premiere the exclusive Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, a sensational luxury-class coupe.
The 2+2-seater is a homage to the glorious age of the aero coupés and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future.
The coupe reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extreme way, following the Mercedes design philosophy of sensual purity.
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which measures almost six metres in length, is designed as an electric car.
The drive system has an output of 750 hp.
The shallow under floor battery allows a range of over 500 kilometres according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA).
The classic aesthetic proportions of the show car – the extremely long bonnet, the low roofline and the rearward positioning of the greenhouse – recall the aero coupés of days gone by.
But this is not retro design. This is a reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles.
Even without aids such as spoilers, the airflow hugs the contours of the vehicle body and only breaks away very late at the tail end of the vehicle.
Then there is the surprisingly technoid character of the narrow lights, the partially transparent rims and the split rear window.
A pinstriped suit inspired the grille. The radiator grille rests on two aerodynamically shaped supports on the outer right and left of the bumper.
The distinctive 24-inch wheels are a development of the aero rim from the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile).
A further highlight is provided by the gullwing doors, a hallmark Mercedes design element which has been brought up to date.
They underline the sporty character of the vehicle's silhouette and feature innovatively designed aluminum trim. The exterior mirrors designed as cameras are supported on the wings.
The extended, round "boat tail" format of the Vision MercedesMaybach 6's rear recalls a luxury yacht, and narrow tail lights which emphasize the width of the vehicle are integrated in its outer edges.
Above this sit the two extremely shallow rear windows ("split window"). Further distinctive features at the rear include the diffuser with aluminum frame and the air outlets behind the wheel arches.