Mercedes-Benz Concept Pays Homage to the Past

Unveiled at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet offers an insight into what the German car maker’s luxury models could one day look like.

The car measures almost six metres in length – mostly made up by its long bonnet, which folds up to reveal a fully stocked dinner service and space for luggage. It is also the first open-top Maybach model produced by Mercedes-Benz in a number of decades.

The sweeping exterior is based on a yacht, and is painted in a dark blue named "nautical blue metallic", with chrome highlights on its sides, bonnet and boot. The grille is based on the lines on a pinstripe suit, while alloy wheels are plated with rose gold.

Wood flooring – also a nod to yachting –appears throughout the interior, under the bonnet and in the boot.

"The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is a car which, with its sensual, emotionally appealing design and innovative technical concept solutions, defines the ultimate in luxury of the future," says Mercedes-Benz.

"At the same time, the two-seater model pays homage to the glorious automotive haute couture of hand-finished, exclusive cabriolets. The glamorous cabriolet reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extravagant way and combines intelligent beauty with classic, aesthetic proportions and a reduced, 'technoid' appearance."

Display elements are integrated into a digital strip that runs around the doors, dashboard and the rear of the car. But to contrast with this futuristic look, classic round dials remain in place.

To keep up with the needs of future drivers, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is also equipped with touch-sensitive controls, a mapping function that links to calendar appointments, and a "concierge" that acts on voice command.

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet follows on from the company's Vision Tokyo – a self-driving concept vehicle created for "young, urban trendsetters" – and the drone-equipped Vision Van that features fully automated cargo loading and drones that drop off packages.