Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven Is A Modern Day Take On The C 111

Considering Mercedes-Benz invented the car in 1885, you can forgive them for considering its back catalogue as kind of important. But given that retro is a dirty word these days in the automotive design community, what should we make of the new Vision One-Eleven? Nerdy car fans will immediately recognise the debt it owes to a 1969 concept car called the C111. This was a lissom, space-age projectile that saw Mercedes’ design team loosen the shackles. Check out the copper-infused over-black colour scheme and the gullwing doors, themselves a reprise of a configuration Mercedes-Benz made its own with the 1954 300 SL.

Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG said, “Our goal at Mercedes-Benz is not to do styling – our goal is to create icons. To me, that makes the difference between mainstream design and luxury. Design icons like the Type 300 SL and C 111 – both with gullwing doors – are part of our DNA. These legendary vehicles were major inspirations for the iconic design of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven.”

But enough about the colour palette. Let's dig into the juicy details of this fully electric showbiz statement of intent. At first glance, you might mistake it for a mid-engined beast, just like the original C111. But surprise, surprise! It's packing axial flux motors on each wheel and a massive battery pack. Now, these motors come all the way from a British company called Yasa, which Mercedes decided to snatch up completely in 2021. The price? Well, they're keeping that little secret locked up tight.

Now, why are these axial flux motors so special, you ask? They're smaller, lighter, and more powerful than those run-of-the-mill radial flux ones. It's like having the whole package delivered with a cherry on top. Of course, there was still some tinkering to be done, but Mercedes was smitten with what it saw.

The gullwing doors are massive, flush-fitting doors that make a statement. And what's with those opaque side windows? They've got this cool pixellated pattern going on like they're straight out of a futuristic video game. But wait, there's more! Underneath, the upper surface of the car is rocking some seriously graphic aerodynamic elements. It's like a symphony of sleekness and speed.

Up front, we've got a subtle front spoiler, just to tease you a little. But as you move along the sides and reach the rear, things start to get wild. I'm talking about a massive diffuser that screams "aerodynamics" and a cutaway body section that gives you a peek at those rear tires. It's like the car is saying, "Hey, check out my wheels and my mean rear end!"

In the end, it's clear that the creative minds behind this beauty, led by Mr. Wagener himself, have a soft spot for the endurance racing cars of the '70s and '80s. They've channelled that retro energy and injected it into the Vision One-Eleven, creating a fusion of old-school cool and futuristic flair. It's like a time machine on wheels, ready to whisk you away to a world where speed and style reign supreme.