The Vision One-Eleven electric concept car was recently introduced by Mercedes at the Carlsbad International Design Center (California). The Mercedes Vision One-Eleven is a blend of elements from the past and the future.

The design of the Vision One-Eleven is a combination of the classic C 111 concept with the new One-Bow design language that Mercedes-Benz has implemented since the EQS Sedan. The characteristic of this design is the smooth, slim body shape, which can only be done on electric vehicles. The Mercedes Vision One-Eleven has 2 doors designed in a unique gull-wing shape. The car is 1,160 mm high.

The Mercedes Vision One-Eleven has an orange exterior paint, similar to the C 111 concept but darker and with a hint of copper. Depending on the light and viewing angle, the car’s color may change.

The front of the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven has a very unique design with a digital screen, which would be the radiator grille if it were an internal combustion engine car. This screen has LEDs arranged in large pixel form, which can light up at 2 corners to act as headlights. Similarly, the rear of the car is also equipped with this screen strip.

The design of the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven has many aerodynamic details such as air intakes at the front of the car, front fenders that curve along the side panels or a large diffuser at the rear of the car. In addition, the car also has a large spoiler located in the rear of the car and will automatically open when reaching a certain speed, or can be activated manually.

Inside the cabin, the interior of the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven is dominated by white and silver with orange accents. The concept car has a 2-seater configuration with low-set seats, the seat cushions are integrated directly into the floor. The seat upholstery is made from 100% recycled polyester, which is environmentally friendly.

The Mercedes Vision One-Eleven features a speedometer that spans the entire dashboard area, along with a central entertainment screen mounted below. The rectangular steering wheel is inspired by the design of F1 racing cars of the past.

According to Mercedes, the Vision One-Eleven is the first sports car with an interior designed like a business-class lounge.

All of the car’s glass panels can become almost completely transparent when viewed from the inside, but still have the ability to cover up discreetly when viewed from the outside. In addition, the German car company has also developed a Magic Leap 2 virtual reality glasses accessory for drivers to use.

If the C 111 was a testbed for “unconventional” powertrains like the Wankel rotary engine in the 1970s, today’s Vision One-Eleven is also testing the incorporation of the latest axial electric motor technology developed by the British company YASA.

Specifically, the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven is equipped with 2 electric motors mounted on the front and rear axles. Mercedes said the advantages of this type of motor are that it is lighter, more compact and more powerful than the popular electric motors today.

Mercedes explains that the axial flux motor weighs a third of the equivalently powerful radial flux motor used in most electric cars today. The battery pack on the Vision One-Eleven features cylindrical, liquid-cooled cells, the result of Mercedes’ F1 development team.

Although the Vision One-Eleven is just a concept car, its attractive design will inspire future Mercedes cars.