Mercedes' Latest Concept Vehicle Appears as If It's Taken Directly from '90s Batman Cartoons.

      Mercedes/WB edited by author.

      The most significant car news and reviews, without the fluff

      Our complimentary daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter straight to your inbox every weekday.

      Mercedes-Benz hasn’t had the best few years in the design area, with many of its vehicles resembling amorphous shapes on wheels. However, that changes today—kind of—with the introduction of the Vision Iconic concept car, which, to a 38-year-old like me, feels like it’s pulled right from the Batman animated series of the ’90s.

      As you can see below, the likeness is striking. I would wager that at least one member of the design team noticed this during the creative process but remained silent. The exceptionally lengthy hood, the cabin pushed all the way to the rear, the way the canopy rises ahead of the back wheels and tapers into a pointed end—these elements are all reminiscent. But perhaps the most telling feature is the grille. It's nearly identical to the Batmobile's, although Mercedes asserts it draws inspiration from the design of the W108, W111, and the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman.

      Alright, enough about Batman.

      WB

      Mercedes-Benz Group AG

      Mercedes-Benz Group AG

      Mercedes

      Mercedes states that the design is influenced by “the brand’s rich heritage” and the classic era of design from the 1930s, while also being “designed for its future.” Perhaps that explains its retro appearance, combined with futuristic and amusing features like solar paint and something dubbed “neuromorphic computing.” Fortunately, it’s not designed to be fully autonomous—at least, not all the time. It includes Level 4 self-driving abilities, but according to the press release, it’s a capability rather than a constant function. It seems this car is intended to be driven—if it could be driven—but it can also operate on its own if desired.

      “Neuromorphic computing mimics the way the human brain works,” said Mercedes in their press release. “This could make AI computations significantly more energy-efficient and quicker. For instance, safety systems could better identify traffic signs, lanes, and other road users and respond more rapidly, even under poor visibility—being 10 times more efficient than current systems.”

      Mercedes-Benz Group AG

      Mercedes-Benz Group AG

      Mercedes-Benz Group AG

      Mercedes

      A remarkably thin paste serving as the paint for the Vision Iconic transforms the sleek coupe into a photovoltaic-active vehicle, allowing it to gain extra range by simply being in sunlight. According to Mercedes, the surface area of a mid-size SUV (around 11 square meters) coated in this paint could generate enough energy to enable an additional 7,500 miles of travel per year “under ideal conditions.”

      Like all concept cars, this one includes its share of ambitious technologies, but the design is what matters most. A concept car can symbolize the pinnacle of an automaker's innovation, yet if it’s unattractive, it won’t garner interest. Conversely, it can feature the most bizarre capabilities, and if half the press release doesn't make sense, but if it's aesthetically pleasing, it will receive admiration. No matter how you categorize the Vision Iconic, we can all agree that it’s absolutely breathtaking—just like that animated Batmobile.

      Got a tip? Email us at [email protected]