Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday took the wraps off its Vision Iconic coupe concept with a bold Art Deco-inspired design, which also previews the next-generation S-Class due for a global debut in 2028. As per a report by Autocar UK, the 2-door concept hints at the return of a coupe and convertible to the brand’s line-up in the future. The Mercedes Vision Iconic concept was unveiled at the luxury car brand’s design house in Shanghai, China, and comes with the carmaker’s most advanced technologies.
- Vision Iconic draws design cues from several iconic Mercedes cars
- It is the second car after the GLC EV to feature Mercedes’s illuminated grille
- New nanoparticle-based paint captures sunlight to add up to 12,000km of range per year
2025 Mercedes Vision Iconic concept exterior
GLC EV-like illuminated grille, nanoparticle-based solar paint
The 5-slat version of Mercedes’s illuminated grille, which has been inspired by vintage models like the 1900 Mercedes 35 PS and the 1956 300Sc, has to be one of the most striking design features of the luxury coupe. We first saw the new grille design on the GLC EV, but unlike the upcoming SUV, which has the lit-up 3-pointed star in the centre, the coupe places it above the nose. The star motif also features in the slim, pointed headlights.
Its long bonnet and swept-back cabin are said to be influenced by Mercedes coupes from the 1930s. The sides also showcase huge 7-spoke, aero-optimised wheels, fenders with curved vents and polished brass door handles. Chrome is used sparingly along the sides, accenting the area under the doors and framing the windows. The car’s sloping rear roofline appears to take cues from the 1954 300 SL, rounded off by slim LED tail-lights, a Mercedes logo (not illuminated like at the front) and a thin chrome strip under the mostly plain bumper.
Mercedes is also testing a nanoparticle-based paint that can be added to an electric vehicle’s body, similar to a wafer-thin paste. On the Vision Iconic, this could capture enough sunlight to add up to 12,000km of range per year under ideal conditions. The coating is recyclable, doesn’t use rare earth metals and can generate power even when the car is switched off.
2025 Mercedes Vision Iconic concept interior
4-spoke steering wheel, front bench seat
The Vision Iconic’s interior is designed to feel more like a lounge than a traditional car cabin. The dashboard’s centrepiece is a floating glass structure called the Zeppelin, which mixes analogue parts with digital displays. The front bench seat, upholstered in deep blue velvet, allows both occupants to sit together comfortably. The old-school, 4-spoke steering wheel has the Mercedes logo inside a glass sphere, and the floor is covered in straw marquetry.
2025 Mercedes Vision Iconic driving tech
To support up to Level 4 ADAS, steer-by-wire
Mercedes has equipped the prototype with Level 2 ADAS features that can handle urban driving, assisting with steering and acceleration in traffic. However, the brand claims that the car is being developed to eventually support Level 4, where the driver could relax or even take a nap while it drives. Once at the destination, it can park on its own without human input.
The concept also uses steer-by-wire technology, meaning there’s no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This setup allows quicker, more precise control and easier manoeuvring while freeing up space in the cabin. Combined with rear-axle steering, it should make the long car feel more agile and easier to park.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
