Mercedes is already eager about the sports activities automotive of the longer term and has developed an idea based mostly on the retro design of the experimental Mercedes C 111 fashions from the Nineteen Sixties and 70s. Known as the Mercedes Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven, it’s powered by a Yasa axial-flow engine.
Photograph: Mercedes-Benz
In contrast to BMW, Mercedes has all the time needed a supercar on the prime of its mannequin vary. There was the Mercedes 300 SL, then the Mercedes SLR McLaren, the Mercedes SLS AMG, the AMG GT, and most lately the AMG One.
Mercedes C111 experimental automobiles with Wankel and diesel engines
In 1969, Mercedes launched the primary model of the experimental C111 with a fiberglass physique and centrally mounted three-rotor direct-injection Wankel engine. In 1970 an evolution of the C111 with a four-rotor Wankel engine was introduced. 13 experimental Wankel engine fashions have been produced.
Mercedes later dropped the Wankel engine and adopted a diesel engine. The primary diesel prototype had 188 hp and the second 228 hp, with which the Mercedes C111 broke the velocity file on the Nardo circuit with 322 km/h. Ultimately, a one-off was additionally produced with a 4.8 liter 507 PS (500 HP) V8 petrol engine.
In 1991, Mercedes unveiled the C112 idea on the Frankfurt Motor Present with a 6-liter V12 engine with 408 hp, mid-mounted, and gullwing doorways. Though it obtained 700 orders, Mercedes by no means produced it.
Now Mercedes is making an attempt to revive the experimental C111 with a contemporary interpretation of a attainable electrical successor to the Mercedes-AMG GT.
First try of an electrical sports activities automotive: Mercedes SLS AMG Electrical Drive
Mercedes has tried as soon as earlier than to launch an electrical sports activities automotive. It was first the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell idea proven on the Detroit Motor Present in 2011 powered by 4 electrical motors with a complete output of 533 PS (526 HP). The 400V battery had a capability of 48 kWh.
Later, on the Paris Motor Present within the fall of 2012, Mercedes unveiled the manufacturing model of the SLS AMG Electrical Drive powered by 4 electrical motors with a complete output of 751 PS (740 HP). The 60 kWh battery weighed 548 kg (1,208 lb) and gave a spread of 250 km (160 miles). With an exorbitant price ticket of €416,500, solely 9 clients ordered it.
New know-how: YASA axial flux motors
Now, nevertheless, electrical propulsion know-how has come a great distance and in July 2021 Mercedes acquired British axial-flow electrical motor producer YASA. In axial flux motors, the electromagnetic subject develops parallel to the axis of rotation, moderately than perpendicular, as is the case in radial flux electrical motors utilized in 99% of at the moment’s electrical vehicles.
Axial flux motors are due to this fact considerably extra compact, lighter, and extra highly effective than radial flux electrical motors. An axial-flow motor is 3 times lighter than a radial-flow motor and takes up 3 times much less area. This opens up new views in sports activities mannequin design. The YASA engines can be produced at Mercedes’ Berlin-Marienfelde plant and can kind the idea of all sports activities fashions used on the longer term AMG.EA platform.
Mercedes Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven: Gullwing doorways
However now let’s come again to the Mercedes Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven. Just like the C111, C112, or 300 SL, Mercedes has saved the gullwing doorways which on this case have a a lot wider opening than on the 300 SL, and entry is significantly better as a result of the door sill is way decrease. Additionally, the facet home windows of the gullwing doorways are opaque from the surface and camouflaged by a pixelated sample.
The second eye-catcher is the extraordinarily low peak of just one,170 mm. By comparability, the Mercedes C111 was 1120 mm, 50 mm much less tall, whereas the C112 was 1200 mm tall. Although the copper-orange alubeam colour will not be similar to the C111, it reminds us of the yellow-orange hue of the C111.
Within the case of the Mercedes Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven, the paint is extra intense and adjustments in keeping with the sunshine.
The third factor that catches the attention is the extraordinarily low and brief entrance finish and the very flared wheel arches which are larger than the entrance bonnet line reminding us considerably of the VW W12 idea.
The fourth spotlight is the radiator grille which is a contemporary interpretation of the one on the C111. On the C111 it’s a closed plastic component with a honeycomb construction, fitted with spherical foglamps. Within the case of the Mercedes Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven, the grille is a versatile exterior show with a 3D pixelated look. It interprets the C 111’s attribute spherical lights in digitized kind and may also convey messages to different street customers.
On the rear, we discover a show much like the one on the entrance with the identical pixelated construction integrating the taillights. However the primary component is the extraordinarily beneficiant diffuser.
Revolutionary inside with AR
Mercedes says the Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven is the primary sports activities automotive with a lounge-like inside. As with self-driving ideas, the inside can take two kinds: race mode and lounge mode. In race mode with the backrest upright and the compact driver-oriented touchscreen, the inside turns into that of a minimalist driving machine.
In lounge mode, the seats are totally built-in into the inside sculpture which merges sills, heart tunnel, and baggage compartment right into a single unit.
The aluminum pedals are floor-mounted and polished aluminum inserts are discovered within the steering wheel rim and heart armrest. The seats are mounted straight on the ground and are much like Method 1 bucket seats with orange 4-point security belts. However not like Method 1, the backrest could be adjusted.
The flattened steering wheel consists of all the mandatory controls and has a driver-facing show hooked up. Above the steering wheel is a slender pixel show that spans all the width of the dashboard. This may very well be an evolution of the MBUX Hyperscreen with a concentrate on versatile interfaces.
When the driving force places on the Magic Leap 2 augmented actuality headset, their expertise is enriched with high-definition digital content material that’s contextually built-in into the surroundings.
Mercedes-Benz explored the advantages of augmented actuality (AR) within the F015 idea launched in 2015. The AR consumer interface presents a imaginative and prescient of the longer term that works on two ranges: data hooked up to the dashboard and knowledge positioned inside and out of doors the automotive. It marks the following step from the consumer interface based mostly on intuitive zero-layer know-how to an AR consumer interface that arranges zero-layer parts across the consumer in area. Components embody modules, 3D icons, and navigation maps.
The 180-degree AR view exhibits the surface across the automotive. Map parts are projected into the surroundings, which is enriched with extra data similar to locations of curiosity or hidden hazards similar to roadworks past a curve. Components that block visibility – such because the entrance pillar, doorways, and even the bonnet – then seem ‘clear’. Mercedes-Benz designers and specialists labored with the specialists at Magic Leap to develop and refine the AR expertise introduced in Imaginative and prescient One-Eleven utilizing the extremely superior Magic Leap 2 AR glasses.
