Avatar: The Approach Of Water is the long-awaited sequel to James Cameron’s visually beautiful 2009 blockbuster, however the fantasy planet of Pandora will change into earthbound by way of an idea automobile from one in all our favourite European automakers.
The Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient AVTR first debuted in 2020, however the three-pointed star is trotting it out but once more to commemorate the discharge of the second Avatar movie. We lately had the chance to rise up shut and private with the Imaginative and prescient AVTR, the place we noticed each its uncommon bodywork and futuristic propulsion system up shut.
In case you squint, the Imaginative and prescient AVTR bears a resemblance to Mercedes’ current EQ lineup of electrical autos. The daring grille panel, for instance, sports activities a centrally positioned Mercedes-Benz star, however consists of some distinctive design touches to assist it really feel extra three-dimensional and complicated. The sleek bodysides, likewise, recall such autos because the Mercedes EQS sedan, although the total glass doorways promise a novel view out of the automobile.
Past that, nevertheless, the AVTR is the stuff of idea automobile goals. The rear deck options dozens of little scales that retract into the bodywork for max aerodynamics when applicable, however they’ll additionally tilt ahead to offer downforce, backward for an air-brake impact, or facet to facet to behave as a rudder when cornering. Lights illuminating the scales work hand-in-hand with the taillights and indicators, leaving no query as to your intentions.
The bubble-shaped rolling inventory is comprised of a strong sheath of rubber that wraps onto the wheel faces. The wheels themselves have a modern flower design that ties into the Avatar sequence’ themes of conservation and preserving the fantastic thing about nature. What’s extra, there’s four-wheel steering that may even transfer the AVTR sideways.
As you method the Imaginative and prescient AVTR, it “involves life” with a glowing ballet of LED animations and a examine management of these rear deck scales, and the whole middle console strikes up and down gently, as if the automobile is respiration. Mercedes says that is to underscore the connection between the operator and the machine, much like the connection between the Na’vi and their flying banshees. Enter the Imaginative and prescient AVTR and the leaned-back seats envelop you barely, and as you progress your hand towards the middle console, a single trackpad rises to fulfill your palm. Shifting it ahead and backward has the identical impact on the automobile, predictably.
However in the event you twist the highest of the trackpad and push it ahead, the automobile strikes laterally, supplying you with extra flexibility over the way you wish to drive. What’s extra, you may mix motions – a twist with ahead, backward, or left and proper – to offer immense management in tight confines. It feels as if the AVTR may make a U-turn as slim as its wheelbase or parallel-park in an area with only a few inches of room. It’s a weird expertise, however one which’s a complete lot of enjoyable.
Now, being an idea automobile, the Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient AVTR had a restricted high velocity, and we weren’t allowed to drive it exterior the parking zone. However I can safely say that the beautiful present automobile supplied extra thrills than we’ve ever had at 20 miles per hour, and the appears to be like it bought from passersby had been hilarious.
It’s unclear if the Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient AVTR will truly make an look within the movie Avatar: The Approach Of Water. Whether or not or not the people within the movie cruise round in Benzes, it’s nonetheless very cool that Mercedes constructed a car that backed up its futuristic styling with an equally forward-thinking driving expertise.
