Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven: A Nostalgic Icon Gets an Electric Revamp

Mercedes-Benz unveils Vision One-Eleven, blending classic design with advanced electric technology.
Revolutionary interior features first-ever sports car lounge concept for ultimate comfort.
Innovative powertrain combines YASA axial-flux motor with high-performance, Formula-1 inspired battery.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a groundbreaking new sports car study named Vision One-Eleven, combining a dynamically advanced design with innovative all-electric powertrain technology. A marker of 21st-century style, the supercar silhouette adeptly embodies the Mercedes-Benz One-Bow design, highlighting the brand’s identity synonymous with iconic luxury.

A Fusion of Past and Future: The Design Legacy

Drawing inspiration from the legendary C 111 experimental vehicles from the 1960s and 70s, known for their radical Wankel and turbodiesel engines, the Vision One-Eleven brings the avant-garde appeal of these iconic models to the modern era. The contemporary adaptation bears clean, muscular proportions, evoking a surprise element while maintaining an air of familiar luxury.

The exterior of the One-Eleven is a masterful take on the One-Bow design. From the muscular rear to the low-slung front, the design sweeps smoothly, giving the vehicle an undeniably sculptural feel. Painted in a copper-orange alubeam, the car creates a powerful visual connection with its C 111 ancestor. Moreover, the design features flush-fit gullwing doors and large-diameter wheels beneath flared wings, reinforcing an image of an uncompromisingly sporty and aerodynamically refined driving machine.

Inside, the Vision One-Eleven houses the first sports car interior with a lounge concept. The space blends two disparate states: a minimalist driving machine in race mode, and a lounge-like atmosphere when in relaxation mode. The interior design manifests future luxury with contrasting colours and innovative material combinations, creating a distinctive and bold ambiance. The lounge-like interior encourages occupants to unwind, a completely novel approach for the sports car of the future.

Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven | Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Unleashing Performance: The High-Tech Powertrain

Vision One-Eleven takes a quantum leap in performance electric drive with the inclusion of YASA’s axial-flux motor. This innovative high-tech electric motor offers motorsport-like power from a significantly smaller package, making it an ideal choice for electric high-performance vehicles. The addition of a battery with high-performance liquid-cooled cylindrical cells, inspired by Formula-1 cell chemistry, places the Vision One-Eleven as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s electric drive development strategy.

In line with the immersive drive experience, Mercedes-Benz introduces an augmented reality (AR) user interface (UI) with the Vision One-Eleven. The AR UI delivers high-definition digital content that is contextually integrated into the user’s surroundings, morphing the entire car into a user interface. This exploratory UI sets the benchmark for a user experience that is seamless and unburdened by technology, paving the way for the future of extended reality.

Vision One-Eleven is a beacon for progressive design and technology, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to reimagine automotive luxury. By marrying iconic design cues with forward-thinking technology, it encapsulates the brand’s vision of the future and continues the legacy of the C 111 in the era of electric mobility.