What happens when Mercedes looks back at its 1930s legends to imagine the EVs of tomorrow? The answer is electric—and a little bit magical.
Every once in a while, a car concept drops that makes you stop scrolling. The Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic is one of those. Unveiled in Shanghai, it’s a wild mix of vintage glam and sci-fi thinking—a car that looks like it belongs in both The Great Gatsby and Blade Runner.
Now, this isn’t something you’ll be buying anytime soon. Mercedes calls it a “design study,” which is car-world code for a look at what might be coming next. And if you squint, you can totally see shades of the next S-Class or EQS hiding in there.
Rolling art with a digital heartbeat
At first glance, the Vision Iconic feels like a time traveler from the 1930s. That upright grille? Lit from within like a crystal chandelier. The long, swooping hood? Pure grand-tourer drama. It borrows inspiration from icons like the 540K and 300 SL, but instead of chrome and gasoline, it’s running on electrons and LED magic.
The inside is just as dreamy. Imagine a Zeppelin-style dashboard wrapped in glass and brass, velvet seats you’d never want to leave, and a cabin that feels like a retro lounge floating through the future. It’s the kind of place you’d sip coffee while your car drives itself.
Mercedes’ design chief Gorden Wagener summed it up perfectly: “The Vision Iconic shows that technology can have soul.” You can almost hear it purr when the lights come on.
Future tech, wrapped in nostalgia
Underneath the vintage charm is a surprising amount of futuristic tech. Mercedes packed in features that hint at what’s next for its high-end EVs:
- Level 4 autonomy: The car can handle most of the driving, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
- Neuromorphic computing: Think of it as a car brain that learns and adapts while using way less energy.
- Steer-by-wire: Steering with no physical connection—just digital precision.
- Solar-infused paint: Panels built right into the body soak up sunlight to add a few free miles every day.
- Dynamic lighting: Lights that communicate, pulse, and glow to match your surroundings.
It’s not about specs or horsepower here. It’s about showing what’s possible when design and tech hold hands.
Where it fits in Mercedes’ big EV story
Mercedes has been building up a family of “Vision” cars, and each one tells a different chapter of its electric journey:
- Vision EQS (2019): sleek and digital—the minimalist chapter.
- Vision EQXX (2022): all about range and efficiency—the brainy one.
- Vision Iconic (2025): the emotional one—heart over numbers.
The EQXX was all science and spreadsheets. The Iconic? It’s vibes and storytelling. It’s a reminder that not every EV needs to look like a spaceship—it can look like a piece of history reborn. And bits of its tech—like solar paint or smart computing—are likely to show up in future production cars.
Why people are talking about it
Electric cars are getting faster, smarter, and quieter—but also kind of samey. The Vision Iconic shakes that up. It’s Mercedes saying, “Hey, luxury can still have personality.”
It’s elegant but playful. Old-school but forward-thinking. And it proves that even in the EV era, cars can still stir emotion—not just efficiency.
If this is what Mercedes’ future looks like, sign us up.
Last Updated on October 15, 2025 by Lucy
