 This unique vehicle, whose innovative and unconventional
proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a new way,
represents an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and elegant
design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass give a
particularly exclusive look and feel to the luggage compartment which
incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering
a large load space. These attributes embody the two objectives of
ConceptFASCINATION – to provide a high level of practical usability
and to create a coupé which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling
lines. In developing this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus
to the long-established (although now rarely seen) "shooting brake", a vehicle
category with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the constraints of
a specifications book, the designers have created an automotive sculpture
with great aesthetic appeal which once again demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’s
high level of design expertise. ConceptFASCINATION is a unique jewel of
compelling automotive design which is distinguished by its irresistibly dynamic
lines yet still offers the benefits of a large luggage compartment. A
particularly notable feature of the design is that the practical load space
develops organically from the exciting and elegant lines of this lifestyle
coupé, giving it its special charisma. Inside, the tone is set by
fine, exceptional materials hand-crafted to the highest standard. Absolute
perfection and attention to detail make this design study an incomparable
gem which conveys at one and the same time a sense of sporty forward movement
and elegance, savoir-vivre and exclusivity of the highest level. Dr Dieter
Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, commented: "This
design study continues the long tradition of exciting coupés from
Mercedes-Benz in impressive style. With its emotionally appealing lines,
ConceptFASCINATION offers a completely new interpretation of the coupé.
Its aesthetic, dynamic looks and painstakingly crafted details ensure that
this study meets the highest design standards."
Driven by a new, powerful and economical
four-cylinder diesel engine
Not content with just indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION design
study impresses with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from
the new E-Class and include the new four-cylinder diesel engine which features
BlueTEC technology and develops 150 kW/ 204 hp from a displacement of 2.2
litres. Dr Thomas Weber, Daimler AG board member with responsibility for
Research and Development at Mercedes Benz Cars, said: "The show car not only
demonstrates a fascinating, new design idiom, but - with our new,
high-performance and economical diesel drive system using BlueTEC technology
- shows that Mercedes-Benz vehicles will also set standards in the future
in terms of sustainability as well as emotional appeal, driving pleasure
and comfort."
Taut, sharply contoured lines and finely sculpted
surfaces
 The design study’s elongated body is dominated
by the dynamic front-to-rear sweep of its lines which gives it a dynamically
charged look, evoking movement even when the vehicle is stationary. This
impression is emphasised by the long, frameless, side-window line which describes
a continuous arc from front to rear, uninterrupted by a B-pillar. As a result,
the large load space in the rear is integrated in the vehicle body cohesively
and harmoniously while also increasing the impression of length and creating
a remarkable sense of lightness. The side windows can be lowered completely
– one of the fundamental genetic markers of every Mercedes-Benz coupé
– to provide an uninterrupted view of the stylish way in which fine
materials have been used inside the vehicle. A sense of forward-flowing energy
is created by the wedge-shaped profile of the design study whose sides are
structured by taut, clearly defined lines which grow out of the surfaces
organically and disappear back into them in the same subtle way. Sensitively
sculpted surfaces, alternately concave and convex, are defined by the shoulder
line, undercut feature line and an additional line to form a gentle, yet
pronounced linear flow complemented by an intriguing interplay of light effects.
In short, flowing surfaces and arching structures create compelling forms.
The wheel arches are powerfully sculpted. In the rear wings in particular,
the rounded treatment of the flared wheel arches is characterised by a degree
of almost sensual exuberance – a classic Mercedes-Benz design element
of the past – which is taken to an elegant conclusion in the lines of
the rear. In order to maintain the flow of the surfaces and edges, the door
handles are visually extended rearward of the doors into the sides of the
vehicle. |
A self-assured front section with a new take
on the dual headlamp face
The distinctive front section of this gracefully built athlete is a picture
of self-assurance. It remains loyal to the dual headlamp face, but interprets
it in a more contemporary way. The now rhomboid headlamps, which are set
against a grey background reveal the fascinating technical details of the
light units which feature the latest LED technology as well as C-shaped
fibre-optic inserts which serve as discreet running lights. With its new,
sharper eyes and the surrounding lines and surfaces, the "face" of the
ConceptFASCINATION vehicle is both exciting and forceful. The bonnet of the
design study has pronounced contours with a central ridge which picks up
the V-shape of the front end and continues it along the vehicle body. Powerfully
framed, the single-louvre radiator grille with the central Mercedes star
makes a very dominant and expressive statement of the brand identity. A
distinctive front apron with a small double-wing assembly at the base gives
this design gem a wide, confident stance. The great attention to detail,
which can be sensed in the assurance of every line and the graceful sweep
of every surface, is exemplified to perfection by a special touch in the
front apron: a fine chrome trim strip runs all round the lower body of the
vehicle; at the front, LED fog lamps are set into this strip – turning
it into a sparkling piece of jewellery.
Forward-sloping rear with pronounced
V-shape
The forward-sloping rear also has a pronounced V-shape and features a spoiler,
below which the third brake light is reflected in the rear window. Flat,
horizontal LED lights which extend around the back, linking it visually with
the sides, emphasise the width. In a styling move which is both clever and
extremely harmonious, the undercut surround of the redesigned tail lights
flows into the rear wings, serving as yet another example of the painstaking
attention to detail by the Mercedes-Benz designers. As at the front, the
rear is completed by a small additional wing framed by four exhaust tailpipes.
Exquisite range of materials from the world
of equestrianism
A large panoramic glass roof and the arc described by the uninterrupted
side-window line bring a sense of visual lightness to the interior, too,
and help it to merge with the exterior. Fine materials, such as leather,
wood and aluminium, as well as high-quality woven fabrics and many carefully
crafted details ensure that the sporty and stylish character of the show
vehicle is also underlined by the interior. The exquisite range of materials
is inspired by the world of equestrianism and satisfies the most discerning
tastes. Recalling the look and feel of a saddle, thick, dark leather covers
the aluminium centre console which, like a bridge extending from the front
to the rear, spans the space between the four sporty individual seats and
translates the taut lines of the exterior to the interior of the vehicle
with minimalist elements. Strong and natural, this leather also covers the
upper section of the dashboard while its supple, flowing character means
that it also lends itself to enhancing the look and feel of the door armrests.
Contrast is provided by light, fine nubuck leather used for the other surfaces
and the four individual seats as well as by the deep-pile carpet with heavy
fibres. The seat centre panels are covered in strong, high-quality fabric.
Trim strips in American walnut with a fine chrome surround complete the portfolio
of materials. The characteristic V-shape of the exterior is picked up by
the dashboard whose styling evokes a dynamic wing and which features an
instrument cluster with five tubes and silver dials.
Luxurious load compartment with stylish
details
Painstakingly crafted details give the load compartment a particularly luxurious
and surprising character. The floor of the load compartment, which measures
approximately one metre square, is made of wood with brushed aluminium protective
rails. Folding up the floor at the left and right sides reveals two compartments
containing two sets of binoculars as well as a high-quality digital camera
with interchangeable Leica lenses – the perfect equipment for a day
at the races, for example. The centre of the load compartment is occupied
by a folding smoked glass table which rises out of the floor at the touch
of a button to reveal a compartment housing a humidor. The table can also
be pulled to the rear for easier access from outside. Doing so provides access
to a refrigerated compartment for drinks and champagne flutes. The smoked
glass can then be folded up at left and right to allow the vehicle occupants
to enjoy a picnic in a stylish and refined ambience.
Driven by new, powerful and economical four-cylinder
diesel engine
Not content with just indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION design
study impresses with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from
the future E-Class Coupé and include the new four-cylinder diesel
engine which features BlueTEC and AdBlue technology and develops 150 kW /
204 hp from a displacement of 2.2 litres.
Mercedes-Benz design studies look to future
styling trends
The ConceptFASCINATION study was not created merely to arouse interest in
a new and unusual design concept. It is much more a matter of giving designers
the opportunity to play around with unconventional topics, to look at things
in a new way and to explore new ideas. Design studies also serve to stimulate
a closer dialogue with customers and to gauge the public reaction to new
ideas for cars. They help Mercedes-Benz designers to get a feel for future
styling trends and to develop new design idioms. |
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