In combination with the low-profile front headlamps with three lamp units, the grille dominates the front view of the vehicle while emphasising its brand affiliation. The large air inlets along with the horizontal air inlet with integral chrome blades underline the sportiness of the SUV saloon while lending it a dynamic look. The air inlets are crossed by the brand’s typical honeycomb pattern. A continuous trim strip extends from the split bonnet across the roof through to the rear end. Unlike a conventional saloon, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury offers a significantly higher, SUV-typical seating position and therefore a sublime driving experience.
This addresses the desire of many customers for a feeling of protection and security – a challenge for the designers. Ultimately, the task was to harmoniously transfer the familiar three-box design – bonnet, passenger compartment and boot – to an SUV-like architecture. This produces an interesting tension between the poles of sportiness and Mercedes-Maybach luxury.
The highlight of the Mercedes-Benz user experience in the Vision Mercedes‑Maybach Ultimate Luxury is the comprehensive touch control concept – a combination of touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and Touch Control buttons in the steering wheel. Alongside the intuitive control experience, reduced driver distraction is a further advantage. The control concept of the free-standing Widescreen Cockpit comprises three levels with rising information density: home screen, base screen and a submenu.
The voice control adjusts to the user’s voice and adapts new vogue words or changed use of language. In addition, the system does not employ stereotypical responses, but uses interactive variation. On the aesthetic front, it is based on the traditional Chinese ink painting style with its simplicity, white surfaces and balanced proportions.