Mercedes-Maybach ‘Vision 6 Cabriolet’ unveiled

There were a number of new production and concept car reveals at this year’s Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach concours in California, but none were as jaw-dropping as the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet concept.

A soft top version of the Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupe that was revealed at the same event last year, the Vision 6 Cabriolet is impressive for its size if nothing else, measuring 5.7 metres long x 2.1 metres wide, with a steeply raked windscreen contributing to the concept’s low 1.34 metre height.

While inspired by coachbuilt cars from the past – “automotive haute couture” as Mercedes calls it – the Vision 6 Cabriolet features modern running gear in the form of a fully electric drivetrain.

The four compact electric motors have a combined output of 550kW and essentially give the concept all-wheel drive. An underfloor battery with quick-charge function gives the vehicle a range of over 500km, a claimed 0-100km/h time of under four seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h.

With an extremely long bonnet and almost equally long rear deck, the concept’s proportions are said to be inspired by art deco design, but the rounded body treatment at both ends give the cabriolet a yacht-like look, which is reinforced by the "nautical blue metallic" paint and other styling touches.

A chrome-accented feature line defines the upper body, running from the grille (whose fine bars were supposedly inspired by a pinstripe suit) to the wraparound slimline tail lights. A similar chrome trim line running down the middle of the boot lid incorporates a brake light.

The 26-spoke, 24-inch alloys evoke classic wire wheels, and feature a centre lock painted in rose gold, a colour shade used on all electric vehicle studies from Mercedes-Benz, that’s also incorporated into the stitching for the convertible top.

The curved and fluid treatment of the exterior is continued inside, with the seats and centre console flowing into each other in what Mercedes calls a ‘360-degree luxury lounge’.

Those seats, centre console, door cards and much of the rest of the interior is trimmed in ‘crystal white’ high-quality nappa leather, with buttons (which are actually blue backlit Mercedes logos) giving the seats a quilted look.

This is broken by a blue glass ‘display strip’ that links the doors, dashboard and area behind the seats and also incorporates the infotainment screen and other touch controls. A similar treatment for the transparent centre console tunnel includes blue fibre optics to suggest the concept’s electrical energy.

What Mercedes calls a "hyperanalogue" treatment for the controls and instrumentation combines analogue elements, like traditional look gauges, with modern digital technology, like head-up displays and advanced voice recognition.

The rest of the interior is quite minimalist, with a timber-trimmed floor continuing the yachting inspiration.

"The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet takes modern luxury into the realms of the ultimate in luxury, and is the perfect embodiment of our design strategy,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG.

“Breathtaking proportions combined with a luxurious "haute couture" interior help to create the ultimate experience.”