Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, posed a compelling question at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: “Where do we take it from here?” His answer arrived in the form of a groundbreaking global partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the creators of the Avatar cinematic universe. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment in the pursuit of carbon-neutral vehicle production and underscores the urgent need for a sustainable future in the automotive industry.
This unique alliance gave birth to the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR – an acronym for “Advanced Vehicle Transformation.” This concept car transcends conventional automotive design, forging unprecedented interactions between humanity, technology, and the natural world. Drawing profound inspiration from Avatar, the VISION AVTR embodies a visionary perspective on the automotive landscape yet to come.
Echoing the harmonious existence of the Na’vi with their environment, the VISION AVTR is meticulously engineered for sustainable operation, achieving zero emissions while fostering a deeper connection with the world around us. Its comprehensive system operates entirely independently of fossil fuels, harnessing graphene-based organic cell technology devoid of rare and toxic materials. This innovative power source empowers the vehicle with an impressive range of 435 miles, complemented by conductive charging technology that enables a full recharge in a mere 15 minutes. Significantly, the organic battery components are designed to be compostable and recyclable, underscoring the crucial importance of a future circular economy within the automotive sector.
Mercedes-Benz designers have breathed life into the machine, pioneering intuitive interactions previously confined to imagination. The VISION AVTR experience immerses occupants in a symbiotic relationship between driver and the natural environment, seamlessly merging human and machine. A curved display module unveils real-time 3D visualizations of natural wonders, showcasing locations like the Huangshan mountain range in China, the towering 379-foot Hyperion Tree in California, and the strikingly pink Lake Hillier in Australia. These visualizations extend beyond the visible spectrum, illustrating natural forces such as bioenergy, magnetic fields, and ultraviolet light, bringing the unseen wonders of nature into the vehicle cabin.
Stepping inside the VISION AVTR is an immersion in revolutionary design, delivering a powerful statement of progressive luxury. The dynamic interior contours and ambient light strips subtly incorporate elements inspired by nature. Eschewing traditional buttons and switches, the vehicle’s functions are projected directly onto the driver’s body or hand, creating an intuitive and seamless integration of human intention with machine response. At the heart of the interior, the center console – symbolizing the Tree of Souls from the Avatar films – extends upwards, forming a roof structure composed of transparent surfaces, dynamic colors, and holographic effects. Further blurring the lines between technology and nature, sections of the interior are crafted with color-changing fabrics, creating a captivating interplay with natural light and further enhancing the sensory experience.
The exterior of the VISION AVTR stands as a tangible dialogue between luxury aesthetics and sustainable principles, a true sculpture in motion. The elongated “One Bow” design showcases a continuous loop structure, further echoing the Na’vi inspiration, while fiber optic elements pulsate throughout the vehicle’s form, resembling neural pathways and visually representing the flow of energy into the wheels. Each wheel is independently powered, enabling a remarkable rotation of up to 30 degrees, allowing for a unique crab-like sideways movement, enhancing maneuverability and agility. Perhaps most strikingly, the 33 multi-directional moveable surface elements, or “bionic flaps,” engage in an otherworldly ballet, facilitating communication between the vehicle and the external environment, adding another layer to the intuitive interaction at the heart of the VISION AVTR concept.
The world was first captivated by the awe-inspiring Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept car at its global debut on January 6, 2020, during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This vehicle is not just a concept; it’s a bold statement about the future of automotive design, sustainability, and the evolving relationship between humans and their vehicles.
