Mercedes-Benz Aria
Mercedes-Benz Aria is a vision of the luxurious mobility of 2030.
Even though electric powered, it still carries the qualities of a car which fascinate people: sleek silhouette, dynamic proportions, sexy sculpture. Due to its modern appeal it's a car to go to a disco club in New York in, flamboyant enough for Monaco and Dubai and yet sophisticated, elegant and authentic for a Concours d'Elegance.
Themes
I tended to do a car that has a timeless beauty, instead of being a fashionable design peace. So I asked myself, what body, which product has this quality? - Musical instruments.
The piano for example, when it's closed it looks elegant, classy, noble. It lives from its proportions and the surface finish. When open, one sees the keyboard, the strings etc. which put the product to another level. Despite their basic function, these elements give the object another, aesthetical quality. They give richness to it, they surprise the viewer. The same happens with the Aria. When you see the car on first glance you read the oblong form. You see a sculpture inspired by woman's body, violin, Coke-Bottle; supported by tensioned and articulated lines which give the car definition and character.
On second view you discover the aero pins which define the tail volume; you discover the attention to details on the wheels, the interior and so on.
The main inspiration for the exterior is the flying hair. Something very likeable, spontaneous and elegant. Beautiful long hair formed by the wind-is there something more aerodynamical?
For the design concept to be something special, it needs an X-factor. It needs a different dimension. Something unusual, provocative, impossible, maybe even bizarre. Therefore I continued my research in the world of fashion and modern architecture.
Front
The front of the car should represent its character. It should look concentrated on the road and be serious. That's why Alexander's helmet is being used as reference. It is a symbol of power, leadership and has also protective aesthetics. At the same time the traditional Mercedes-Benz grille is being subtly indicated.
The vehicle has wheel hub electric engines, so the air intakes are positioned on the sides instead of the center. The volumes around are dictated by the aerodynamics. The arrow like traditional Benz nose is still there to change the direction of the air. The fascia form ensemble is being supported by two shovel-formed blades which again divide the air and channel it to the E-engines and brakes respectively.
Side
When you see the car in sideview, you read the sleek trapezoid shape. Very stretched body, with very low greenhouse. The roofline is coupe-like and is subjunctively integrated in the body, for a better flow appearance. The character line is positioned very low and is a quotation of the Mercedes 500K Specialroadster. It supports the car's stylish appearance and by being analog to the roofline it also makes the car homogen and stresses the flow and the dynamic. The belt line is typically drop shaped, which again speaks about the aerodynamic efficiency of the car and gives it status and elegance. The front half of the shoulder edge has the opposite direction to give the car push-forward effect.
Surface management
The crisp character lines, in contrast, are connected by rather soft and mainly positive surfaces which show the car's muscles. The surfaces articulate the reflections to achieve dynamism also in the surface itself by avoiding too many creases and showing an interesting play of light and shadow. The radii and the direction changes on the surfaces are similar to those of a silk dress, which again speaks about the elegant appearance of the Aria.
Wheels
The wheels represent the electric drivetrain. It has a five-spoke configuration, but these are melted into a nice sculpture, as reference to the form language of the exterior. It has big depth which support the stance of the car. The volume is segmented to give the rim an electric feeling, to express the craft precision and to reduce weight. The wheel is secured by copper wires, which also optically support the electrical character as copper wires are used in the electric engine itself as working elements.
The Mercedes-Benz logo is pulled outside and has a floating impression. It is static when the car drives.
Interior
The main characteristic/innovation of the interior is its modularity and the way it is connected to the body of the car. The interior is not welded to the exterior but wired to the copper skeleton. This makes it easily interchangeable. Like your furniture at home, you can change the interior of your car, or you change the body style. This enables customers to better match their car with their needs and personality. Instead of buying a car as a package one can buy separately a body and separately an interior.
This innovative connecting system also allows better comfort. The wires have certain flexibility and represent a second suspension system. Inspired by a cradle, the system enables actually a flying sensation for the passengers.
The design statement set with the exterior is even stronger in the interior. The flow continues inside the car as well. It's represented by the main central metallic frame and continues on the conjunctive seats. At the front the "dashboard" is formed by two piano black leafs which "levitate" over the ray-shaped structure and enhouse the steering wheel as well as the airbags. The atmosphere in the cabin is very airy and roomy to give the feeling of freedom.
The contrast as art element has been used for choosing the forms and materials in the interior. There are 5 different materials/colours used. Copper and aluminium as strength factors, leather and piano black surfaces as symbol of high class, noblesse, exclusivity. The wood floor resembles a yacht deck.
