“Where do we take it from here?” This pivotal question, posed by Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, marked the inception of a groundbreaking global partnership. Mercedes-Benz joined forces with the creators of the Avatar films to embark on a journey toward carbon-neutral vehicle production and underscore the urgent need for a sustainable future. This collaboration gave rise to the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR, an acronym for “Advanced Vehicle Transformation,” a concept car that pushes the boundaries of automotive possibility and embodies a visionary future.
Inspired deeply by the world of Avatar, the VISION AVTR is more than just a car; it’s a concept that explores a completely new paradigm of interaction between humans, machines, and nature. It represents Mercedes-Benz’s visionary outlook on the automotive dreams of tomorrow, drawing parallels with the Na’vi’s harmonious existence with their environment. The design philosophy of the VISION AVTR centers on sustainable operation with zero emissions, aiming to reconnect drivers with the natural world.
Sustainable Design and Technology at its Core
The Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR is engineered to operate independently of fossil fuels, thanks to its pioneering graphene-based organic cell technology. This innovative battery technology eliminates the need for rare and toxic materials, championing environmental responsibility. Despite its eco-conscious design, the VISION AVTR doesn’t compromise on performance, boasting an impressive 435-mile range and utilizing conductive charging technology that allows for a full recharge in a mere 15 minutes. Furthermore, highlighting the importance of a circular economy, the organic battery components are fully compostable and recyclable, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the automotive industry.
Inspired by Avatar: Merging Nature and Machine
Mercedes-Benz designers sought to infuse the VISION AVTR with intuitive interactions, creating a symbiotic relationship between the driver and the surrounding natural environment. This concept blurs the lines between human and machine, offering an immersive experience unlike any other. The vehicle features a curved display module that projects real-time 3D graphics of natural wonders, such as China’s Huangshan mountain range, California’s towering Hyperion Tree, and Australia’s striking Pink Lake Hillier. These visualizations bring to life natural forces often unseen, like bioenergy, magnetic fields, and ultraviolet light, enriching the driving experience with the wonders of the natural world.
The interior design of the VISION AVTR further emphasizes this connection to nature, adopting dynamic contours and light strips that echo organic forms. Eschewing traditional buttons and switches, the vehicle projects its functions onto the driver’s body or hand, creating a seamless and intuitive interface. At the heart of the interior, the center console is designed to resemble the Tree of Souls from Avatar, extending upwards to form a transparent roof structure that plays with light, colors, and hologram effects. Adding to the immersive ambiance, color-changing fabrics within the interior respond to natural light, further weaving together the elements of nature and technology.
Futuristic Exterior and Unconventional Movement
The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR is a striking embodiment of progressive luxury and sustainability. The stretched “One Bow” design creates a fluid loop structure, directly inspired by the Na’vi’s way of life. Fiber optics pulse throughout the vehicle’s exterior, mimicking neural pathways and visualizing energy flow into the wheels. Each wheel is engineered with independent drive capabilities, allowing for rotations of up to 30 degrees, enabling a unique sideways, crab-like movement. Perhaps most remarkably, the 33 multi-directional moveable surface elements, or “bionic flaps,” create an otherworldly aesthetic while facilitating communication between the vehicle and its external environment, further enhancing the symbiotic relationship with the outside world.
The Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept car made its global debut on January 6, 2020, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, captivating audiences and setting a new vision for the future of sustainable and luxurious automotive design.
