Merc CMF lead talks luxury and innovation

Colour and trim (C&T) was once perhaps an underappreciated field of automotive design, but with such a heavy focus on interiors across almost every vehicle segment, there has never been a better time to be working in C&T.

At the same time, new expectations around sustainability are shaking up the mix of materials that can realistically be deployed, steering designers down new avenues and redefining what is expected of a luxury interior. With this in mind, we caught up with Occa Büchner, who heads up C&T material innovations at Mercedes-Benz, to discuss the latest trends and challenges facing those in the trade.

Michael Nash: What is exciting about working in C&T at the moment?

Occa Büchner: Working in colour and materials is, and always has been, very exciting. The electrification of our business had a deep impact on our work, our thoughts, our strategies, and of course on our designs.

We created the EQ line from a blank sheet of paper. The need for electric vehicles is founded in a strong consciousness of sustainability and environmental tasks, but people still want to surround themselves with beautiful, luxurious, special and extraordinary designs – no matter the shape or material. So we aim to define the next level of extraordinary luxury while always meeting sustainable goals, constantly developing and evolving our brand. Good examples to look at are our Vision EQXX and our Concept Mercedes-Maybach Haute Voiture, launched earlier this year.

MN: What does sustainability mean to Mercedes-Benz when it comes to C&T?

OB: We are pursuing a holistic approach. Sustainability is a guiding principle of all development activities at Mercedes-Benz and is being taken into account from the early stages of product development. We call this approach “Design for Environment”: the composition of all materials to be used is reconsidered and possibilities for more sustainable alternatives are examined. This applies to surface materials and to the materials that are not visible to the customer. We are constantly looking into innovative manufacturing processes where raw materials grow into luxurious and sustainable materials in the laboratory through the power of biotechnology.

MN: Can you give an example of biotechnology in use?

OB: We presented some highly innovative materials in our Vision EQXX programme. For example, we introduced a high-strength, biotechnology-based and certified-vegan silk-like fabric. Because of its strength as well as its beautiful characteristics, we made it easily visible but gave it a functional requirement – it is used for the door pulls. We also used a leather alternative made from the underground rootlike structure of mushrooms called mycelium in the details of the seat cushions. The special thing about it is that it marks a completely new category of material created with biotechnology.

MN: How is the evolution of the digital cockpit impacting C&T?

OB: The influence of the digital world on colour and materials can be seen in our EQ family. The Hyperscreen is the key player of the interior, and the shape of the dashboard flows in a smooth and precise manner around it. The elegant, warm and luxurious design of the IP and door-panels set a contrast against the Hyperscreen, as well as the refined seats with their stitched graphic. With our color combinations, especially the playful warm and cold shades of our Macchiato-beige combined with space gray, we build the bridge between the interior shape and the digital high-tech world we have on the Hyperscreen.

Digitalisation also influenced the creation of the EQ-specific grain – the Neotex. This grain is mainly inspired by a fine and smooth buckskin, but the final appearance shows a high-tech version – something between natural buckskin and neoprene. So again we build a bridge between the warm and elegant to the cool, digital world. This theme is also present in the trim design, particularly the hybrid wood-aluminum which combines the cool and techy appearance of aluminum with the warmth of real wood.

MN: What are your thoughts on smart surfaces, and will the development of new materials enable more of them in the vehicle?

OB: Smart surfaces offer the possibility to hide functions in a new way, to calm the appearance of the interior and connect the driver to the car in a special and more intense way. So-called “shy-tech” is a good example – if a function is needed, an illuminated symbol could appear on the centre console, for example. If you touch the symbol, the function is activated, and it might provide some haptic feedback. But when the function is not needed, the symbol is hidden. Surfaces usually used for functional parts like switch panels on a door can be created in a new way to accommodate these features, and our common design thinking that governs these surfaces may need to change.

The Vision AVTR gives several examples of how materials can interact and communicate. The car responds to the approach of the passengers by visualising the energy and information flow of the environment with digital neurons that flow through the grille through the wheels to the rear area. The first interaction in the interior between passenger and vehicle happens intuitively via the control unit: by placing the hand on the centre console, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognises the driver from their breathing. The AVTR thus establishes a biometric connection with the driver.

MN: How important is C&T when it comes to creating an emotional connection between vehicle and user?

OB: The design of colour and materials builds a direct connection and relationship between vehicle and passenger. Even the first impression of a car is mainly influenced by its colour. It is a very emotional process that happens subconsciously – does the observer like a vehicle or not? The second connection takes place when the driver enters the car, with the body and skin directly touching the materials. Does it feel good? Does it feel soft? Is it nice to touch? Does the colour and atmosphere support personal well-being? Are the details refined? These connections last much longer than the first impression made by looking at the exterior because they are physical and are experienced on many levels.

MN: What would be your dream C&T project?

OB: A really special and outstanding project was creating the EQ family, starting from the development of the strategy and then implementing our ideas in the EQC show car. We have then evolved our strategy and applied it to the EQS and EQE. But when I think of my dream project for the future, I can’t provide any details just yet. Maybe in a couple of years.