Frankfurt 2015: Mercedes IAA concept has echoes of the past
A first look at Mercedes-Benz showcar conjures images of cars gone by
Mercedes has had quite the year, with its design team renewing just about every model in the range, and debuting one of the most significant show cars of the year, the F015.
It has now built on some of the F015’s themes with its IAA concept, showing how the frit dot painted glass works on a more car-like form, while emphasising the role of aerodynamics, hence the car’s name being an initialism of Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile.
We’re planning to cover the IAA’s creation at a later date, but one thing that got our attention was its similarities to cars of the past, from concept American streamliners of the ‘50s and ‘60s, to more modern cars – CDN contributor Drew Meehan noted how the rear arches recall the Jaguar XJ220 in particular.
Meanwhile a very influential designer asked: “Have you seen the GM concept at the Mercedes booth?”
But the car that really sprang to mind was one of Patrick le Quément’s last Renault concepts, the Ondelios shown in 2008. The front mask, simple surfaces and extruded tail are all reworked on the Mercedes, so it’ll be interesting to find out if Mercedes’ design team are big Renault, as well as retro, car fans.
