An apparent leak on social media looks to have revealed the upcoming Mercedes-AMG electric sedan months before its debut. Expected to be rolled out at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, this coming September, some polarising design choices have been made by the looks of it with an outrageous overall result.
Shared on Instagram by liucunyi_starandcar, the ultra-aerodynamic sedan seems to borrow heavily from the ultra-aerodynamic Vision EQXX concept, with an orange paint shade harkening back to the C-111 experimental prototype of the 1970s.
A gaping maw, with chrome teeth and an LED halo from a very Maserati MC20-esque headlamp cluster highlight the front. Air is channelled through massive front venturi ducts passing through the bodywork of the bonnet section, as well as integrated cannards, rear venturi and slippery bodywork. Carbon fibre wheel covers with orange highlights are adorned with whitewall Michelins.
An exciting and futuristic cockpit looks like it means business, with a minimalist dashboard consisting of a curved IP/infotainment panel, floating vents and red light elements. Three-point harnesses and pull straps for the doors point to mind-bending performance. The overall design philosophy feels like the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, with a minimalist, driver-moulded cabin.
A curious addition is the LED light matrix at the rear, housing triple stovetop style lighting elements and a customisable screen for messaging. If this feels like something you’d more likely see in Chinese cars, that’s probably not a coincidence.
At the coming IAA Mobility show, German carmakers will be keen to counter recent commentators and news outlets suggesting that China has surpassed them for innovation and engineering feats. Stiff competition for this new sedan comes from the east, in the form of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra – the new lap record holder at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
UPDATE: A full video has now surfaced, detailing the concept. See below.
