Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR at CES 2020 in Las Vegas

A unique combination: The VISION AVTR's holistic concept combines the disciplines of interior design, exterior design and vehicle operation in an unprecedented way. The distinctive open design links the cockpit to the exterior into an emotional whole, inspired by the creatures from the movie AVATAR. Curved profiles and an organic design language make the VISION AVTR a visionary take from Mercedes designers on the look of the cars of the future.

Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR Highlights

Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR inspired by the movie AVATAR: The name of this ground-breaking concept vehicle not only symbolizes the close development collaboration with the AVATAR film team, but also the concept of ADVANCED VEHICLE TRANSFORMATION. This visionary model embodies the vision of Mercedes-Benz designers, engineers and trendsetters for the automotive industry from a distant future. This is the result of an unprecedented global partnership with one of the most innovative brands in the entertainment industry and the eighth most valuable brand in the world, Mercedes-Benz. Inspired by the world of Pandora, VISION AVTR shows a completely new interaction between man, machine and nature.

Design and user interface

Unusual combination: The VISION AVTR's holistic concept combines the disciplines of interior design, exterior design and operation in a unique way. The distinctive open design fuses the car's interior with the exterior into an emotional whole inspired by the creatures from the movie 'AVATAR'. With a curved profile and organic design language, the VISION AVTR is a forward-thinking look for the cars of the future.

Biometric communication: Instead of a conventional steering wheel, multi-function controls on the center console link the person to the machine. When you put your hand on the control unit, the interior comes to life and the car recognizes the driver by pulse and breathing.

Immersive Experience Space: all you have to do is raise your hand and a menu will appear in the palm of your hand, allowing the passenger to intuitively choose between different functions. Example? Real-time 3D graphics to help you explore the fictional world of Pandora from multiple perspectives. The curved display module creates a visual connection between passengers and the outside world.

Sustainability and drive

Recyclable Organic Battery Technology: The VISION AVTR concept car is the first to use a revolutionary battery technology based on graphene-based organic cells, completely free of rare and precious metals. The battery materials are compostable and therefore fully recyclable. As a result, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. In this way, Mercedes-Benz highlights the great importance that the "circular economy" will have in the future in the commodity sector.

The car as a living being: 33 "bionic shields" at the rear of the car resemble reptile scales. They can help you communicate with the outside world through natural fluid movements, subtle gestures. Thanks to the possibility of moving the wheels of the front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, unlike conventional cars, the VISION AVTR can also move sideways (approximately 30 degrees). The so-called "crab movement" gives it an animal character in terms of motor activity.

Eco-friendly materials: The VISION AVTR seats are upholstered in DINAMICA® vegan leather. DINAMICA® is the first and only microfiber that guarantees sustainability throughout the entire production cycle. The floor of the concept car is finished with an innovative wood called Karuun®. The material for its production (rattan) is growing very fast as a natural resource and is harvested by hand in Indonesia. This material gives the interior a cozy atmosphere and radiates naturalness.

Exterior - the language of bionic design

As the distinction between vehicles and living things intensifies, Mercedes-Benz combines luxury with sustainability and works to make cars as sustainable as possible. Together with VISION AVTR, the manufacturer demonstrates how harmoniously a vehicle can "fit" into the environment and communicate with it. In the ecosystem of the future, the highest luxury is the connection of man with nature through modern technical solutions. As soon as the driver gets inside, the car becomes an extension of his body and a tool for exploring the world around him - just like in the movie, where people can use avatars to enrich their skills.

The design of the VISION AVTR is characterized by a bionic design language inspired by nature. The elongated, sporty silhouette is distinguished by heavily accentuated wheel arches. And the large oval doorway gives the car an open sculpture. The transparent door panels give a light impression and emphasize a holistic approach to design, focusing on the combination of exterior, interior and work elements. The spectacular opening and closing of the door is inspired by the wings of banshee creatures or the ikran from the movie AVATAR.

The VISION AVTR impresses with its metallic silver as well as blue light accents such as the typical EQ front cover. Meanwhile, the expressive wheel spokes feature a warm rose gold tone, also characteristic of the design language of the EQ models. The impression of the animated object is enhanced by light shows, such as pulsating optical fibers passing through the body like nerves. In addition, their aesthetic is reminiscent of the bioluminescence of Pandora's nocturnal nature, where many living things and plants can glow at night.

Communication and interaction with the environment

The vehicle becomes an active part of the environment: 33 multi-directional moving elements at the rear of the vehicle provide VISION AVTR with a unique interaction with the environment. These "bionic patches" are reminiscent of several animals from the world of Pandora and communicate through natural fluid movements and subtle gestures. Both the "bionic flaps" and the light lines react to approaching the car and - through communication with the driver - to the emotions and behavior of travelers. "Bionic flaps" synchronously change their position during maneuvers, and can also be used as solar panels.

Wheels inspired by the seeds of the Tree of Souls

Mercedes-Benz designers used the seeds of the Soul Tree from the movie 'AVATAR' as inspiration for the design of the concept car's wheels. VISION AVTR wheels embody the mind of nature. The tread and luminous rim lugs form a completely new organic sculpture. The six segments of the rim are intertwined with blue lights. With an almost spherical shape, the wheels allow the VISION AVTR to make new movements, as well as provide a small turning radius and minimize the tire-to-ground contact surface. All four wheels of the car can change direction. In combination with a special axle architecture, the car can move not only forward and backward, but also diagonally. As a result, the VISION AVTR is extremely agile, and the so-called "crab movement" gives it an animal look even while driving.

Interior inspired by nature

Despite the designer's revolutionary approach, the VISION AVTR concept car follows the design language of the product and technical brand EQ - an attractive form is combined with digital controls, and technical solutions from the distant future emphasize a progressive, luxurious design language.

With the VISION AVTR, Mercedes-Benz designers have taken a completely new approach to design for the first time. Their holistic concept combines the disciplines of exterior, interior and working design. The starting point was design from the inside and focus on people. The whole process started with the experiences, perceptions and needs of travelers. Goal: to create a car that would be a kind of "extension" of the perception of passengers, as well as an exciting space of experiences.

The characteristic open shape of the VISION AVTR integrates an inner and outer emotional whole. The opening of the door is inspired by the combination of the Na'wiz from the movie AVATAR with their natural Pandora environment. The main source of inspiration for the interior of VISION AVTR is Mother Nature herself: the whole structure is built on one line and takes on organic forms. Floral motifs and fine veneers contrast with dynamic contours here. The light strips in the seats have an optical "extension" in the form of a protrusion on the center console. However, the most important thing is the user experience - as soon as passengers sit in the seats, they connect with the vehicle and literally feel the world around them, experiencing it even more consciously. Individual elements can be controlled intuitively. There are no visible buttons or switches in the car - the functions are displayed on the body or hand of the driver or passenger. This is a completely new level of interaction between man and machine.

The front seats are organic, reminiscent of the leaf hammocks from Avatar; The impulses generated by the seats make driving holistic. The center console symbolizes the Tree of Souls, the Na'vi's holiest site. It reaches up to the A-pillar, passes through the roof structure, and subtly hugs the rear passengers like a cocoon. The A-pillar of the concept car is made up of several different tinted parts, the shades of which blend perfectly with each other. Their surfaces are transparent to varying degrees, creating the effect of a phenomenal hologram.