Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/728388
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 IV Motoring Will your next Mercedes look like this? MERCEDES-BENZ is calling its latest concept coupe, the Vision Mercedes- Maybach 6, "the ultimate in luxury." It was recently unveiled at Pebble Beach. Mercedes says the 2+2 "pays homage to the glorious age of the aero coupes and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future." Benz's latest super-coupe is more than 18.5 feet long and — believe it or not — is an EV. The drive system puts out 550 kW (738 hp) from an underfloor battery and four electric motors. Benz says the all-wheel-drive coupe theoretically hits 62 mph in less than 4 seconds, has a top speed electronically governed at 155 mph and should be good for more than a 200-mile range. The Maybach's huge wheels (24 inches), long hood, slim headlights, low roof and massive chrome grille (inspired by a pinstripe suit, Benz says) dominate the front end. They combine with the dramatically slop- ing rear glass to, Benz hopes, recall aero-coupe glory from days gone by, while at the same time making the car look futuristic. A reinterpretation of the classics, the company adds. Daimler AG design boss Gorden Wagener says the car is both "hot," or emotional, and "cool," or intelli- gent, as in aerodynamically efficient. We say it looks bold and muscular. Lovin' the gullwing doors and boat- tail rear end. We've only seen sketches of the interior so far, with the dashboard curving into the doors and seats. Mercedes-Benz says there's plenty of leather and wood inside, while the digital displays are housed in an electronic strip above the dash. The strip extends the width of the interior, so passengers can set their own con- trols. Driving-related data are shown across the bottom of the windshield. The floor is elm — Benz says it used that because it is hoping to use it in production cars.