• Mercedes-Benz Pays Stylish Tribute to the Past with Vision One-Eleven: A Modern-Day Remake of the Iconic 1970s C111 Prototype!”
• “Unleashing Electric Power and Futuristic Design: Mercedes-Benz Blends Heritage and Innovation in the Vision One-Eleven Concept

Everyone enjoys a good 1970s remake, but recasting something from the disco period in the present day might feel out of place at times. But when the something in question is the fantastic Mercedes-Benz C111 experimental prototype, it’s difficult to go wrong. Anything with gullwing doors, aerodynamic style, and a hood-mounted star will be a show stopper. Such is the good fortune of the recently unveiled Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven concept.

The Vision One-Eleven, designed and produced in the company’s International Design Centre in Carlsbad, California, is a clear homage to the 1970s project. However, unlike the first 15-unit run of Mercedes-Benz C111s, which included four-rotor rotary, five-cylinder diesel, and turbocharged V8 engines, the newest idea is primarily a styling exercise. That’s the single flaw in the otherwise aggressive, well-designed Vision One-Eleven.

The gullwing doors, which also harken back to the iconic 1954 300SL, are obvious references to the show car’s forefathers, but there are a number of subtle elements that link the Vision One-Eleven to its predecessors. The oval-shaped front end with three hash-mark vents at the corners, as well as the two circular taillights on the pixelated rear graphic, are unmistakable references to the C111. The twin black hood vents are also reminiscent of the 1970s prototype, however they now lead directly to a canopy-style roof.

That’s because, unlike the angular C111, the Vision One-Eleven employs the Mercedes-EQ “one-bow” design language, resulting in a curving, cab-forward appearance. The fuselage-style body appears to rest on the aero kit, which includes front and side splitters as well as an aggressive rear diffuser, making the original C111’s orange and black colour scheme more useful. The Vision concept is also only approximately 2 inches taller than its predecessor, which is unusually low for an electric vehicle thanks to one clever piece of technology.

The low stance is made possible by axial-flux electric motors developed by business subsidiary YASA. In comparison to the radial-flux traction motors seen in other Mercedes EVs, axial-flux units are 66 percent more power-dense, providing engineers with greater flexibility in their placement. The sharply bulged wheel arches of the Vision One-Eleven suggest that the axial-flux motors are put out near the wheels, with maybe four independent motors totaling 1,000 kilowatts (or 1,300 horsepower, if you prefer). Of course, all of this is hypothetical, as the Vision One-Eleven is a stylistic exercise rather than a powertrain testbed.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t said whether its latest concept is a foreshadowing of things to come, but it doesn’t appear probable that the firm would release a low-slung, totally electric gullwing supercar anytime soon. Nonetheless, aspects of the Vision One-Eleven will emerge in future Mercedes vehicles, including YASA axial-flux electric motors earmarked for AMG goods because to their low weight and high output. While the Vision One-Eleven will most likely spend its whole existence on a show stand, it’s nevertheless interesting to see Mercedes-Benz embrace its heritage in such a forward-thinking design.