Mercedes reveals breathtaking EQ electric concept

MERCEDES-BENZ has used the Monterey Car Week to unveil its eye-catching Vision EQ Silver Arrow all-electric concept car, a one-seat racer homage to the successful W125 Grand Prix car from 1937.

At approximately 5300mm long and 1000mm tall, the Silver Arrow cuts a striking figure with an open-top cockpit and massive, 168-spoke fixed-hub rose gold wheels measuring 24 inches at the front and 26 inches in the rear.

Painted in alubeam silver to match the W125, the Silver Arrow’s body is constructed from carbon-fibre, with a lighting strip along the side and rear skirts, and a digital display screen integrated into the front bumper.

The roofless cockpit folds forward to allow easy ingress and egress, while the rear of the vehicle is characterised by a large fin stretching from behind the driver’s head to the tailgate, similar to the Project One hypercar.

Two rear spoilers can extend from the back of the car’s body, to assist deceleration by increasing wind resistance.

Powering the Vision EQ Silver Arrow is a pure-electric powertrain outputting a hefty 550kW with an unspecified amount of torque. 80kWh batteries are placed in the underfloor of the vehicle, and will enable an approximate driving range of 400km.

Side air vents help to cool the battery, while Pirelli has developed special tyres – complete with star tread pattern – to ensure optimal grip and effective channelling of power to the road.

The one-seat cockpit has been designed to represent a mix of traditional and luxurious materials, with modern technologies and features, described by the brand as “timeless aesthetic appeal with futuristic visions”.

Saddle brown leather upholsters the single bucket seat and racing-style steering wheel with a star pattern matching the tyres, while the floor is decked out in solid walnut and coniferous wood pinstripes.

Polished aluminium also features prominently on the interior, while the side walls are finished in grey suede to match the car’s exterior.

The cockpit features a wrap-around panoramic display screen, capable of projecting 3D images of its surroundings, and enabling users to ‘race’ against the original W125 or Mercedes’ current F1 car.

To achieve this, a virtual racetrack is superimposed onto the road, as is the ‘opponent’, with the vehicle’s computer systems offering instructions during the race.

For those who want a more immersive race experience, sound settings can be tweaked to simulate the Mercedes Silver Arrow F1 car or an AMG V8 engine.

A touchscreen is also embedded in the centre of the squared-off steering wheel, which among other features, can configure the driving modes between comfort, sport and sport+.

The Vision EQ Silver Arrow is the latest in a line of all-electric concepts from Mercedes and its EQ sub-brand, such as the original Concept EQ in 2016 and compact EQA at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.