Show car celebrates world premiere at Monterey Car Week in California
Mercedes-Benz is unveiling the EQ Silver Arrow show car at Monterey Car Week. The event, which takes place from August 18-26, attracts car aficionados and collectors from all over the world. The one-seater EQ Silver Arrow pays tribute to the successful record-breaking W 125 car from 1937. The paintwork in alubeam silver is a nod to the historic Silver Arrows which, for weight reasons, did not have a white paint layer. The interior features traditional, high-quality materials such as genuine leather, brushed aluminum and solid walnut, while the digital cockpit is decidedly futuristic. It includes a curved panoramic screen with back projection, as well as a touchscreen integrated into the steering wheel.
"With their streamlined shape, the historic Silver Arrows secured Mercedes-Benz's place as a pioneer when it came to speed" says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG. "The EQ Silver Arrow show car draws on that legacy. Intended for acceleration and driving pleasure, it embodies progressive luxury and provides an insight into the future of our design. The show car drives the design idiom of our new EQ product and technology brand to the top."
The EQ brand is shaped by the avant-garde, distinct aesthetic of Progressive Luxury, which consciously clashes digital and analogue elements, seamlessly merging intuitive and physical design.
The exterior: sporty silhouette
With its clear, seamless design, the design idiom of the EQ Silver Arrow is a brand-specific embodiment of the design philosophy of Sensual Purity. The streamlined silhouette of the approximately 5.3-metre long and approximately one metre shallow one-seater vehicle is slender yet sensuous.
The show car's body structure is made of carbon fibre. Multiple layers of paintwork in alubeam silver look like liquid metal. This design concept represents the opposites of "hot" and "cold". Functional attachment parts made of carbon fibre, such as the front splitter, epitomize the cool and rational aspect of this philosophy. The design philosophy also comes through in the front trim, which is designed as a display, as well as the continuous lighting strip at the front. The side skirts also feature a lighting strip and the large, recessed EQ lettering in front of the rear wheels is illuminated blue as is characteristic of the EQ brand.
Other highlights include the driver's cockpit, which can be folded forwards, and the partially free-standing multi-spoke wheels. The non-rotating hub caps and the partial trim on the wheels are other stylish and innovative highlights. The 168 spokes on each wheel are made of lightweight aluminum and are painted a rose gold colour as is typical for EQ.
Offering exceptional traction and correspondingly fast acceleration, the EQ Silver Arrow has slick 255/25 R 24 tires at the front and 305/25 R 26 tires at the rear. Another example of the attention to detail on this show car, tire partner Pirelli has created a star pattern on the tread.
The rear diffuser is another nod to motorsport. Two extendible rear spoilers act as an air brake by increasing the wind resistance when deceleration is desired.
Interior: between tradition and modernity
The interior of the EQ Silver Arrow represents the values of Progressive Luxury. This design idiom combines timeless aesthetic appeal with futuristic visions.
When the driver's cockpit is folded forwards, it provides a view of the surprisingly wide interior where the contrast of Progressive Luxury comes to life. On the one hand, the interior uses traditional, high-quality materials, including saddle brown genuine leather on the seat and steering wheel, brushed aluminum throughout the interior and solid walnut with darker coniferous wood pinstripes on the floor. This creates a bridge back to the historic racing cars of the Silver Arrow era. On the other hand, modern, high-tech solutions such as the large projection surface for the panoramic screen and innovative user experience solutions such as the virtual race option (see below) represent EQ's visionary character. This contrast is an intentional merging of past and future.
The seat and backrest have an unusual pattern. Stars have been stitched in with the help of laser engraving. AIRSCARF neck-level heating is integrated into the seat. A four-point seatbelt inspired by motorsport holds the driver securely in place. The pedals can be adapted to the driver's specific stature, with a controller located on the seat for adjusting the pedals.
To match the exterior paint finish in alubeam silver, the side walls of the interior are covered in a luxurious, grey suede.
Double screen and virtual racing
The driver of the EQ Silver Arrow is encompassed by a large panoramic screen on which a 3D image of the surroundings is projected from behind. A lane of the roadway on which inductive charging is possible is superimposed onto the screen. This is a pointer to possible future charging technologies.
With the help of artificial intelligence it is possible to engage in a virtual race against historic or present Silver Arrow racing cars. A virtual racetrack is superimposed onto the roadway displayed on the panoramic screen and the driver sees their opponent either ahead of them or behind them as a "ghost". The Virtual Race Coach assistance function helps drivers by giving instructions during the race.
There is also a touchscreen on the steering wheel. The driver can use it to select programs such as Comfort, Sport and Sport+, which offer different driving characteristics. Sound settings can also be configured with choices including the sound of a current Formula 1 Silver Arrow or a Mercedes-AMG V8 engine.
Emission-free drive system
The EQ Silver Arrow is conceived as an electric vehicle. The silent Silver Arrow has an output of 550 kW (738 hp). The thin rechargeable battery in the underbody has a useable capacity of approximately. 80 kWh and enables a range calculated at over 400 km according to the WLTP. Side air vents help to cool the battery.
EQ concept vehicles: an outlook for electric cars in all segments
Unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the Concept EQ– a concept vehicle with the looks of a sporty SUV coupé - heralded the new EQ product and technology brand. The Concept EQ pre-empted many elements of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, which comes onto the market in 2019.
With the premiere of the Concept EQA at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz demonstrated how the EQ strategy can be translated to the compact class. Featuring one electric motor on the front axle and one at the rear, this electric athlete has a system output of over 200 kW. The drive characteristics can be altered by varying the permanent all-wheel drive's front to rear torque distribution. The Concept EQA's unique virtual radiator grille displays which drive program has been selected.
Also at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, smart presented the smart vision EQ fortwo – an electric and autonomous vision for highly efficient and flexible local public transport. Autonomous and electric-powered, the smart vision EQ presents a consistent concept for the future of urban mobility and the future of car sharing. The vehicle picks up its passengers directly from their chosen location and has no steering wheel or pedals.
The inspiration for the EQ Silver Arrow
The inspiration for the EQ Silver Arrow is the record-breaking W 125 twelve-cylinder car built by Mercedes-Benz in 1937.
In 1937, Mercedes-Benz was heavily inspired by the aviation industry. For example, it was a recommendation from the development departments of the aircraft factories of Ernst Heinkel and Willy Messerschmitt to shorten the front overhang and to make the front of the vehicle more rounded. The front was also extended further down and ended more steeply at the tip. This reduced lift on the front axle. A longer and more strongly raised rear reduced lift on the rear axle. One striking feature – and inspiration for the designers of the EQ Silver Arrow – was the round cockpit glass modelled after a drop of water.
With this historic vehicle Rudolf Caracciola achieved 432.7 km/h on the A5 autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. This speed record on public roads stood until November 2017.
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,700 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz own retail operations and 48 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 52,298 vehicles in 2017. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the fourth consecutive year.
For more information, please contact:
JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 joanne.caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Sinead Brown 416-847-7588 sinead.brown@mercedes-benz.ca
Further information from Mercedes-Benz Canada is available at media.mercedes-benz.ca.
