Mercedes showed off something old and something new at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show when it brought out the Vision Mercedes Simplex. Making its North American debut, the futuristic hot rod concept is based off a 110+ year old design. While it is not a working car, this work of art is supposed to embody the heritage and the future of the luxury brand.

3 The Original

The Vision Mercedes Simplex is based on the Mercedes Simplex, which was originally produced from 1902 to 1909. Daimler rolled out the vehicle in Nice, and it was notable for its for its then-revolutionary architecture, which featured an engine lower in the frame than many contemporary designs, allowing for a lower center of gravity and, therefore, better handling.

2 Modern Influences On A Classic Structure

The 2019 version of the hot rod throws in a variety of technology-infused updates, while leaving the majority of its classic structure intact. There’s a huge LCD display scene in place of the radiator, which is supposed to be a symbol of the transformation of the brand into the digital world. The UI/UX design only shows the driver the information they actually require, which was designed to keep close to Mercedes’s desire to keep the design simple.

1 A Toast To The Brand

While there are no plans for production, and we mean zero, it’s a beautiful toast to the past and future of the German automaker. Speaking about the concept car, Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener said, "Only a brand that is as strong as Mercedes-Benz is capable of the physical symbiosis of the history and future. The "Vision Mercedes Simplex" symbolizes the transformation of the brand-specific luxury of Mercedes-Benz."

Source: Mercedes-Benz Media Newsroom