Skip advert
Advertisement

Dramatic Mercedes Concept IAA unveiled at Frankfurt

Mercedes reveals curvy four-door coupe concept at Frankfurt show, with world-beating aerodynamics rating

Amongst all the production-ready new cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show, there is now (of course) a new forward-thinking design study: the appropriately-named Mercedes IAA Concept.

Design to preview Merc's future large car design direction, the Concept IAA is a vision of things to come in the next decade from the S-Class luxury car range. Although the over-exaggerated features won't make it to future road cars, the brand is giving us a look at the future of Mercedes car designs.

Mercedes IAA Concept on video

The design focus for the Concept IAA is on "world-beating aerodynamics". A super-slippery Cd value of 0.19 is claimed, thanks to active aero tech such as electrically extending front and rear flaps, boosting the concept's length by 390mm to ensure it carves through the air. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 5.04m long concept is powered by a 274bhp petrol-electric plug-in powertrain that propels it to a 155mph top speed. Yet CO2 emissions are claimed to be just 28g/km in its most efficient mode, with a 20 mile all-electric range.

Inside, the bright white cabin debuts a variety of tech that could filter down to production models. Gesture control pads on the dashboard allow the driver to control in-car functions by hovering their finger above the pad and moving it directionally. The overall design is, Merc claims, a preview of a near-future executive car's cabin.

Mercedes' head of R&D Dr Thomas Weber claims that the Concept IAA "applies intelligent innovations to resolve the conflicting aims of functionality and aesthetics and shows that we still have plenty of ideas on how to achieve further improvements in efficiency."

Now see all of our coverage live from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
13 Jun 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
29 May 2025
Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records
Mercedes AMG-One at Nurburgring

Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records

Check out the top 10 fastest production cars around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany
Best cars & vans
13 May 2025
Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon
British Yasa Motors

Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon

Auto Express speaks to the Brit behind the tech underpinning Mercedes-AMG’s new super-saloon
News
12 May 2025

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025