Tag Archives: Monterey Car Week
Examining the Beauty of the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow
Mercedes-Benz has plenty of history from which they can pull out a concept so beautiful and ethereal that it can make our eyes water. And that’s exactly what they have done when they pulled back the sheet from the Vision EQ Silver Arrow at the Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach, California.
The concept is a forward-looking take on the legendary streamliners of the 1930s, particularly the W125 Rekordwagen which set the world record for the highest speed on a public road. It held that record for 79 years until the Koenigsegg Agera RS went 8 mph faster last fall. For added context, the Rekordwagen is scheduled to appear alongside this Vision EQ Silver Arrow concept.
The difference would be what’s under the hood. The W125 made its 275 horsepower from a twin-supercharged 5.6-liter V-12 engine while the Vision EQ Silver Arrow will produce 750 horsepower using two electric motors (one per axle) and an 80kWh battery. The W125 can comfortably exceed 250 miles per hour while the Vision EQ is built to produce 250 miles per charge.
The exterior is made of carbon fiber, and to achieve that Silver Arrow appearance, the top layer of the exterior was painted in Alubeam Silver. This is a reference to the unpainted metal of old cars. The liquid-like finish is matched by the very fluid surfacing. You can find not a single crease on the Vision EQ. The only “imperfections” found on the smooth surface were the place where the top surface meets the unpainted front mask and the protruding side skirts.
The 168-spoke wheels are half-covered and they are painted in “rose gold” to loosely resemble the copper wire inside an electric motor. Since this is a concept car, the wheels are naturally so big it’s almost impossible to imagine what tires could fit them.
According to Mercedes, the Vision EQ Silver Arrow is intended to draw on the brand’s legacy of unmatched acceleration and driving pleasure. It “provides an insight into the future of our design.”
Bentley Commemorates Founder With Mulsanne W.O. Edition By Mulliner
This will be a year of celebration for Bentley as it commemorates the 100th year since the company’s conception. The celebration started on July 10 and will last throughout the year. The event will be highlighted by the coming of the Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner, which will be limited to only 100 units around the world.
The sedan, which will be available in standard, long wheelbase, and Speed versions, celebrates Bentley founder Walter Owen Bentley and his 1930 8 Litre, the founder’s personal car. The 8 Litre was the last vehicle Bentley designed for the luxury automaker and the second example off the production line. The classic car wore a coach-built body from Henry Jervis Mulliner & Co., the same company that personalizes Bentley cars until this very day.
Walter Owen was not able to enjoy the fruits of his labor and the “ultimate expression of automotive engineering” because financial troubles forced him to sell the company in 1931. In 2006, Bentley bought the 8 Litre and immediately gone through the process of restoration. This means replacing the crankshaft, which is the central feature of the Mulsanne W.O. Edition.
What happened to the old crankshaft? Bentley cut it into 100 pieces and each will be placed inside a custom, illuminated cocktail cabinet that’s located in the rear quarters of the 100 special Mulsanne units. The glass display will be framed by four different kinds of wood and aluminum that create a marquetry scene.
The special edition will also get Heritage Hides in Fireglow with Beluga details and stitching, Dark Stain Burr Walnute veneers, and Fireglow lambswool carpets. The exterior is painted in onyx and features a chrome hood strip, optional chrome grille and surround, and discrete special edition badging. There will also be Beluga Back wheels.
The best thing about owning this car, aside from it being a special edition, is that customers can have their W.O. Edition Mulsannes customized.
The Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner will be unveiled at the Monterey Car Week in August.
