German automaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a solar-cell-powered electric car with zero emissions designed with visionary fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away last weekend.
First announced in October, Project Maybach is a true concept vehicle unlikely to ever go into production. That doesn’t make it any less intriguing, though.
Abloh worked with Mercedes design boss Gorden Wagener on the futuristic grand tourer, which nods to the automaker’s storied history. The striking vehicle is his second collaboration with the brand, following the G-Wagen race car.
The unveiling of the car was given the blessing of Abloh’s family and was described as being an extraordinary design to come out of Mercedes-Benz. The car was revealed at Art Basel Miami.
Project Maybach is nearly 20-feet long, most of that length coming from its transparent front bonnet with solar cells underneath it which charges the car’s batteries. The sloped and transparent roofline merges seamlessly into the rear end evoking the look of a spaceship. It is a two-seater and is designed for off-road adventuring.
The interior of the car is almost entirely in tan leather, matching the exterior. The vibe of the automobile is minimalistic, but it still found room for a cinematic infotainment screen tucked in the center of the dashboard.
The much-loved designer, owner of streetwear label Off-White, and artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, Virgil Abloh sadly passed away after a private battle with an aggressive cancer for more than two years.
