Mercedes design language signals new era with Ener-G-Force

When Mercedes-Benz wants to test a new design strategy for their vehicles, they go to Carlsbad, California, call on a design team and out comes the Ener-G-Force. Because of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center in Carlsbad, California, new designs that do not conform to the rules like the Ener-G-Force are created. If you aren’t excited about the automotive world, you haven’t being paying attention to what Mercedes-Benz is doing.

Ener-G-Force concept vehicle was presented at the LA Auto Show last year, and now has received an award at the German Design Award 2014. The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was also a prize winner. The futuristic Ener-G-Force design study carries the genes of an off-road icon first built in 1979, the G-Class. The off-road concept vehicle will likely influence the off-road design idiom of Stuttgart's premium automotive manufacturer in the future.

It was created here in the U.S. at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad, California. There is a multicultural design team of about 20 people who work at the design center where they primarily focus on new mobility concepts along with developing show cars. They get their inspiration from California because of its international flavor and unique car culture. Inspiration also comes from being so close to Hollywood and its cinematic influences.

Hubert Vee, Creative Director of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad says, “The inspiration comes from California, it’s very international and is the mecca of car culture. Being close to Hollywood is an advantage, being inspired by the designs. In terms of design at Mercedes-Benz we are going into a new era. Cars will be more useful, emotional, more dynamic.”

The futuristic Ener-G-Force comes directly out of this culture in California and is an example of the new design language coming out of Mercedes-Benz in the future. Maggie Wies, Head of Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad says, “For example, we have just created a very typically American vehicle, the Ener-G-Force. The development is completely different because it simply belongs to off-road culture. For me it is simply the best job that you could ever imagine. And without passion the job would be impossible. The local car culture is very inspiring”

Ener-G-Force design is both modern and cool, and it gives a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design language from Mercedes-Benz. Even though Mercedes-Benz calls the Ener-G-Force concept “pure, rendered science fiction,” the designers at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio were intrigued with what was taking shape.

The design study was clearly inspired by the G-Class, but it is useful, emotional and more dynamic. Thanks to alternative drive systems, the Ener-G-Force was also designed to be exceptionally environmentally friendly and to demonstrate enhanced green-car characteristics.

We can expect more new exciting designs like the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept off-road vehicle coming for the Advanced Design Center in Carlsbad in the future. It’s an exciting future indeed. Tell us what you think of the new Ener-G-Force.

Watch Mercedes-Benz TV: Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center Carlsbad video.