The concept of luxury has evolved to include a much more complex set of values. Time, authenticity, legacy, access, resource, journey, skills and memory – these are just some of the concepts joining the more classic terms associated with luxury. And going forward, when the car becomes essentially a high-tech gadget in the age of autonomous driving, what will define true luxury?
In the fifth of our interviews with some of the leading creatives, Gorden Wagener, director of Daimler AG design and responsible for Mercedes-Benz offers his thoughts.
Design Talks. How do you see Mercedes-Benz car design responding to the concept of modern luxury?
Gorden Wagener. Sensual Purity as the expression of modern luxury – that is the design philosophy of Mercedes-Benz. Our aim is to create clear forms and smooth surfaces that act as a stage for the high tech while arousing emotions.
People are after something genuine, experiences that are both emotive and authentic. The interior in particular is a living space that is characterised by sensuality and luxury at Mercedes. Purity is modernity while sensuality is the very opulence, beauty and pleasure inherent in beautiful forms and high-quality materials such as soft leather.
DT. How will this be unique to the marque?
GW. The uniqueness of Mercedes-Benz design lies in the combination of sensuality and purity, of luxury and purism. Although seemingly a contradiction in terms, these opposites are also deeply rooted in our DNA.
Our design philosophy perfectly encapsulates this fundamental aspect of the brand – the bipolarity of intelligence and emotion. Rationale forms one half of the brand essence, of which Carl Benz is symbolic, with the other half influenced by Gottlieb Daimler and the era of the early racing cars and classic cars. This is why excitement, desire and pleasure are essential to the brand.
DT. Your recent series of concept cars, in particular the F 015 Luxury in Motion, is an intriguing study into the possibilities of car design in the age of autonomous driving. How do you see the future of car design in the context of driverless cars?
GW. The aim of autonomous driving is to ease the burden on the driver in many situations, for example in heavy motorway traffic. And when the car can drive itself, the interior above all takes on a whole new meaning. It becomes a space in which you can do many of those things that you are currently forbidden from doing while driving or that you simply cannot do because you have to drive the car.
The car becomes the ‘third place’ where you can work, relax or invite your friends into the car via video conferencing. This provides wonderful inspirations for the designers because the car of the future offers both possibilities: a lounge-like atmosphere as well an automotive experience.
DT. How will it impact on exterior design?
GW. The exterior design will also change. The looks should emphasise and possibly even indicate autonomous driving. Through the use of technology and design elements we can raise the awareness and looks of autonomous cars.
On the F 015 Luxury in Motion, for example, the LEDs on the front and rear interact with the surroundings so others see the car is driving autonomously. And it has no edges, lending it the sensually pure form that is a Mercedes-Benz hallmark.
Nargess Banks
Read our previous interview on the subject of modern luxury and car design with Bentley design director Stefan Sielaff, and Jaguar’s creative lead Ian Callum here.
Read more about the F015 Luxury in Motion and Mercedes-Benz design here.
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