Mercedes-Benz brought its strange Concept IAA (Intelligent Active Aerodynamics) to the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Concept IAA is possibly the strangest plug-in hybrid in Frankfurt. With some of the most extensive active aerodynamics, the Mercedes-Benz IAA almost completely changes shape. The rear end extends out quite dramatically and the front spoiler does the same. It even has active aerodynamic wheels.
The sleep concept has 279 hp from a plug-in petrol/electric drivetrain and a drag coefficient from Cd 0.25 to Cd 0.19. To put that in perspective, the Mercedes CLA was the world’s most slippery production car when it launched in 2013, with a drag co-efficient of Cd 0.22. While the aerodynamics only reduce CO2 by 3g/km on the EU cycle, Mercedes engineers claim a 20g/km reduction at 90mph. Mercedes quotes an all-electric range of 40 miles, and 28g/km on the combined cycle.
The 5.04m long concept reaches a top speed of 155 mph.
Inside, the bright white cabin debuts gesture control pads on the dashboard which allow the driver to control in-car functions by hovering their finger above the pad and moving it directionally. In the Concept IAA, the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel control the left-hand side display while the controls on the right control the LCD screen closest to the passenger.
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.”
