Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA – the future of Mercedes S-Class: Frankfurt 2015

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The Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA  has been revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a look at how a future hybrid S-Class with advanced aerodynamics could look.

When we had the first tease for the Mercedes Concept IAA we figured it would be a bold concept statement but without real future intent. A showcase for what Mercedes are likely to do in the future.

But the second Concept IAA tease was a silhouette of the car, which did make us wonder if in fact the IAA was a look art the next generation CLS as it was clearly a coupe-like saloon. In fact, the truth lies somewhere between the two.

No, the IAA Concept doesn’t preview a new model from Mercedes, although it does show the direction the Mercedes S Class is likely to move in the coming decade, even if some of the stuff on show is pure concept.

At over 5.0 metres long, the IAA is certainly S-Class in size and powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 274bhp, an electric-only range of 20 miles and emissions, at least on the official scale, of just 28g/km.

But what is impressive is the slippery shape, with a drag coefficient of just 0.19, which has been achieved not just by working hard to make the shape as slippery as possible, but with clever tech that extends flaps on the IAA to tweak its passage through the air.

Inside may also be concept clever, but we can see some of the stuff on show filtering in to production models in the not too distant future, including gesture pads for controlling functions.

The Concept IAA isn’t the best looking car in the world, with its in-yer-face nose and odd back end, but tamed a little we could see it as the S-Class after next.