Watch Mercedes’ Concept IAA Morph Into An Aerodynamic Missile
Bodywork that changes to reduce aerodynamic drag (or to increase downforce) — like an adaptive rear spoiler — is nothing new. But the level in which Mercedes has taken this concept with its IAA, debuting today at the Frankfurt auto show, most definitely is. What begins as a slippery sedan with a drag coefficient number of a solid 0.25 (a Chevy Volt manages 0.28) morphs into one with an eel-like 0.19 — a feat Mercedes claims makes the Concept IAA the most aerodynamic four-door, four seater in the world.
Or rather it would be. If it ever actually made it.
The transformation to super sleek occurs at the touch of a button, or when the car surpasses 50 mph. At that point the flaps in the front bumper extend by one inch, the profile of the wheels alter to prevent disrupting the air flow and the front louvres recess by 2.4 inches. Most impressive, however, is the 15.4 inch extension to the rear tail, which makes the IAA look sort of like a reversing catfish.
It’s not clear how long it takes for these aerodynamic modifications to take effect, but watch the video below to get a clearer sense of exactly what’s occurring during the shift.
The Concept IAA (for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) is powered by a hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 279 horsepower. In “design mode” — which is where all the fancy aero pieces are retracted — it can manage 39 miles using electricity alone; in “aerodynamic mode,” 41 miles are achieved.
Inside Mercedes previews a cabin that appears a step forward from its luxurious S-Class. As with any concept, though, many of the fancy touches here are nice ideas rather than soon-to-be-at-a-Merc-dealer-near-you — much like the adaptive aero bits — but it delivers an insight into where the design engineers are headed.
Fuel economy is key for every automakers’ future, not just to appease buyers but to meet global efficiency standards that are continually rising. The Concept IAA may not be anywhere near production ready today, but it does showcase the future steps we may need to take if we’re going achieve Mr. Green’s lofty targets.
