Mercedes-Benz has been a name synonym for panache and luxury ever since it was first established in 1926. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the automotive giant has set the bar high for four-wheelers of the present and the future world. The AMG GT introduced in 2014 is still one of the most liked supercars in the industry and Concept VISION AVTR is setting the precedence for electric cars of the future already.
While the brand is one of the few big names inclined towards electric concept designs, it is understandable how many concept designers gravitate towards the Mercedes name for building their imaginative four wheels that could someday actually land them at one of the renowned brand’s design nests. The Mercedes-Benz Dresscode is one such iteration that has a unique take on what a British hypercar of the future could be like.
The design direction of the car interprets iconic luxury through the shapes of collar and rich volumes of a formal dress. If you look closely the hypercar adapts the form of a white shirt with a tie on top and a black jacket layered over it. Yes, the white sections represent the shirt with edged surfaces while the black body wraps the entire car in a large volume reminiscent of a jacket. The rear of the vehicle is like the back of a person wearing a suit – simple and chic. Unlike other supercars having luxurious gull-winged doors (or scissor doors) which can be tricky to get in and out, the Dresscode concept has doors designed to feel like the process of taking off a suit which is elegant and easy.
The side profile of the car is inspired by the seam lines on the shoulder of a jacket, wherein the lines flow from the front to the rear. Those wheel parts are rotatable through these lines. Also, the seam stitches on the shoulder of a suit jacket are reinterpreted as Mercedes patterns on the hypercar. In a true sense, this is a tailored Mercedes concept maintaining an aggressive yet elegant stance with its dynamic shape.
Have you ever fantasized about touring Gotham City in style—not in the Batmobile, but in something a bit more environmentally friendly? Fasten your seatbelts, eco-warriors, and comic book fans, because Automobili Pininfarina has transformed that dream into a luxurious reality designed for the Bruce Wayne in each of us.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX B95 Dark Knight
Bruce Wayne—the billionaire by day and caped crusader by night—has inspired an ultra-exclusive lineup of electric vehicles that redefine hypercar luxury and blend technological sophistication with environmental consciousness. Available with just a click, these electric dream machines come in two stunning versions, each of the B95 hyper Barchetta and Battista hyper GT. Decked out in color palettes so sharp they’ve surely earned a nod from Wayne Enterprises, these models are a testament to cutting-edge design. Now, let’s dive into what sets each model apart.
Design Philosophies Converged
Both versions share a base of ultra-high performance and sustainable technology but diverge dramatically in their aesthetic expressions. The “Gotham” models exude daytime elegance and open luxury, appealing to those who prefer their wealth to whisper rather than shout. In contrast, the “Dark Knight” models are all about the allure of the night, offering a more brooding, powerful presence that’s perfect for anyone who wants to command the road with a look as sharp as Batman’s own gadgets.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX B95 Gotham
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX Battista Dark Knight
Through these designs, Automobili Pininfarina skillfully blends advanced technology with luxurious craftsmanship, vividly reflecting the dual nature of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters. Whether you lean towards the light or embrace the shadows, there’s a dream car waiting to bring that fantasy to life.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX Battista Dark Knight Interior
Gotham Version: The Polished Magnate
The Gotham versions of the B95 and Battista models reflect Bruce Wayne’s daytime character – sophisticated, elegant, and subtly powerful. These cars feature:
Color Palette: Both Gotham models are dressed in Argento Vittorio gloss paint, a silver tone that reflects Bruce Wayne’s polished, public-facing side. The bodywork is complemented by a Nero Torino gloss paint ‘Goccia’ roof, adding a sleek, understated contrast.
Interior Upholstery: The upholstery is made of distinctive tan leather and exudes a warm, inviting feel. The center panels feature bespoke quilting paired with tan stitching, encapsulating a look of refined comfort.
Wheels: The Gotham Battista’s wheels are 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, finished in a Prezioso Evoluzione gloss black face with a matt black channel rim. The Gotham B95 matches in style but adds a matt black inner and gloss black outer ring, all held together with Titan calipers and a brushed aluminum anodized black rim center lock ring.
Dark Knight Version: The Vigilante’s Edge
In contrast, the Dark Knight versions embody the night-time alter-ego of Bruce Wayne—mysterious, formidable, and always one step ahead. These models feature:
Color Palette: Both Dark Knight vehicles’ livery is a deep black Nero Profondo gloss paint that mirrors the Bat suit. The ‘Goccia’ roof maintains the Nero Torino finish, enhancing the vehicle’s menacing and stealthy aesthetic.
Interior Upholstery: Here, the Dark Knight theme opts for a more dramatic black Alcantara and black leather, stitched together with a striking black and gold duo-tone contrast stitch. This choice reflects the utilitarian yet exceptional nature of Batman’s gear.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX B95 Dark Knight Interior
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX Battista Dark Knight Interior
Wheels: The wheels on both Dark Knight models are finished with Glorioso ceramic-polished rims, lending an extra edge of sophistication and mystery, perfectly aligning with the Dark Knight’s enigmatic presence.
Unique Design Elements Shared and Contrasted
Both versions share some cutting-edge features, yet they are tailored to match their respective themes:
Wayne Enterprises Logos: Subtly placed on the side skirts and roof, the logo is a constant reminder of the high-tech world Bruce Wayne inhabits.
Voice Inspired by Alfred Pennyworth: This feature adds a personal touch reminiscent of Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX Battista Dark Knight Interior
Roof and Door Design: The Dark Knight cars come with a more aggressive styling, while the Gotham cars opt for a large portion of curved glass roofing, enhancing the interior’s light and airy feel.
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX Battista Dark Knight Top View
Automobili Pininfarina + BruceWayneX B95 Dark Knight Top View
Enter the Bat…tista?
What if Bruce Wayne designed an electric vehicle? Enter the Battista from Automobili Pininfarina, a marvel that defines a luxury electric hypercar. Displayed exclusively at a VIP event in NYC—Bruce Wayne’s kind of town—this vehicle combines high-class luxury with groundbreaking sustainability.
Automobili Pininfarina Battista in NY
The Battista is the world’s first all-electric hyper GT, boasting four electric motors that power up to an extraordinary 1,900 horsepower. This setup enables a breathtaking acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 1.86 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). It’s faster than a Formula 1 car, yet it emits zero emissions, thanks to its 120 kWh lithium-ion battery that also delivers a driving range of up to 476 km (296 miles).
This hypercar doesn’t just fly on the roads—it lands with grace, too, thanks to Brembo’s advanced carbon-ceramic brakes. The Battista stops on a dime, ensuring every high-speed adventure ends as safely as it begins, with no wings required.
Inside, luxury meets the latest technology. The cabin features a trio of high-definition screens positioned around the steering wheel, offering intuitive control and seamless access to vehicle functions and infotainment. This is a car that cocoons its driver in comfort while making no compromises on delivering an exhilarating driving experience.
The Battista embodies high performance without the environmental toll. It blends extreme speed with a zero-emission footprint, all wrapped up in a sleek, carbon fiber body that’s as stylish as it is efficient.
From Silver Screen to Green Scene
What ties these vehicles back to their comic book roots, apart from the names? Each model sports intricate details like Wayne Enterprises logos and bespoke quilting that whispers luxury. Whether you’re looking for the elegant tan leather of the Gotham spec or the brooding black Alcantara of the Dark Knight design, these cars meld fantasy with reality, proving once again that dreams can come true—with a hefty dose of cutting-edge tech and deep pockets.
Automobili Pininfarina isn’t just throwing around big names and fancy tech to sell cars. They’re creating a narrative that extends beyond the showroom. This collaboration with Warner Bros. and DC writes a vivid chapter in luxury automotive history, pushing the envelope on what electric vehicles can represent—beyond mere solutions to emissions, they are symbols of a lavish, aspirational lifestyle.
So, keep your eyes peeled whether you’re a comic book geek, a luxury enthusiast, or someone who marvels at the crossroads of innovation and entertainment. Bruce Wayne might roll up next to you at the traffic lights in an EV that’s as silent as the night but speaks volumes.
MG Motor has again got its sights set on land speed records, and move beyond the sports car arena. The British marque owned by the Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, has revealed the first teaser look of the EXE181 hypercar concept that will make its maiden appearance at the Auto China 2024.
The sleek hypercar has a balanced futuristic design fused with the inspirational record-setting racers from the 1950s. In fact, the sleek hypercar draws inspiration from the experimental car by MG dubbed EX181. The UFO-like aerodynamic classic racer was powered by a 1.5-liter twin-cam engine that produced 300 hp and had its crosshair set on the land speed record of that time. The dome-shaped vehicle eventually broke it in October 1959, clocking 254.91 mph top speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats
The new iteration of the classic record breaker has its name and the teardrop shape in common but other dynamics have drastically changed. This hypercar is more stylized for the year 2024 and is propelled by an electric drivetrain. The smooth elongated shape doesn’t look out of place and ends as a longtail when viewed from the side profile. The ride height is just a few millimeters from the ground, suggesting its racing DNA. Both the longtail design and the low ride height lend the hypercar an unbelievably low drag coefficient of 0.81.
There’s no word on the technical specifications of the hypercar but we believe it’s going to churn out 1,000 hp with ease. The only thing we know so far from MG’s official release is that the EXE181 will go from zero to 62 mph in a mere 1.9 seconds. That would make this hypercar the fastest off-the-line car on the planet. Top speed figures have also been kept in the dark so far, but we can expect it to at least break the 254.91 mph barrier set by its inspiration.
Such is the optimization of the vehicle that it supersedes the likes of Volkswagen XL1 and McLaren Speedtail having a drag coefficient of 0.199 and 0.278 respectively. The single-seater arrangement instantly puts one in the zone for competitive racing. There’s a yoke-style steering wheel and a touchscreen display to show all the HUD elements.
Don’t expect the MG EXE181 hypercar to hit the production lines anytime soon. Although, do expect to see this good-looking concept emerge as a prototype at the Beijing Motor Show 2024.
They say the teardrop shape is considered one of the most aerodynamic profiles ever, given how it effortlessly bends the air around it to glide through with minimal drag. The tail of a teardrop plays a crucial role in this process, explaining the importance of tails in birds, planes, and boats. The Porsche Mission S by Zhe Huang brings that feature to automotive design. Created as a hyper-racing MPV, the Mission S recreates the professional racing experience for regular folk with its 911-esque proportions, supercar-esque cockpit, and unique teardrop rear that takes the term ‘boattail’ to new lengths.
Designer: Zhe Huang
The Mission S was designed as a part of Huang’s internship at studiokurbos, Shanghai. Although unaffiliated with the Porsche brand, the Mission S builds on the German marque’s automotive legacy, channeling the same energy that Porsche had when it debuted the Mission X or even the 919. This isn’t your friendly-looking Cayman or 911. It eschews the rounded-headlight curvy design language for something that’s more purpose-built for a racetrack.
The car sports a rather smooth design with flowy surfaces that come together cleanly, instead of being overrun with vents, grooves, and other dramatic details you’d see in overtly aggressive racecars from the likes of Lamborghini. The Mission S doesn’t completely surrender its curves, but rather limits the use of them to the front fenders, keeping its silhouette rather simple. A highlight of its design is its unconventional tail, which tapers off when viewed vertically, resulting in a centrally-located edge-lit taillight. “The design inspiration comes from the waterdrop in ‘Three Body’, which gives the car an extremely dynamic and pure body shape like the Porsche 908 and Porsche Vision Gran Turismo,” Huang says.
The Mission S measures 5.6m (18.3 feet) long and 2.1m (6.8 feet) wide, allowing five passengers including a professional racer to sit inside its cockpit. It stands at 1.26m (4.1 feet) tall, matching the height of the 911, while having the occupants inside sit in a more supercar-esque posture.
Embracing its futuristic demeanor, light-strips make quite an appearance in the Mission S’ design, with their presence on the front in the form of the headlights, as well as the back where the centrally located taillight is also accompanied by lights on each side.
The Mission S experience can be divided between its two variants, rather appropriately named the White and the Black versions. For the faint of heart, the White version prioritizes comfort and friendliness… but if you’re looking to put the pedal to the metal and taste the adrenaline, the Black variant offers faster speeds, a more thrilling experience, and sports a spoiler at the back to maximize downforce for that asphalt-hugging speed experience.
Quite like the Mission X which was revealed in June of this year, it seems like the Mission S concept embraces an electric drivetrain too. It doesn’t discard the venting on the front, which would be a telltale sign of an EV, but rather retains it perhaps for cooling and airflow purposes. One rather elongated door on either side gives access to the Mission S’ interiors, which seat up to 5 people in a 1+2+2 format. The car’s windshield extends all the way from the front to the back, creating a bubble-like effect that is interrupted by the car’s same-color pillars and roof but still strives to offer a panoramic view for its occupants with windows that stretch from the front to the back, and that expansive windshield.
The Mission S aims to deliver the thrill of racing to non-racers with its S trifecta – Speed, Spaciousness, and a Subversive Experience. Although currently just a fan-made concept (with no official endorsement from Porsche), it serves as a great case study for a new car format – with a 5-seater design that doesn’t sacrifice spaciousness… and that gorgeous tail that allows the car to cut through air like a sizzling hot knife through butter!
