Mercedes-Benz took the covers off its IAA Concept at the media night on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Showcasing new aerodynamic tech and a strong emphasis on digital design, the IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) Concept is claimed to be two cars in one. The first is an aerodynamics warrior, with a drag coefficient of just 0.19 and the second is a four-door coupe showcasing futuristic design.

Mercedes-Benz IAA Concept Details

The car has two modes: design mode and aerodynamic mode. The switch happens at 80kph when numerous bits of aero move around to alter the shape of the Mercedes-Benz IAA Concept.The rear extends, increasing its length by up to 390mm; flaps in the front bumper extend by 25mm to the front and 20 mm to the rear, improving the air flow around the front end and the front wheel arches, and finally the Active Rims alter their cupping from 55mm to zero; and the louvre in the front bumper moves 60mm to the rear which improves air flow underneath the car.

The interior is extraordinarily futuristic and carries on the design style of the S-Class and S-Class coupe. The Mercedes-Benz IAA Concept interior gives us some idea of what a future business saloon such as an S-Class or even an E-Class might look like in the coming years. The tech is next level, featuring items like gesture control and two touchscreens.

Other features of the Mercedes-Benz IAA Concept include a sneak peek intoCar-to-X technology, which enables communication with other vehicles or other sources of information.

“The ‘Concept IAA’ continues our series of visionary concept cars,” explains Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG. “The symbiosis of alluring forms showcasing intelligent aerodynamics is an expression of our unique Mercedes-Benz design philosophy.”

The concept car is powered by a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid drive combination with a total output of 205 kW. It has an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. In aerodynamic mode the Mercedes-BenzConcept IAA can doan all-electric range of 66 km. In design mode the range is slightly less at 62 km When driving in hybrid model the CO2 emissions are 28g and 31g per km, respectively.