The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

bitecars It has four high-performance and near-wheel-built electric motors embodying an agile implementation vision of a dynam- ic luxury sedan. With a combined engine power of more than 350 kW, the intelligent and fully variable torque distribution delivers driving dynamics in a highly efficient manner. Thanks to its innovative all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, each wheel can be operated separately with the front and rear axles driven simultaneously or in opposite ways, which allows it to manoeuvre sideways. Inside The Cabin Design and UX migrate in a fusion of interior and exterior with the distinctive inside-out design structure connecting the in- side and outside. The stretched 'one bow' design and organic design language offer a visionary outlook on future innovation. Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the vehicle is operat- ed through the multifunctional control element in the centre console that symbolises the Tree of Souls, the sacred place of the Na’vi. It extends to the A-pillar consisting of several tinted parts, and creates a roof structure that encloses the passengers in the back seat like a cocoon. The control unit is the intuitive heart of the vehicle that seamlessly integrates into the central tunnel and encompasses the driver and passenger before continuing into the rear seats. The interconnection between human and ma- chine occurs when placing the hand on the centre control to bring the interior to life. After lifting your hand, a menu selection projects onto the palm, where occupants can intuitively choose between differ- ent functionalities. Occupants in the front on either side can use the centre control to accelerate, brake or reverse and also turn the AVTR to crab-walk to the left or right. The illuminated lights around and inside the vehicle respond to each command, and at night, it dynamically lights up. Imagine seeing this Av- atar-inspired futuristic car careering past you in the dead of night. On the curved display, experience real-time 3D graphics like the fictional world of Pandora, the exoplanetary moon home of the Na’vi, from different perspectives. Immerse yourself into the fantasy and magical world of the 10-foot tall, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids and relive the interactive Avatar film. Or, opt for the natural outside world while keeping your eyes on what's happening on the road. Combined with energy lines, these detailed real-time images allow the occupants to discover and interact with the outside environment. It also provides wonders of nature, such as the Huangshan Mountains of China, the 115-metre-high Hyperi- on Tree found in the United States, and the pink salt Lake Hill- ier in Australia can be explored in detail. Other forces of nature not ordinarily visible to the human eye include magnetic fields, bioenergy and ultraviolet light. The front seats, refined by vegan DINAMICA® leather, are reminiscent of the leaf hammocks in Home Tree from the first Avatar film. It is the first and only microfibre that guarantees environmental sustainability throughout the production cycle. The rear seat headrest stretches forward into the headrest of the front seat. Another sustainable feature is the floor deco- rated with an innovative wood called Karuun®, giving interior warmth and radiating naturalness. Rattan, the raw material used to make Karuun®, is found in Indonesia. It proliferates and is typically harvested by hand by local farmers in an environmentally friendly way. It has signif- icant advantages in cultivation over other wood or non-wood products. While it depends on biodiversity, it cannot thrive in a monoculture, meaning the active support of its cultivation contributes to protecting the planet's rainforests. On the Outside Admirers will be captivated by the 33 bionic flaps on the back of the vehicle, reminiscent of a reptile’s scales. These and the neutral light lines react to the outside approach and reflect the passengers' emotions and activities. They change their orien- tation in unison to optimally support the vehicle during ma- noeuvres and express the connection between humans and the Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz