MERCEDES-Benz has revealed a concept hypercar which is a tribute to its iconic experimental C111 models of more than 50 years ago but points to the company's electric future.

The all-electric Vision One-Eleven uses the signature Mercedes-Benz One-Bow design that is a marker of its 21stâcentury style.

It is powered by an axial-flux motor developed by electric motor specialist YASA, a British company which has been a 100-per cent subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz since July 2021.

Mercedes says the Vision One-Eleven is inspired by the tradition of the legendary C 111 experimental vehicles from the 1960s and 70s, which were used to test revolutionary Wankel and turbodiesel engines.

They were also prototypes for testing polymer-based bodyshells.

The extremely dynamic mid-engine sports cars are considered design icons of their era, not least due to their distinctive gullwing doors and orange-and-black paintwork.

"The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven combines breathtaking design with groundbreaking powertrain technology. Like its historical namesake, it explores new paths for the future of sporting performance," said Markus Schafer, Mercedes chief technology officer.

"At the heart of the compact and extremely efficient powertrain is the innovative YASA axial-flux high-tech electric motor. It offers a motorsport-like power output from a considerably smaller package.

"This makes the YASA axial-flux motor ideal for electric high-performance vehicles. Combined with the liquid-cooled cylindrical-cell battery with Formula-1 inspired cell chemistry, the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is yet another proof point for the broad performance spectrum encompassed by our four-pronged development strategy for electric drive."

YASA is based in Oxford and as a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG has secured access to a unique future technology that has the potential to take electric mobility to a new level of performance.

"Axial-flux motors are significantly lighter and more compact, yet more powerful than comparable radial-flux motors currently used in 99 per cent of all electric cars," said Tim Woolmer, founder and chief technology officer of YASA.

"In an axial-flux motor, the electromagnetic flow runs parallel to the motor's rotational axis, which is highly efficient. In a radial-flux motor, the flow runs perpendicular to the rotational axis. Compared to radial-flux motors, they have considerably higher and more enduring power reserves, which delivers a whole new level of performance."

Alongside its power and torque density, another major benefit is the narrow package, which reduces both its weight and dimensions. The weight of an axial-flux motor is just one third of that of current electric motors with the same power output.

At the same time, it requires just one-third of the space occupied by a radial-flux motor.

The future generation of YASA axial-flux motors will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin-Marienfelde plant. The motors manufactured there will be at the heart of the forthcoming powertrain for the performance segment.