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Nowadays technology and design are moving ahead at high speeds, thus the designers and engineers have to keep up with the alert rhythm. The whole car was penciled as a continuation of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows W25. With the digital age in full swing, we no longer have to leave our homes to find new experiences. In 2030, the progressive movement of digitalization of life has resulted in people who no longer have to leave their houses to experience something. They will spend their spare time alone at home and social contacts will only take place via online networks. The use of public transport and the simulation of all actions will raise a longing to sit behind a real steering wheel again. They want to really join the race, rather than simulating the trip digitally only on the screen. The basic concept of the Touch Effect makes use of these developments.

Based on the rental of racing cars for private persons on specially designed tracks the vehicle is used similarly to today's karting as a group activity, pushing them to their limits. What will we all do for fun in the future when we’re bored with all the digital thrills we have sought indoors? Designer Marco Sweston has the answer: a track racer built from synthetic bone, muscle, and skin that runs in a pack on a custom-designed race course. The Touch Effect concept uses a carbon fiber frame reminiscent of a skeleton, which is surrounded by synthetic muscles that control the suspension, steering, and insulation of the vehicle. Topping it all off is an acrylic glass skin that is transparent to show off the muscles doing their thing underneath. The steering mechanism is an extension of the muscles, which functions like reins. Designed as a continuation of the Silver Arrows like W25, the project has been to a large extent inspired by this model of Mercedes Benz. The vehicle thereby designed for this sport car has a light weight main body with a stiff carbon frame that imparts it ruggedness and an overall stability.

The other core muscles for the motor-sport vehicle have been made from flexible synthetic that can be deformed using voltage difference. These have been covered partially using acrylic glass surfaces on the exterior thereby giving a visual feel of a merger of all parts into one volume. However, the hull has been kept a bit unveiled so as to convey the impression of being light-weight. In addition to the designing part, the vehicle has facilities for automatic ground clearance adjustment as well as a four-wheel steering. The Project by Marco Sweston Sport Car Racing in 2030 Touch Effect Motorsports Mercedes-Benz W25 exterior acrylic glass surfaces partially surround the muscles. They represent the skin of the concept which merges all parts into one volume and make them visible underneath, showing off their function. All elements combined allow a directed and controlled motion. The two skin surfaces surround the driver like a brace to emphasize the seating position. The transparent hull is unveiled at areas which do not necessarily need a covering. This reduction and the see-trough appearance reflect the idea of lightweight car construction. Eventually, the muscles flow into the interior and form a part of the steering. The vehicle is controlled by pulling the muscles - similar to the idea of reins on a horse. The muscles accentuate the shape of the frame and run into the wheels to accentuate their function.

Local activities providing an opportunity for an intensive exchange of information on the topic of electric mobility will take place on more than 20 days at several locations along the route. The programme will also incorporate politics and partners of the Stuttgart-based automotive manufacturer. The participants of the tour will therefore pay a visit to the car2go mobility project in Austin, Texas, among others. Austin was the first location for the innovative mobility concept outside of Europe, and the project continues to be extremely successful there. A few days later, the participants will visit the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation in Vancouver, Canada. This is where the fuel cell stacks used in the B-Class F-CELL, for example, were developed. The company was established in 2007 with Daimler as the majority shareholder (50.1 percent). The other partners are the Ford Motor Company (30 percent) and Ballard Power Systems (19.9 percent). Furthermore, participants on the Vancouver leg of the tour in Canada will also have the opportunity to meet the adventurer and explorer Mike Horn and experience his PANGAEA Expedition - for which Mercedes-Benz is the main sponsor - first hand.