Mercedes-Benz Introduces Pixelated EV Grille for the 2027 GLC – A Blend of Retro Charm and Modern Innovation

Mercedes-Benz is giving its electric future a bold new face—and it’s pixel-perfect. The German luxury automaker has revealed a striking pixelated grille design that will debut on the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, the battery-powered version of its best-selling compact luxury SUV.

While pixel art may seem more at home in the retro-gaming world of Minecraft or classic 8-bit consoles, Mercedes is embracing the style as a high-tech statement. The grille features 942 square pixels, each illuminated by around 140 LEDs, capable of displaying custom animations.

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A Grille That Greets You Like a Work of Art

This isn’t just about looks. The grille will display welcome and farewell animations, including a mesmerizing “breathing” pulse effect when the vehicle is awaiting start-up. At night, the lighting pattern becomes a unique signature, instantly recognizable in a rearview mirror. By day, the design blends into a classic Mercedes look, ensuring tradition meets innovation.

To emphasize the design’s heritage, Mercedes staged a Gallery of Grilles—an art-style exhibit with black-draped walls showcasing decades of Mercedes front-end designs. From the 1902 Mercedes Simplex, which used a honeycomb pattern of square tubes for better airflow, to the pixel-like styles of the 1950s, the brand highlighted its historical claim to this geometric aesthetic.

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Why the Pixel Look?

Hyundai has used pixel motifs to great effect in its Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 9 EVs, as well as the new Santa Fe. But Mercedes insists it had the concept first, citing historical designs dating back over a century. Whether the public sees it as uniquely Mercedes or reminiscent of its Korean competitor will likely depend on how the rest of the new GLC shapes up.

Marketing wisdom says it’s not just about being the first—it’s about being recognized as the first. Mercedes is betting that this distinctive grille will become a visual trademark for its future electric lineup.

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Coming Soon to More Mercedes EVs

The 2027 GLC EV will be the first to feature this pixelated grille, but it won’t be the last. Mercedes confirmed that several future electric vehicles will adopt the design. A camouflaged prototype of the GLC was previewed ahead of its full debut at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich this September, though the grille itself remained hidden for now.

Whether drivers see the grille as a nod to Mercedes history or a stylish competitor to Hyundai’s design language, one thing’s clear—the pixelated look is about to become a defining feature of the brand’s electric future.

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