This concept car from Mercedes-Benz pairs future technology with elements of the past, featuring a design inspired by art deco.

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, is designed to offer a glimpse of what the German auto brand's luxury models could one day look like.

The two-seater car is primarily designed as an electric model, and is powered by four battery-operated motors that offer over 500 kilometres of driving distance.

However, through its design, the company was keen to reflect the luxurious look of classic cars – taking cues from the art deco period for the shell, and creating a "haute couture" interior decked out in high-quality materials.

"The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is a car which, with its sensual, emotionally appealing design and innovative technical concept solutions, defines the ultimate in luxury of the future," said Mercedes-Benz. "At the same time, the two-seater model pays homage to the glorious automotive haute couture of hand-finished, exclusive cabriolets."

"The glamorous cabriolet reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extravagant way and combines intelligent beauty with classic, aesthetic proportions and a reduced, 'technoid' appearance."

The car measures almost six metres in length – mostly made up by its extremely long bonnet, which folds up to reveal a fully stocked dinner service and space for luggage.

It is also the first open-top Maybach model produced by Mercedes-Benz in decades.

The car's sweeping exterior is based on that of a yacht, and is painted in a dark blue named "nautical blue metallic", with chrome highlights on its sides, bonnet and boot.

The grille is based on the lines on a pinstripe suit, while alloy wheels are plated with rose gold.

Inside the car, which the company describes as an "open-air luxury lounge", white leather has been used to upholster the seats – with trimmings finished in rose-gold threads.

Wood flooring – also a nod to yachting – is used throughout the interior, under the bonnet and in the boot.

Display elements are integrated into a digital strip that runs around the doors, dashboard and the rear of the car. But to contrast with this futuristic look, classic round dials remain in place.

"The combination of digital displays with real needles is also totally on trend," said the company. "By using 'hyperanalogue' elements, [we] are responding to the needs of people to experience analogue luxury in what is an increasingly digital world."

To keep up with the needs of future drivers, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is also equipped with touch-sensitive controls, a mapping function that links to calendar appointments, and a "concierge" that acts on voice command.

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet follows on from the company's Vision Tokyo – a self-driving concept vehicle created for "young, urban trendsetters" – and the drone-equipped Vision Van that features fully automated cargo loading and drones that drop off packages.