Mercedes-Benz Anti-Collision System Saves Google Executive
Google's senior VP-Engineering, Vic Gundotra, is best known
for being the brains behind Google+, but he's become more of a household name lately as the star of a new Mercedes-Benz commercial.
In the TV spot, which has been airing since July, Mr.
Gundotra describes how he was driving his Mercedes-Benz S-Class when, all of a sudden, traffic came
to an abrupt stop in front of him. And before he could even hit the brake pedal, the sensors of his car's
collision system were activated to bring him to a halt. It's no wonder he calls the technology "magical software."
The :30 second spot is impressive enough, but you can watch the extended feature "Driven to Distraction" below.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Set For Launch
By Mark Kleis@LeftLaneNews.com
This new B-Class car is sure to be a strong seller in Europe in
hatchback form, but While the hatchback pictured will likely not be sold
in America, the German automaker is still considering offering future
coupe and SUV variants to U.S. and international customers.
Compared to the model
it replaces, it is clear that the new car is lower and more dynamically
styled than the old model, with flowing character lines under the
beltline providing a healthy dose of visual interest.
The
B-Class will be powered by a new 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel
engine derived from the larger OM651 unit used in Mercedes’ S-Class and
C-Class models. The oil-burner will be available in two different
variants, making 109 horsepower or 136 horsepower. Gasoline powerplants
will also be on offer in the form of the company’s new, turbocharged and
direct-injected M270 four-cylinders. A 1.6-liter unit will produce
122-horsepower while 156 ponies can be had from the 2.0-liter variant.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV makes its on-road debut in the
U.S.. The 2012 M-Class represents the third generation of a
highly successful Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle that began the
industry trend toward SUVs with a more car-like ride.
iCars, your Mercedes-Benz Curaçao Dealer, begins the 2012 model year with two M-Class models – the
thrifty ML350 BlueTEC diesel now has considerably more power (240
horsepower, 455 lb.-ft. of torque), while the popular ML350 4MATIC is
equipped with a brand new direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp, 273
lb.-ft.).
While the dramatically styled 2012 M-Class sits about 3/4-inch lower
than the previous model, the new SUV is nearly an inch longer and a
half-inch wider. This eye-catching interpretation of a modern SUV makes
a strong presence that projects trend-setting design and quality.
Watch the video below and you can also read this review of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class @ TodayOnline.
Mercedes-Benz Pitches The Viano Vision Pearl As The S-Class Of Vans
Mercedes-Benz is a big player in the tall, narrow commercial van segment in Europe, and some of its vans even do service as high-end transporters.
No factory-built Benz van, however, is as VIP-tastic as the new Viano
Vision Pearl, a luxurious “maritime-themed” land yacht for six
passengers that the company brought to the Frankfurt auto show in
September.
For those not deeply versed in the electrifying Euro van segment, Benz’s Viano slots between the automaker’s work-van Vito and its larger Sprinter, and goes toe-to-toe with Volkswagen’s Transporter
vans. Like nearly all vans, the Viano Vision Pearl has no pretenses of
tossability or driving bliss—it is all about pampering its occupants
with sprawling interior space and what look to be top-notch fittings.
Ready to experience the thrill of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that
produces 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque? Unfortunately,
that kind of excitement doesn't come cheap. Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for its upcoming 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan.
The two-door starts at $151,125 and the four-door will set you back at least $138,875. Both are available with the optional AMG
Performance Package, which ups the power output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft
of torque. A little lower on the power pole sits the restyled 2011
CL550 4MATIC, which starts at $114,025, and is motivated by a 4.6-liter
V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.
The 4.6-liter unit is 20 percent smaller, in terms of displacement, than
the engine it replaces, yet produces 12 percent more horsepower, 32
percent more torque and improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The AMG
mill also sees considerable gains in power, and thanks to
direct-injection and the use of start/stop technology it sees a 20
percent rise in fuel economy.
Mercedes-Benz releases pricing for 2011 CL550 4Matic, 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan
Mercedes-Benz USA is offering automotive journalists the first
drive on U.S. roads of their all-new direct injection biturbo V8
engines. Powering through New York State's Hudson Valley region, the new
4.6-liter V8 engine has 20 percent smaller displacement than its
predecessor but generates 429 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque - 12
percent more horsepower and 32 percent more torque than the engine it
replaces yet fuel economy improves by about 10%. This new engine is
available in the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, with an MSRP of $114,025.
The second engine making its debut is the hand-assembled
high-performance 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine, featuring the use of
stop/start technology as well as twin turbochargers and direct
injection. This new engine produces 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque while
at the same time achieving an estimated 20 percent improvement in fuel
economy. Mated to the award-winning 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT
transmission, this new engine is available in the 2011 CL63 AMG coupe
($151,125) and S63 AMG sedan ($138,875). For even more performance the
optionally available AMG Performance Package increases engine power to
563 hp and 664 lb-ft. for torque; top speed also increases to 186 mph.
The epitome of luxury coupes
These new engines make their U.S. debut in the restyled 2011 CL-Class
set to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships in November. The flagship
coupe of the Mercedes-Benz model range, the CL-Class features a new
hood, fenders, grille, bi-xenon headlights with LED turn signals and
daytime running lights. The rear of the vehicle incorporates new LED
taillights, bumper-integrated exhaust pipes and reverse lights now
located in the trunk lid. Inside, the interior includes new steering
wheel design and interior colors.
Innovative New Safety Options for 2011 CL-Class Models
New safety options for the 2011 CL-Class line include Active Lane
Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist that both incorporate
automatic ESP brake intervention. Active Lane Keeping Assist recognizes
lane markings (thanks to a multi-purpose camera in the windshield and a
computer that analyzes the images) and alerts the driver by simulating
rumble strip vibrations in the steering wheel if the car drifts from its
lane without the turn signals on.
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors both blind spots behind the vehicle.
Whenever a turn signal is activated with a vehicle in the blind spot,
the driver is alerted with visual and audible warnings. Both Active Lane
Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist now incorporate a brake
intervention feature, in which ESP braking automatically helps correct
the car's course if the driver doesn't heed the initial warning.
Mercedes-Benz Highlights From Paris: The New CLS Class Unveiled
When the CLS-Class first arrived on the scene in 2005,
it created more than a groundswell of attention. It created a new
vehicle category. The fierce elegance of a coupe was imbued with the
wherewithal--not to mention the four doors--of a sedan. And the rest is
history. Until now.
Although the CLS remains a captivating anomaly in
today's automotive landscape, an enthralling new incarnation will be
unveiled this October at the Paris Auto Show. And it promises to define
an entire class of vehicle. Again.
One look at the long hood, frameless side windows, and
flowing roofline reveals how it pays homage to the coupes of
Mercedes-Benz past. Yet the transformed front end - sporting an
aggressive, upright grille with integrated three-pointed-star --
emphatically points to the road ahead. Powerful contours slope rearward
from the front wheel wells with newfound swagger, while flared wheel
arches and massive air inlets with black grilles add further definition
to its muscular appearance.
The all-new 2012 CLS also boasts the world's first
headlamps to offer full LED capability for all of its dynamic light
functions--71 LEDs in all. Wraparound tail lights featuring LED
technology close the luminously redesigned circle. One that extends
inward, as well.
The exclusive, stitched dashboard now stretches all the
way across the cockpit -- from the driver's door to that of the front
passenger. Satin and high-gloss finishes join details such as a
high-gloss-trimmed analogue clock. Painstaking details, that is, like
hand-stitched and hand-fitted leather seat covers.
Of course, the all-new 2012 CLS Coupe delivers
performance just as meticulously crafted. Just unleash the 402
horsepower from its biturbo V-8 engine, and you'll see, hear and feel
precisely how.
Key Highlights
0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds*
14-speaker, 610-watt harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround-sound system
Seating for four adults in hand-stitched leather
Hand-crafted trims from Burl Walnut or Black Ash wood to available Black Piano Lacquer wood or Carbon Fiber
World's first headlamps to offer full LED capability for all dynamic light functions
PRE-SAFE predictive occupant protection system
*Stated rate of acceleration is based upon manufacturer's track
results and may vary depending upon model, environmental and road
conditions, driving style, elevation and vehicle load
Mercedes-Benz Highlights From Paris: iPad Integration Prototype Shown
Mobile entertainment is what the Apple iPad is all about.
Thanks to an innovative docking station, Mercedes-Benz Accessories is now demonstrating how the tablet computer
could be integrated into the rear of many Mercedes-Benz models.
The
prototype of the docking station is being presented at the Paris Motor
Show in an S-Class, and the plan is to launch the integration solution
for the iPad onto the market for a variety of Mercedes models after
development for series production. Mounted on the back of the front
seats at head restraint height, the holder significantly extends the
usability of the iPad: the battery of the tablet PC
begins to charge as soon as the device is placed in the holder. Once
at the destination, it can be simply removed without having to be
switched off, and during the journey all of the entertainment products
stored on the iPad can continue to be used. The docking station can be
turned and tilted to achieve the best viewing angle, and if the vehicle
is fitted with the Mercedes-Benz InCar Hotspot then even an iPad
without UMTS functionality can enjoy the benefit of a full connection
to the Internet.
Mercedes-Benz Highlights From Paris: A Class E Cell Introduced
It's
refreshing to have an automaker introduce an electric car at an auto
show that will actually be going into production right away. That is
what Mercedes-Benz will be doing with the new A-Class E-CELL this fall,
even if the production run will only be for 500 units.
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new E-CELL at the Paris motor show
and the vehicle will be the second electric car the Stuttgart-based
automaker will produce, after the B-Class F-CELL.
Based on the five-door, five-seat standard Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the
A-Class E-CELL features a 70 kW (95 PS) electric motor with two
lithium-ion batteries packed underneath the passenger compartment which
allows the E-CELL to have the same volume capacity as the standard
A-Class as well as provide a lower center of gravity for the car which
makes for better handling and driving dynamics.
The 36 kWh batteries are said to provide the A-Class E-CELL with a
range of around 200 km (124 miles). Maximum torque from the electric
motor is a hefty 290 Nm but the continuous power rating is a mere 50 kW
(68 PS) which is probably why Mercedes prefers to only give the 0 to 60
km/h sprint time in its press release, which is 5.5 seconds.
Charging the A-Class E-CELL from a conventional 230 volt (Europe)
outlet takes about 8 hrs for a range of 100 km. With a "wall box" or
proper recharging point that time is cut to 3 hours. Still a long way
away from a 2 minute fuel stop at the local gas station.
Source: Daimler
FirstLight: Mercedes-Benz teases 2012 SLK
October 8,2010 by Andrew Peterson @ automobilemag.com
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to unveil its 2012 SLK
at the Geneva Motor Show next year, but some six months before the car
drops, the German luxury car maker is beginning to release teaser images
of its new roadster.
Not much can be garnered from the teaser image apart from the fact that -- surprise! -- the SLK
is set to keep its two-piece folding hardtop configuration. The
roofline is very similar to the car's now, but the top itself is rather
different. Instead of the standard metal roof, the teaser shows the SLK with a transparent glass roof.
Dubbed
Magic Sky Control by Mercedes, the glass isn't just standard glass, but
incorporates electromagnetic particles to adjust transparency. The
system works using an electrical current to align the particles, causing
varying degrees of transparency. If the system is switched off, the
particles orient themselves randomly, blocking most light. When an
electrical current is applied, the particles align themselves, allowing
the glass to become transparent.
We hate wires. We can't count the number of times that our headphones
were unceremoniously yanked from our heads (or ear canals) because the
wire got snagged while ordering our Brazilian man-servant about. Kleer
solved this problem years
ago but still haven't broken into the mainstream thanks in no small
part to the preponderance of low-cost (and low-quality) Bluetooth
headphones. That could change with the visibility provided by a new
partnership with Mercedes to replace line-of-site infrared technology
the company had been using. The deal will equip 2010 Mercedes-Benz
E-Class and S-Class models with Kleer's proprietary, low-power,
CD-quality digital wireless audio emitted from a pair of video screens
on the back of the seats. Occupants wearing the Mercedes-provided Kleer
headphones or any compatible
pair can then select which audio stream their headphones receive
without interfering with Bluetooth or WiFi connected devices. Win, win.
First Look: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Prototype
From Automobilemag.com
June
21, 2010
Yes,
the all-electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Prototype has slightly
less horsepower than its gas-powered sibling. But it still has a very
impressive 526 horsepower and 649-pound-feet of torque -- the latter
available from the moment you mash the pedal to the floor. When you do
stomp the E-Cell's accelerator, it will blast 60 mph in four seconds,
according to the Benz AMG folks.
Despite the E-Cell's impressive numbers, why remove
the SLS AMG's 6.2-liter, 563 horsepower V-8, one of the most sonically
rewarding supercar mills in production? It's all part of Mercedes' AMG
Performance 2015 strategy, the goal of which is to "continually reduce
the fuel consumption and emissions of new models in the coming years,
while at the same time enhancing the core brand value of performance,"
says Ola Källenius, Mercedes-AMG GmbH's new chairman.
The electric drivetrain allows
AMG to place weight efficiently and required no modifications to the
SLS' aluminum spaceframe. The lithium-ion polymer battery modules sit in
front of the firewall, in the center tunnel, and behind the seats,
aiding in both lowering the E-Cell's center of gravity and better
balancing its weight. The motors, though not mounted on the wheel-hubs,
are low in the chassis and close to each wheel. Each motor can achieve a
maximum of 12,000 rpm.
The two motors up front did
require AMG to redesign the front suspension. The present SLS has a
double wishbone while the E-Cell employs an independent multilink
suspension with pushrod damper struts. Still, Mercedes maintains that
the E-Cell retains the handling characteristics of the gas-powered SLS.
It should sure stop like one: The E-Cell wears the SLS's optional
ceramic composite brakes, sized 18.5-inches front and 14.2-inches rear.
The rotors are 40-percent lighter than the standard set of binders, and
they also charge the battery during braking.
