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Mercedes slaps sheet of LEDs on the side of an F-Cell, turns car into a chameleon

Michael Gorman — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:12:00 EST

It's not often that folks want to hide the fact that they're driving a Mercedes, what with plenty of them being among of the finest motorcars on the road. However, as part of a marketing plan to call attention to its zero-emissions F-Cell model, the German marque swathed a side of one in LEDs to give it the ultimate in camouflage. You see, in addition to that makeshift display, a Canon 5D Mark II was mounted on the other side of the car so that video of its surroundings could be shown on the LED bodywork -- rendering the car all but invisible to onlookers, as long as they're staring at the left side, of course. Go ahead, head on down to see the magic of digital camo for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes slaps sheet of LEDs on the side of an F-Cell, turns car into a chameleon

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: 300 passenger bus, babyloid robot and a jellyfish-esque LED chandelier

Inhabitat — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Sustainable transportation broke new boundaries by land and sea this week as Inhabitat reported that China launched the first 300 passenger bus and the world's largest solar ship closed in on completing its first trip around the globe. We also saw Drayson unveil a turbocharged 850 horsepower all-electric supercar while Mercedes announced plans to bring its B-Class E-Cell electric Vehicle to the US next year. Speaking of hot upcoming cars, this week we brought you a video showcasing 5 of the most exciting eco cars from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and we shared 7 new hybrid and electric vehicles that you'll be able to purchase this year.

The world of renewable energy also heated up this week as scientists hatched a plan to harness volcano power by pouring millions of gallons of water into a dormant crater and President Obama rejected TransCanada's plans for the Keystone Xl pipeline. Meanwhile Philips unveiled a transparent solar-powered OLED car sunroof that charges during the day and lights up at night, and we took a look inside Switzerland's Berghotel Muottas - the first hotel in the Alps that generates more energy than it consumes. Clean energy technology also dived into the deep blue sea as Ireland's massive SeaGen tidal turbine received environmental approval, researchers found a way to turn seaweed into biofuel using a human stomach microbe, and a Nobel laureate developed the world's cheapest and most effective CO2 sponge.

In other news, this week we brought you the most freshest new green gadgets - from a tree trunk turntable that plays wood rings like records to a stunning jellyfish-esque LED chandelier and a cuddly Babyloid robot designed to comfort senior citizens. We also showcased the world's smallest greeting card (300 micro-meters wide!), a massive 300 lb stormtrooper cake, and five educational and arty apps for creative kids. Finally, we rounded up the hottest news in eco fashion - including the world's largest garment made from golden spider silk and an awesome set of bow ties made from recycled LEGO bricks.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: 300 passenger bus, babyloid robot and a jellyfish-esque LED chandelier originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz gesture control concept is DICEy

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:41:00 EST

Ze Germans seem to be obsessed with Minority Report-style interior controls, and Mercedes-Benz has taken it to the next level with a full-scale interior with nary a button or switch to be found.

Mercedes' Dynamic & Intuitive Control Experience (DICE) utilizes a series of proximity sensors to detect arm and hand movements, which control everything from music, navigation and social functionality to a heads-up display that comprises the entire windshield.

You can get a feel for the system in action in the video after the break, but as you'll see, it's very beta, mistaking hand movements for selections and generally being a pain to use - let alone control while you're driving a car. Thankfully, Mercedes has plenty of time to work out the kinks as it won't be coming to production for at least a couple decades.

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Mercedes-Benz gesture control concept is DICEy originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler testing wireless charging on a Mercedes Benz in a house from the future

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST

Daimler (owners of Mercedes-Benz and Smart) is teaming up with Conductix-Wampfler and Röchling Automotive KG to produce wireless charging coils to form the centerpiece of 2012's Effizienzhaus-Plus. It's a government-backed project to build and test a dwelling that generates more energy than it uses -- the excess will then charge the supplied B-Class E-Cell 'Benz EV without the need of cabling. Simply park the car over a coil in the garage floor and the electromagnetic field will juice your environmentally friendly whip for free. The company hopes the project will iron out the logistical and financial issues preventing it from bringing the tech to the Autobahns of the world. One thing the project can't do, however, is soothe the troubled brow of the fossil-fuel lobby -- the press release we've got below dryly notes that "clearly, BP will not be happy about this."

[Thanks, Ashley]

Continue reading Daimler testing wireless charging on a Mercedes Benz in a house from the future

Daimler testing wireless charging on a Mercedes Benz in a house from the future originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz F 125! looks like the future, runs on hydrogen

Tim Stevens — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:40:00 EST

As expected, the feature concept car being shown by Mercedes-Benz at Frankfurt this year was the F 125! But Merc isn't actually calling it a concept, rather a "research vehicle" that will help the company work toward a gasoline-free future. In this case it's a hydrogen-filled future, with this car running on compressed gas and so giving off only water vapor and oxygen as emissions. But, it's also a plug-in, meaning you can charge this thing up on your garage in addition to topping off the tank at your local H2 filling station -- at some point in the future when you actually have an H2 filling station. Read on for more details.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F 125! concept

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz F 125! looks like the future, runs on hydrogen

Mercedes-Benz F 125! looks like the future, runs on hydrogen originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz debuts B-Class E-Cell Plus EV concept, the suburban limo revisioned

Lydia Leavitt — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:26:00 EST

Family transportation has come a long way since it was all about piling in the back of the humble station wagon -- in particular, we're talking about the new Mercedez-Benz Concept B-Class E-Cell Plus EV that debuted today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The plug-in series hybrid has a 136-horsepower electric motor with a 62-mile range, and a 67-horsepower, 1.0-liter three cylinder turbocharged gas engine for range-extending capabilities up to 373 miles. At low speeds, the petrol engine charges the lithium-ion batteries. When going faster, it acts on the car's front wheels, while the electric engine also chugs along -- very much like the Chevy Volt. Mercedes promises zero to 62MPH in 11 seconds and top speeds of 93MPH in both battery-only and range-extending modes. No word yet on when this dream ride will be available for family carpools, but eager June Cleavers can check out the photo gallery and full PR after the break.

Update: We've added a gallery from Frankfurt!

Gallery: Mercedes B-Class E-Cell Plus EV

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz B-Class E-Cell Plus

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz debuts B-Class E-Cell Plus EV concept, the suburban limo revisioned

Mercedes-Benz debuts B-Class E-Cell Plus EV concept, the suburban limo revisioned originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-powered F125! concept slips out ahead of Frankfurt

Donald Melanson — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:04:00 EST

Mercedes-Benz is certainly no stranger to hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles, and it looks like the automaker is now about to show off its latest concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. That's dubbed the F125! (apparently pronounced F one twenty FIVE), and it promises a top speed of 137 miles per hour, 0 to 62 in 4.9 seconds, and 100 kilometers on 0.79 kilograms of hydrogen (or 621 miles on a full tank). Apparently, the concept is also intended to demonstrate the design direction for 2025 CL-Class, although there's no indication as of yet that Mercedes-Benz plans to put a hydrogen-powered CL-Class into production. Hit the links below for a few more shots that have leaked out ahead of the show.

Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-powered F125! concept slips out ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz completes hydrogen-powered F-Cell World Drive, but had to bring its own fuel

Jesse Hicks — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 17:03:00 EST

At January's Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz eagerly showed off its hydrogen-powered F-Cell car, vowing to prove the viability of fuel-cell vehicles by driving three of them around the world. And now, 18,641 total miles later, it's completed that circumnavigation, arriving safely home at the company's Stuttgart headquarters. Does this prove fuel-cells are ready for prime time? Well, the trip took 70 driving days to cover four continents, and the vehicles' range topped out at just over 400 miles -- in Kazahkstan. But M-B admits there are only 200 refilling stations worldwide; in most cases the F-Cells had to rely on a tag-along mobile refueling unit. The company hopes its demonstration will spur development in a refilling-station infrastructure: having a fuel-cell car you can't easily refuel must feel like owning a flying DeLorean in 1885. To get the full breakdown, see the Mercedes-Benz PR after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz completes hydrogen-powered F-Cell World Drive, but had to bring its own fuel

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Mercedes-Benz debuts tablet-packing A-Class concept

Christopher Trout — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST

As fond as we are of the A-Class, it's never been the best looking Benz in the bunch, but with the introduction of the new A-Class concept, it looks like that could soon change. One of the car's designers describes it variously as sexy, expressive, and beautifully formed, and while we wouldn't go quite that far, we have to say it's not too shabby. The car sports some interesting looking LED headlights and an inverted mesh grill on the outside, and on the inside it's packing a rather futuristic display, complete with a dash-mounted tablet and what looks to be an iPhone protruding from the center console. Now, there's no guarantee that this thing will get the E-Cell treatment, or that all the bells and whistles will make it to production, but for now, it's shaping up to be a rather stylish upgrade. For more Mercedes-Benz eye candy, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept

Mercedes-Benz debuts tablet-packing A-Class concept originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes' A-Class E-Cell gets taken for a test drive

Donald Melanson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:41:00 EST

Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class E-Cell may be a limited production vehicle, but it is a production vehicle, which likely means that some folks will be interested in how it actually drives. Thankfully, the folks from PluginCars have now managed to take one for a quick spin, and have delivered a few first impressions. The short of it is that while it's a "nice ride," it's apparently not a very powerful one -- in fact, the site says that the car felt "significantly slower" than the Nissan Leaf, which also of course has the advantage of being cheaper and more widely available. The Mercedes does apparently handle much better, though, and while the floor is a bit higher than a normal car, the interior otherwise seems to be top notch. Unfortunately, the test drive wasn't exactly long enough to truly test the car's Tesla-provided batteries, but the site was at least pleased to see the current state of charge conveniently placed right in the middle of the dashboard.

Mercedes' A-Class E-Cell gets taken for a test drive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart Fortwo ED gets official EPA ratings: 94 MPG city, 79 MPG on the highway

Michael Gorman — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:28:00 EST

Looks like "Team 250" is primed to add a few new members now that the EPA has revealed its official MPGe ratings for Smart's Fortwo EDs. Rated at 94 miles-per-gallon in the city and 79 on the highway, the car takes motorists 63 miles per charge -- making it slightly less able than Nissan's Leaf with its 73 mile range, 106 MPG in town, and 92 MPG on the open road. Now that the Fortwo ED has its governmental blessing, interested parties can lease one from selected dealers -- sorry folks, buying's not an option -- for a hefty $599 per-month, which seems staggeringly high compared to the $349 monthly lease rate for the larger, more capable Leaf. Perhaps the Smart squad won't be getting many new teammates after all.

Smart Fortwo ED gets official EPA ratings: 94 MPG city, 79 MPG on the highway originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors

Tim Stevens — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST

Though Terminal Mode has always been an open standard we've never really seen any tech companies outside of Espoo show much interest in the stuff, which lets a car mirror a phone's display. When Nokia sort of shifted gears and signed on with Microsoft that left us wondering what would be next for the company's infotainment efforts. Good things, as it turns out. The Car Connectivity Consortium has been founded to drive "global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity," and both Terminal Mode and Nokia will play a big part -- though a bigger part will be played by Daimler, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and VW. They're joined by electronics companies Alpine, LG, Panasonic, and Samsung, making us think that maybe Terminal Mode's time has properly come. Also on the docket for the CCC is study of NFC, which will hopefully standardize the sort of awesome key interactivity BMW recently showed off.

Continue reading Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors

Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: Schumacher's F1 racing Mercedes, exploded drawing style

Laura June — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:37:00 EST

Even if you're not into race cars, well, you can appreciate the museum-quality beauty of this, can you not? Hit the source for more photos.

Visualized: Schumacher's F1 racing Mercedes, exploded drawing style originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harman-Mercedes Map Pilot modular built-in nav system becomes reality

Christopher Trout — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:42:00 EST

A little over two years ago, we opined on the lack of decent built-in nav systems, hopelessly waiting for Harman and Mercedes to make good on their promise of an easily upgradable in-dash setup. Well, the day has finally come, and the partners in automotive innovation are gearing up to introduce the Becker Map Pilot to the world at the Geneva Motor Show. As promised, the system combines the flexibility and features of a PND with the integration and good looks of a built-in setup -- although the interface shows up on the auto's central display panel and relays voice instructions over the car's speakers, the main unit is stored in the glove compartment, where it's easily removed and upgraded via the internet. If you can afford the mammoth price tag, Map Pilot will roll out in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK and C-Class, but if you don't have an extra $50,000 lying around, we'll still let you peep the PR after the break.

Continue reading Harman-Mercedes Map Pilot modular built-in nav system becomes reality

Harman-Mercedes Map Pilot modular built-in nav system becomes reality originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes F-Cell World Drive gets off to an inauspicious start

Tim Stevens — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:51:00 EST

Circling the globe on hydrogen power sounds like a bit of a challenge, what with the lack H2 pumps and all, but Mercedes-Benz set off to show that it could do just that -- with the help of a mobile filling station, natürlich. It's the F-Cell World Drive, and unfortunately, things got off to something of a bad start with two cars running out of fuel on the very first leg of the journey, one with Autoblog's Michael Harley at the wheel, no less. This first leg apparently began with a trip down an unrestricted bit of the Autobahn and, well, it seems the drivers of the cars decided to see what the little green B-Class F-Cells could do. The answer is 110mph, and of course moving along at this rate of speed did little for their range. The two cars came up 20km short of their first planned refueling stop, heavy right feet resulting in consumption of 1.5Kg of hydrogen per 100km distance -- roughly equivalent of 45mpg and way less than the 71mpg equivalent the cars usually manage. We're told day two, when drivers kept the speed to around 70mph, progressed much more smoothly, with both cars covering their expected legs without issue.

Mercedes F-Cell World Drive gets off to an inauspicious start originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler says fuel cell vehicles will cost the same as diesel hybrids by 2015

Donald Melanson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:17:00 EST

It may currently you cost you $849 a month to lease a Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell (one of the few hyrodgen-fueled vehicles currently available to consumers), but Daimler says that cost will come down considerably in the next few years. Speaking with Automotive News, Daimler's Herbert Kohler said that by 2015 he expects a "fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard," which would seemingly place it in a race with Toyota and its promise of a $50,000 hydrogen-powered sedan. What's more, Kohler also said that he expects fuel cell vehicles to actually be cheaper than comparable electric vehicles within the next few years, and he said that Daimler is hoping to bring a "four-digit-number" of fuel cell vehicles to market by 2013 or 2014.

Daimler says fuel cell vehicles will cost the same as diesel hybrids by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes kicks off F-Cell World Drive, circumnavigating the globe on hydrogen

Tim Stevens — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:29:00 EST

Fuel cell-powered cars provide the efficiency and driveability of an electric vehicle while also offering the unlimited range of a traditional gasoline powered car -- assuming you can find a place to top off those hydrogen tanks. Right now that's a bit of a problem, but Mercedes Benz is out to show that it's not nearly as big of a hindrance as everyone makes it out to be. It'll be driving the B-Class F-Cell model around the world, starting in Stuttgart and motoring down to Lisbon, flying over to the US and driving across that, then across Australia before hopping a boat to Shanghai and driving all the way across Asia, ultimately arriving back to Stuttgart facing in the same direction they left. The B-Class F-Cell can cover 400km on a tank and can be refilled in about three minutes. At this point we have no reason to believe that either Ewan McGregor nor Charlie Boorman will be along for the ride, but given how well things went in Log Way Round perhaps that's for the best.

Mercedes kicks off F-Cell World Drive, circumnavigating the globe on hydrogen originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell hitting dealerships in 2013

Tim Stevens — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:33:00 EST

You may disagree with the car's color and its powertrain choice, but you can't argue with 528 horsepower, 649lb/ft of torque, and AWD acceleration so good it should come with a neck brace. It's a legitimately hot car, and it's legitimately coming to dealerships. Mercedes today confirmed that the SLS AMG E-Cell will be available for order at dealerships in 2013, and while no price was given, expect it to be a lot. The gasoline-powered model cost around $200,000, after all. Oh, and that citrus color? It's pretty stunning in the flesh, a matte hue that makes you go "Mmm."

Gallery: Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell hitting dealerships in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-generation Mercedes mbrace iPhone app hands-on (video)

Tim Stevens — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 02:22:00 EST

Last year Hughes Telematics had the Mercedes mbrace iPhone app on display, providing some OnStar-like functionality like locking your car remotely, unlocking your car remotely, and even getting navigation to your car for those times when you park way out in the lot and can't find it again when you're suffering from post-shopping marathon mental lethargy. Now there's a new version coming, getting submitted to Apple at the end of the month for a February release, and it adds a suite of new navigation features. Full details after the break.

Continue reading Next-generation Mercedes mbrace iPhone app hands-on (video)

Next-generation Mercedes mbrace iPhone app hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 02:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class

Tim Stevens — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:29:00 EST

Last year Nokia made something of a telematics coup, partnering with just about every major European manufacturer and doing everything it could to get its Terminal Mode in-car smartphone integration into more autos. Mercedes was one of those partners and now we're getting a glimpse of the result in the new C-Class. Merc has made some minor exterior updates to the car (not necessarily for the better, in our opinion), but on the inside comes an updated Mercedes COMAND infotainment system that, for the first time, offers full internet access. Using Terminal Mode the car interacts with a smartphone to provide the data, allowing dashboard surfing (while stationary) and the transmission of Google Maps points and directions right to the vehicle. There's also Bluetooth for streaming your tunes through the car's sound system and a USB port in the armrest to keep things charged while you decimate that slab. PR is below if you're looking for more details, or you can just wait for our impressions when we get to Detroit in a few weeks.

Continue reading Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class

Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes electric SLS AMG E-Cell previewed: neck-snapping and retina-searing (video)

Tim Stevens — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:52:00 EST

If ever a post needed a sunglasses warning this one is it. Check out that paint job. It's a pretty hot hue for a pretty hot car, the E-Cell, a Mercedes SLS AMG that has had its internal combustion assets stripped and replaced with not one, not two, but four electric motors. That's one per wheel, naturally, and if you add them all up you get the equivalent of 528hp, a little short of the production car's 563hp, but torque is up to 649ft/lbs from the stock car's 479 -- and being electric that's all available from the start. Sadly, though, twisting force isn't the only thing that's swelled, with this car adding a whopping 880lbs to an already heft 3,571. According to Auto Express that's had a decidedly negative effect on handling, but it does at least offer a quite respectable 125 mile range. No information yet on cost or when exactly Mercedes might put this thing into production, but earlier word was we won't see it on the streets anytime before 2013. You'd better prepare yourself now by staring at the sun for a few minutes a day, and do yourself a favor: start squinting before you click "play" on the video below.

Continue reading Mercedes electric SLS AMG E-Cell previewed: neck-snapping and retina-searing (video)

Mercedes electric SLS AMG E-Cell previewed: neck-snapping and retina-searing (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz BIOME concept car grows in a nursery, on sale now in Zion

Darren Murph — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:12:00 EST

Okay, so there's no actual way to phone up Sad Keanu Reeves and confirm that the Mercedes-Benz BIOME is indeed on sale in the "real world," but it should be. Revealed in The Matrix's own LA Auto Show, this here vehicle has a theoretical weight of just 875.5 pounds, but it's likely far too wide to cruise on this planet's existing roadway system. The vehicle was imagined by designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California, and it's said to be "fully integrated into the ecosystem, from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life." How so? It's grown "in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery," and just being totally frank here, we've no idea what that means. But hey, if M-B can figure out how to grow cars in Morpheus' backyard, who are we to question the reality of it?

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz BIOME concept car grows in a nursery, on sale now in Zion

Mercedes-Benz BIOME concept car grows in a nursery, on sale now in Zion originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-fueled B-Class F-Cell gets priced at $849 a month

Donald Melanson — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:52:00 EST

It's unfortunately not the F800 Style "research vehicle" the company is working on, but those looking to avoid a hybrid or all-electric vehicle in favor of fuel cell technology can now place an order for Mercedes-Benz's new B-Class F-Cell vehicle. Those orders actually first opened up in October, but the automaker has only just recently revealed the actual cost to customers. That will be $849 a month on a lease-only basis, which may seem a tad high but does include both fuel and insurance (alright, so it's still high). As you might expect, however, the car won't exactly be widely available -- Mercedes-Benz says the first few will reach "selected" customers by the end of this year, with "at least 70 more" set to become available in the Los Angeles and San Francisco area by 2012. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-fueled B-Class F-Cell gets priced at $849 a month

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Mercedes-Benz SLK gets Magic Sky Control roof, turns transparent at the touch of a button

Tim Stevens — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:27:00 EST

Put down those iPads, Mercedes owners, and look to the sky. There's a word of wonder up there and, if you had yourself an SLK with the Magic Sky Control vario-roof, you could be looking at it. Well, of course, you could already be looking at the sky if you had an SLK because, you know, it's a convertible. But, let's say you want to do it without actually having to experience nature. Now we're talking. The vario-roof is a glass panel in the center of the SLK's retractable hardtop and now, if you tick the 2000 euro ($2,800) Magic Sky Control option, you can control that sky, tinting the glass panel at will by re-aligning the light-blocking crystals embedded within. It's like a big pixel on an LCD with the whole sun as your backlight and a truly awful dot pitch.

Gallery: SLK Magic Sky Control roof

Mercedes-Benz SLK gets Magic Sky Control roof, turns transparent at the touch of a button originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes' new Media Interface Plus is smartphone-friendly, Bluetooth-equipped, and Pandora-ready

Paul Miller — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:36:00 EST

Mercedes has a new $298 accessory available now that adds another level of smartphone compatibility to its existing in-vehicle controls of iPods and aux audio. The Media Interface Plus allows the car to stream audio from an iPhone, BlackBerry, or any other compatible Bluetooth music player (we're guessing A2DP, though Mercedes doesn't specify). The MIP can also control the Pandora app on the iPhone and BlackBerry, and other features like SMS and email reading / writing are forthcoming. There are iPod / iPhone and Mini-USB plugs for charging, and an optional cable can pull video from your iPhone as well and display it on your in-dash screen -- when the car is at a standstill, of course.

Continue reading Mercedes' new Media Interface Plus is smartphone-friendly, Bluetooth-equipped, and Pandora-ready

Mercedes' new Media Interface Plus is smartphone-friendly, Bluetooth-equipped, and Pandora-ready originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz gets in on the factory iPad integration game, makes headrests a little smarter

Tim Stevens — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:12:00 EST

You didn't think BMW would be the only one releasing hideous in-car iPad integration, did you? Mercedes-Benz, a company we previously thought had a bit more class, has released images of its strikingly similar headrest-mounted iPad docks. The idea is that the person in the back seat can comfortably use and recharge their device whilst their manservant, bodyguard, or parental guardian whisks them to their next destination. Of course, reaching forward to touch the back of the headrest in front of you is hardly an ergonomically sound position, and since that could very well be where your face ends up in a major accident we'd love to see what star rating the tablet's glass scores in a crash test. No price is given for the accessory at this point, but it'll surely be rather more accessible than the truly egregious Brabus iBusiness S Class.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz iPad integration

Mercedes-Benz gets in on the factory iPad integration game, makes headrests a little smarter originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell is an E-lectric limited production vehicle

Vlad Savov — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:32:00 EST

Here's what you could be driving... if only you lived in Europe. Mercedes-Benz has announced, and promptly sold, a limited production run of 500 electric A-Class hatchbacks. Bearing the same E-Cell designation as the somewhat tastier-looking SLS model from the deutschen automaker, this little goer squeezes 95 horsepower and a 93mph top speed out of a 70kW motor. Those are relatively humble specs, but they also mean the electrified A-Class can last a healthy 124 miles between recharges. So long as this thing doesn't go all Tata Nano on us -- and Mercedes says its thermomanagement is top notch -- we wouldn't mind seeing a few more electro hatchbacks rolling off the assembly line and maybe even reaching markets outside the present France, Germany and Netherlands. Let's make it happen, Daimler!

Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell is an E-lectric limited production vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus iBusiness luxury sedan puts an iPad at every seat, a Magic Mouse at every hide-covered armrest

Tim Stevens — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:11:00 EST

When it comes to being ushered along to your destination at a high rate of speed within a cocoon of luxury, it's hard to go wrong with the Mercedes S Class. However, if this $90,000 (and way, way up) sedan isn't special enough for you, teutonic tuner Brabus is happy to make some... improvements. The company bumps the power up to 750hp, good for a top speed of 211mph whilst also providing a wealth of iDevices to those being coddled inside. There's an iPad (with keyboard) at each of the rear seats, an entertainment system built into the back of both headrests powered by a 64GB iPod Touch, and a 15.2-inch display that swivels down from the ceiling to expose the output from a tunk-mounted Mac Mini. Even for the most ardent of Mac lovers it's a bit too much, but if it weren't it wouldn't be a Brabus. The cost? Nobody's saying, but don't expect this very special kind of excess to come cheap.

Continue reading Brabus iBusiness luxury sedan puts an iPad at every seat, a Magic Mouse at every hide-covered armrest

Brabus iBusiness luxury sedan puts an iPad at every seat, a Magic Mouse at every hide-covered armrest originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SLS AMG and Isle of Man take center stage in 'world's fastest 3D car film'

Darren Murph — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:39:00 EST

Frankly, you could've stopped at "Mercedes SLS AMG" and "Isle of Man," but toss in ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, a litany of 3D cameras, helicopters and a closed section of the Mountain Road... and well, you've got magic in the making. The crew here set out to create the "world's fastest 3D film," and honestly, we aren't in any position to doubt 'em. We're also guessing that this 4 minute and 2 second masterpiece will be looped in Benz dealerships around the world, and for good reason. Word has it that the clip will be shown on Sky 3D across the pond, but there's no telling when it'll grace three-dee screens in North America and beyond. While we wait, feast your senses on the 2D version just beyond the break.

Continue reading Mercedes SLS AMG and Isle of Man take center stage in 'world's fastest 3D car film'

Mercedes SLS AMG and Isle of Man take center stage in 'world's fastest 3D car film' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EST

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.

Gallery: Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Continue reading Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones

Kleer teams up with Mercedes Benz to untether in-car headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell prototype fuels our electric dreams with 526 horses

Vlad Savov — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:08:00 EST

Oh, electric supercar, why do you tease us so? Mercedes is latest to throw up a prototype of what it expects future rubber burners to look like, and its SLS E-Cell doesn't disappoint. Based on its petrol-guzzling SLS AMG model, this beast produces 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque, thanks to four motors (one for each wheel) allied to a battery array that can provide an industry-leading 480kW of juice. How fast does that get you to the magical 60mph marker? Try four seconds. There's a handsome 10-inch infotainment panel in the center console, which you may see after the break, but the best news is that this prototype can be driven now and could well turn into a production Benz at some point in 2013.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell prototype fuels our electric dreams with 526 horses

Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell prototype fuels our electric dreams with 526 horses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Hexawheel concept is the 4x4 you never knew you needed

Darren Murph — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:00:00 EST

It ain't the first Mercedes-Benz concept to dazzle us, and we get the feeling it's far from being the last. Dreamed up by designer Siyamak Rouhi Dehkordi, the Hexawheel is doing its darnedest to bring the gas guzzler back, and while we'd never turn down a solid deal on our own G-Wagon, there's something mighty novel about this ride. Boasting an iconic M-B design, this here creature deviates drastically from the typical road warrior, utilizing six wheels on an articulated chassis with a flexible drivetrain. All told, it'd measure some 16 feet if ushered into production, and it's quite possibly the best beach vehicle next to the dune buggy. There's no word on what kind of powerplant this thing would support, but we're guessing something involving fuel cells would be appropriate. Give those links below a visit if you're in the mood for more images.

Mercedes-Benz Hexawheel concept is the 4x4 you never knew you needed originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 May 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia partners with European automotive powerhouses for in-car apps

Tim Stevens — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:13:00 EST

Downloadable horntones? Music-sensitive interior lighting? In-dash version of Snake? All in your future -- at least if you plan to own an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or VW at some point. Nokia has come to an agreement with all of them to provide in-car apps and greater smartphone integration tech. This, of course, isn't the first move from the company (which has been showing off its Terminal Mode dash lately), but it certainly could be a major coup for Espoo. These five are by far the dominant players in the European market and certainly have a lot of clout worldwide. Exactly what sort of apps and integration remains to be seen, but recent statements from Audi may give a glimpse, saying it wants users to be able to "download heated seats." Naturally you can't download heating coils and circuitry, but the company could cut costs by just building that option into every vehicle and then enabling it via in-car purchase -- probably on a chilly January's morn. Distasteful? Yeah, just like paying extra to unlock "downloadable content" that's already sitting on the videogame disc.

Nokia partners with European automotive powerhouses for in-car apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 May 2010 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz F800 Style teases us with fuel cells, aggressive new look

Vlad Savov — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:55:00 EST

Mercedes has just announced its latest "research vehicle," the F800 Style, and as concepts are wont to do, it intersperses some extremely ambitious goals with plenty of viable and forthcoming improvements. The two powertrain options touted by the company represent this best. On the one hand, there's a perfectly reasonable PHEV setup that will generate north of 400bhp combined grunt and offer an 18-mile range when abstaining from gas power. On the other, there's an electric drive with fuel cells system that will get you a spectacular 375-mile cruising range -- if only it'd make it to real products, which seems highly unlikely right now. All the same, as the company's premium sedan concept, the F800 Style represents the direction of Mercedes' future designs, both in its external styling and in the internal focus on becoming friendlier to the environment. We can find little reason to object to either. Check out a couple more pics after the break, then hit Autoblog for more details.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz F800 Style teases us with fuel cells, aggressive new look

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style teases us with fuel cells, aggressive new look originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Mercedes to have Intel Atom-based infotainment systems in 2012

Nilay Patel — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST

Intel just announced that both BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be shipping Atom-based infotainment systems designed by Harman-Becker in 2012. BMW will make the system available in the 7-series, while MB will put it in S- and C-class vehicles. According to Paul Otellini, these are just the first Atom-based in-vehicle entertainment systems to be announced, and automakers are coming around to "consistent and persistent platforms," so we'd expect this is the start of a very welcome trend. Sadly there was no demo, but we'll be on the lookout here at IDF.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Transportation

BMW and Mercedes to have Intel Atom-based infotainment systems in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500: it's the plug-in hybrid for old people

Darren Murph — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST

Look, you won't find a bigger bunch of fans of the C63 than this here crew, but man, that massive "plug-in hybrid" logo might as well say "70+ aged drivers only, please." For everyone not interested in scooping up a Tesla Roadster, Chevy Volt or some other eco-friendly whip that they can't afford, there's the Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500. Made official this week during the run-up to the impending Frankfurt auto show, the 3.5-liter PHEV aims to grab the eyes of those who value class, comfort and luxury, and while this whole "gas mileage" thing is still very much in the air with this type of vehicle, early estimates peg the MPG rating at around 70. M-B has gifted the car with an 18-mile electric range, but most everything else is being veiled in secrecy until the full reveal next week.

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500: it's the plug-in hybrid for old people originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes confirms plans for all-electric SLS AMG gullwing

Donald Melanson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:28:00 EST

This one hasn't exactly been the best kept secret in automotive circles as of late, but Mercedes has now finally come out and confirmed that it will indeed be producing an all-electric version of its new SLS AMG gullwing coupe. For those not immediately sold by the word "gullwing," you may be slightly more impressed by the 48 kWh liquid cooled lithium ion battery pack at the heart of the car, which gets paired with an electric drive system tied to all four wheels that Mercedes says is "on the same high level" as the 6.8-liter V8 engine that's in the non-electric SLS. Somewhat curiously, however, Mercedes isn't doing any talking about range just yet but, as AutoBlog notes, it seems likely that it'll be less than the 200 miles the Tesla Roadster gets, given its small battery capacity. There's also unfortunately still no official word on a price or time frame for a release, but the current talk seems to be that it could be rolling out by 2015.

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes confirms plans for all-electric SLS AMG gullwing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes debuts airbag-laden S-Class ESF hybrid concept

Donald Melanson — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:44:00 EST

Apparently not content to simply build a hybrid vehicle that's both energy-efficient and luxurious, Mercedes has now gone the extra mile with its new 2009 S-Class ESF concept, which packs more than a dozen different safety features including airbags inside and out. That latter outside-the-car airbag is actually a giant braking bag that deploys under the car when it "senses an imminent crash," which not only creates some added friction to slow the car down, but lifts the front of the car up about 80mm to compensate for brake dive. Other uncommon safety features include curtain airbags between the seats, airbags in the seatbelts, reflective tires, and "inflatable metal structures" throughout the vehicle, which apparently both saves space and increases crash protection. Unfortunately, there's no word on any further improvements to the hybrid side of things, but Mercedes' existing S400 Hybrid isn't exactly too shabby of a place to begin with.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes debuts airbag-laden S-Class ESF hybrid concept originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes shows off Splitview display, other dashboard perks in the 2010 S-Class

Paul Miller — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:14:00 EST

Sure, the cold metal exterior looks like a regular old car, but the 2010 S-Class from Mercedes-Benz has a fuzzy technological heart, including an abundance of readout displays and a Splitview screen. Quite like it sounds, the Splitview display offers up one view to the driver (like a map), while the passenger sees a completely different image (like a movie, or a picture of somebody looking at a map), and after hearing all about it for the past while, Mercedes is actually giving us a glimpse of it in an overly-dramatic promo video for the latest S-Class to clutter up the roads. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes shows off Splitview display, other dashboard perks in the 2010 S-Class

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Mercedes shows off Splitview display, other dashboard perks in the 2010 S-Class originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz's F-CELL Roadster is chock-full of win

Darren Murph — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:07:00 EST

Mercedes-Benz has been toying with alternative-energy prototype vehicles for awhile now, but we're fairly certain this little gem is amongst the most bodacious. The obviously conceptual F-CELL Roadster hearkens back to M-B vehicles of old, though the engine is far from retro. Controlled with drive-by-wire technology and utilizing a joystick rather than a conventional steering wheel, this whip is (theoretically, at least) powered by a 1.2kW emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. We're told that it could reach an enviable top speed of 15.5mph, and the 217 mile operating range definitely has us salivating. Frankly, this one's all about the design, and we can't implore you enough to give the read link a visit for lots more high-res action.

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes-Benz's F-CELL Roadster is chock-full of win originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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