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Mercedes' semi-autonomous truck lets its driver relax on the highway
If you've ever driven a highway on a major trip, you know how monotonous it can get -- and it only gets worse for big rig operators, who may spend every day on those uneventful roads. Mercedes-Benz may eventually let those long-haul drivers make better use of their time, though. It just recently demonstrated Future Truck 2025, a semi-autonomous concept vehicle that takes the reins on the highway. A combination of radar and stereo cameras keep the machine on the right course once it's up to speed, freeing the driver to check up on the family or get work done. It can optionally talk to other vehicles to anticipate upcoming construction or traffic jams, and it's smart enough to get out of the way if an ambulance comes speeding by.
Nest devices start talking to Google, washing machines and your car
Nest's Learning Thermostat and Protect smoke detector are now part of a much, much larger universe. The company has just launched a developer program that lets third-party apps and devices talk to Nest hardware, making it do things that aren't possible through official software. The initiative is kicking off with a whole host of partnerships in place, in many cases with feature updates either available now or due in the near future. Chamberlain's garage doors can now tell your Nest thermostat when you're home, while Mercedes-Benz lets you check the temperature on the road; Logitech's Harmony Ultimate remote can lower the heat in mid-movie, and Jawbone's Up24 fitness tracker can tell Nest when you wake up.
Mario Kart 8's Mercedes DLC drifts toward North America, Europe
Despite jet-powered motorcycles and mushroom-fueled dragsters, Mario Kart 8 features a distinct lack of real-world bling - a flaw which will be rectified this summer when a special Mercedes Benz kart makes its Mushroom Kingdom debut. Though Japanese Mario Kart fans have long been awaiting the miniature Mercedes Benz GLA, it wasn't until today that fans in the Western world learned that they, too, would receive the fruits of this unexpected cross-company promotion. "We're planning to release a GLA-Class kart from @Mercedesbenz for #MK8 this summer," reads a recent tweet from Nintendo of America, which was then complemented by a similar notice from the Nintendo of Europe Twitter account. Neither tweet specifies a release date or pricing information for the DLC kart, though if North America and Europe both follow Japan's lead, the new ride should be available to players at no additional charge. [Image: Nintendo of America]
Mario Kart 8 bringing Mercedes DLC to Japan, shocking imagery to all
No, it isn't the end of the world and frogs are not falling from the skies. That really is a real-life car in Mario Kart 8. As part of a surreal collaboration between Nintendo and Mercedes Benz, Japanese players are getting the Mercedes GLA as a DLC kart this summer. The DLC is reportedly free, and there's also word of a GLA tournament in the fall. The news is only for Japan so far and there's no confirmation we can expect the DLC in the West. A Nintendo UK spokesperson told Joystiq, "The announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with Nintendo Co. Limited." However: "As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for Mario Kart 8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future." So let's wait and see. That kart is gonna take some getting used to, but the commercial Mercedes is using Mario in to promote the GLA may be even weirder. Check it out below the break.
Mercedes' first electric vehicle for the US has a Tesla heart and plenty of muscle
I shouldn't be imagining the sound of crickets when test-driving a brand-new Mercedes, but that's exactly what happened to me this week with the company's B-Class Electric. In this case, however, it's actually a good thing: The new US-bound EV, which should be hitting Stateside this summer for $41,450, is practically quiet enough for me to hear the nocturnal insects while driving. It's not going to be the most stunning car on the road, but as the first full-electric vehicle from Mercedes to hit US show floors, it's got enough appeal and oomph to be worth taking a closer look at.
Mercedes wants to bring CarPlay to older vehicles this year
The biggest catch of Apple's CarPlay (aside from platform support) is its limitation to newer vehicles; at last check, most people won't buy a new car just to get better smartphone integration. Mercifully, Mercedes-Benz tells 9to5 Mac that it's planning to deliver an "after market solution" for older cars by the end of 2014. The automaker isn't providing many details, although there's a good chance that its solution involves more than a simple software upgrade. Other brands haven't outlined their plans for aftermarket CarPlay support, but it's early days -- don't be surprised if there are more announcements once manufacturers are ready to show their cards.
Apple is reportedly launching iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo
Apple's iOS in the Car has been a long time in coming -- we first heard about the automotive interface last June, and it still isn't ready despite the presence of relevant code in recent iOS 7 builds. The wait may soon be over, though, as the Financial Times hears that Apple will unveil formal car integration deals with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo next week. There aren't more forthcoming details, although the rumored announcement implies that the automakers could name compatible models and possibly show the technology in action. We wouldn't refer to iOS in the Car as Apple's "first in-car operating system," like the FT does -- it's still dependent on an iPad or iPhone to work. Even so, any potential launch next week would represent a big step forward for 1 Infinite Loop's in-car efforts, which haven't advanced much since iPod Out. [Image credit: Steve Troughton-Smith, YouTube]
Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG with QNX CAR for Infotainment hands-on
Tucked in a corner of the massive North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center is a Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG wrapped in flat black vinyl. The only things that stand out about this car are the big red brakes. That is, until you pop open a door and spy the beautiful expanse of touchscreen that extends from passenger door across to and including the instrument panel. QNX has extended on the technology we saw in 2013 with both better-looking panels and a seriously handsome interface. For instance, the system can now run Jelly Bean apps -- as demonstrated by the inclusion of iHeartRadio -- a phone/tablet app that hooks into the system for passenger interaction and full-band duplex stereo vehicle-to-vehicle calling. QNX also demonstrated its CAR platform's flexibility when it comes to navigation. Rather than just one nav platform, the CLA45 included Elektrobit, Kotei Navi & Data, Aisin AW and Nokia Here to show how the system could be integrated into any vendor environment. Have a look at our gallery just below the fold. Billy Steele contributed to this report
Mercedes-Benz imagines seamless door-to-door directions with Google Glass
Despite apps that let a few lucky Glass owners control their Nest thermostat or unlock that Tesla Model S, one of the futuristic headgear's most practical applications is still just the default turn-by-turn directions that come courtesy of Google. The R&D department over at Mercedes-Benz realizes that as well, but wants to take it a step further. According to a report in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the automotive company is working on a Google Glass project that combines both pedestrian and automotive directions to take a user literally from door to door. MBRDNA President and CEO Johann Jungwirth told the publication that he wants Glass to seamlessly transition between walking and in-car navigation. Of course, not everyone has access to the pricey wearable just yet, so the project won't likely see real-world application any time soon. In the meantime, Mercedes does have a few more down-to-earth solutions for the gadgets you might already have.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive breaks Nurburgring EV lap record
There's no question that the SLS AMG Electric Drive is faster than most EVs. However, Mercedes-Benz wants to prove that the car is fast in any category -- and it just broke a Nurburgring record to underscore its point. Merc's 751HP clean machine recently ripped through the track's Nordschleife section in 7 minutes and 56 seconds, beating a production EV record set last year by Audi's R8 E-tron. While that lap time won't rival the absolute EV record, let alone those of faster conventional cars, it puts the electric SLS firmly ahead of its peers. That may be all that matters for buyers picking up their cars this month: when you've dropped half a million dollars on a new ride, some bragging rights are in order. Video of the run awaits after the break.
Mercedes-Benz plan will put QR codes on cars to speed up rescues
We joke that most people don't like QR codes, but those codes link to a lot of information through one snapshot -- and Mercedes-Benz may just use that efficiency to save lives. The automaker is putting the symbols on vehicles so that emergency crews just need a phone camera scan for easy access to rescue sheets, which are schematics that show where to cut into a wrecked car when recovering trapped passengers. With such immediate knowledge, rescuers don't have to wait for a model confirmation or else risk cutting wires and fuel lines. While we'll initially see the QR codes only in Mercedes-Benz cars made this year and beyond (placed inside the fuel door and on the opposite side B-pillar), the company isn't being selfish: it's refusing to patent its method in the hope that every vehicle manufacturer will quickly embrace the technology.
Auto manufacturers slow to adopt Siri Eyes Free
Remember the hoopla at last year's WWDC when Apple announced Siri Eyes Free? The feature was designed to use a car's onboard voice-recognition hardware to process voice input and pass it along to Apple's Siri. At this point in time, according to an article on Wired, only GM has actually implemented the feature and two others have disclosed plans to offer Siri Eyes Free. GM made Siri Eyes Free available on the entry-level Sonic and Spark vehicles through the MyLink infotainment system, which uses the iPhone to supply just about all the content available -- music, navigation and communications. But two low-end vehicles from one manufacturer don't spell success for Siri Eyes Free. Fortunately, Honda is planning on adding the feature to new vehicles by this summer, and Mercedes-Benz will add Siri Eyes Free integration with an add-on accessory called the Drive Kit Plus for iPhone within a week. Wired's Doug Newcomb notes that the issue isn't with the technology, but rather with the long product lead times with auto manufacturers and difficulties in making changes to production vehicles. That's not to say that it's easy to integrate Siri with a car; Steve Witt of Dice is quoted as saying "When you have two competing [voice recognition] systems, I don't believe it's going to be seamless." Dice was testing Siri Eyes Free with an onboard voice recognition system and said, "The car's radio gets confused." Still, with the long lead times to get integration into a car infotainment system -- often four to five years -- it may be a while before Siri Eyes Free is commonplace in new vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz GLA concept puts laser projectors in headlights, redefines SUV
All pretty young things eventually require face-lifts to stay fresh. And the same goes for car models too, which in the SUV's case means a total body lift. Mercedes-Benz is planning to do just that to the category, with an official unveiling of its Concept GLA premium compact SUV planned for the Shanghai Auto Show next week. The sportier, "more coupe-like" vehicle has a 208-horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged gas engine, 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, 4Matic all wheel drive and -- wait for it -- headlamps with laser projectors. Oh yes, really. Despite what you may think, the laser light show isn't all just for neat tricks, though you can display any photos or video compatible (shared via phone, hard drive or the wild interwebs) with the car's in-dash COMAND system. No, there's a practical purpose that prompted Mercedes-Benz' German engineers to include the feature: a real-time navigation overlay. And lest we forget, there's one last scintillating tidbit of this concept car's posh perspective. It also features 65-feet of hand-stitched interior leather. We believe the correct response you're searching for is: !#$&%. And we'd agree.
Garmin to power future Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems
It looks like Garmin has managed to lock down a very solid deal following its automotive group's compelling demo at CES. The company's in-dash GPS software is now set to roll out with future Mercedes-Benz models -- Garmin's navigation system is scheduled to be fully integrated within the next four years, and will begin appearing with select 2014 models. The solution sounds similar to the version we saw on display during CES, and includes a primary panel in the center console, along with a secondary display located behind the steering wheel, tasked with providing key driver stats, along with next turn info, for example. Mercedes will share more details once specific launch vehicles are announced, but Garmin said to expect features like Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS), to help out with vehicle positioning, while the car manufacturer will bring tools like a rotary controller and voice commands to the table. What remains to be seen is how TomTom will fit into the mix -- last month, the company announced plans of its own to provide HD Traffic service to certain Mercedes vehicles, though it's unclear if the two GPS giants will be working together on this latest venture. Update: Garmin reached out to clarify that the company will be providing the GPS software for Mercedes-Benz's own infotainment solution. So it's not all Garmin under the hood.
Taking the US-bound Smart Electric Drive for a spin (video)
The eponymous "Smart car" has been buzzing around city streets in the US for over five years now. It's actually called the Fortwo, thanks to its limited seating capacity, and while it didn't prove to be an immediate hit, sales have been steadily increasing. An electric version of the car has been available in limited numbers overseas for years now, but finally this year it's coming to the US. And this is it. We got a chance to drive a green vinyl-wrapped Smart Electric Drive around some city streets ahead of the opening of the New York International Auto Show and came away reasonably impressed by this $25,000 EV -- the cheapest on the market. Join us after the break for our impressions. %Gallery-184349%
Mercedes-Benz introduces B-Class Electric Drive, we go eyes-on
Electric Vehicle choices keep getting more compelling, and Mercedes-Benz is doing its part by unveiling the upcoming B-Class Electric Drive. The B-Class is among the smaller of MB's cars (one step up from the A-Class), fitting squarely in the MPV category. It's basically a mini-minivan. MPVs are small but big enough to be practical, and they tend to be economical. The fully electric powertrain in this 2014 model that just rolled onto the stage here at the New York International Auto Show should go a long way in that regard. Follow us after the break for more details and some photos.%Gallery-184040%
Smart unveils third-gen Fortwo Electric Drive EV, we take it for quiet and speedy spin (video)
Now that Smart's second-gen Fortwo Electric Drive EV has gotten its year of time on the roads, the company is ready to announce its successor. For 2013, the car has received some mild tweaks to its design, but the real news is about what's hiding inside this rear-wheel driven EV. For the first time, you'll have to option of owning one outright, rather than being limited to a four-year lease at $599 per month. It's thanks in part to an improved battery, which is now rated for an average lifespan of 10 years. The car has also received a massive power upgrade to 47 horsepower (up from 27 previously), along with an extra boost if you floor the pedal -- this courtesy of a beefier engine and drive-train that gives it about 50-percent more power. Put it this way, this EV will get you from 0-60 in about 11.5 seconds, with top speed of 78MPH. Sadly, there's no concrete word on what kind of range to expect, but it should be well more than the 87 miles of its predecessor. Beyond that, Smart's added in GSM connectivity, allowing you the abilities to pre-start the car and keep track of its vitals remotely, among other features. A quick drive around Brooklyn also confirmed how peppy and smooth the car was in use, however, not exactly on-par with our experience in Audi's A3 e-tron -- but it is considerably less. As our friends at Autoblog detail, the base model coupe is set to sell for a $25,000 MSRP plus fees, along with your choice of two chargers, which can cost up to $2,200 with installation. Here's the good news, the car itself actually works out to just $17,500 thanks to a federal tax credit. All in all, this currently makes the cheapest full-on EV you'll be able to get your mitts on. If you'd prefer to spice it up a bit, Smart will also offer a spruced up cabriolet variant for an extra $3K. Check out our chat with Smart about the car and the press release after the break for all the details.
Production-ready Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar unveiled
We're pretty sure we've suffered some amount of vision loss from staring at the ridiculously bright paint scheme on Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell over the past few years. MB has rolled it out at virtually every auto show it can and we've always stopped for a gander, but now we finally have the full production version -- and it's in a slightly more tame but visually perhaps even more stunning color, a sort of chrome blue that even in the flesh looks CG rendered. It's the SLS AMG Electric Drive, it's launching next June and we have the full details after the break.
Mercedes-Benz said to be exploring SLS AMG E-Cell in roadster guise
Mercedes-Benz has already committed to bringing the SLS AMG E-Cell gullwing to dealers in 2013, but we'd advise holding back on taking out a second mortgage to pay for it until you're done reading. The Netherlands' De Telegraaf hears from an unnamed spokesperson that there's enough interest to make a roadster version of the EV supercar. What action the automaker takes depends on sales of the hardtop: if it's clear more people want an open-air experience, that's what will happen. The electric motor layout is easily transferred to a roadster, the representative says. If that E-Cell variant becomes a reality, Audi might want to hurry up and build a production-grade e-tron Spyder before Mercedes claims all of the (very niche) German electric roadster market for itself.
PSA: Forza 4 July Car Pack now available
The latest round of fuel-injected and/or naturally aspirated DLC has hit Forza 4, bringing with it a swatch of blacktop devouring beasts from modern times and days gone by.The aptly named July Car Pack, available today for 560 MS Points, features the following sick whips (in chronological order): The 1952 Hudson Hornet, 1954 Jaguar XK120, 1956 Lotus Eleven, 1973 AMC Gremlin X, 1995 RUF CTR2, 1998 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600, 2011 McLaren 59 GT MP4-12C GT3, 2012 Spyker C8 Aileron, 2012 Ascari KZ1R and 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, all of which can be seen in the trailer above and gallery below.%Gallery-159677%
