mercedes
Latest
EV concepts merge with reality at the Paris Auto Show
I might have been imagining things, but automakers seemed a bit nervous at this year's Paris Auto Show. Maybe it's because it's first the first major car event to follow Tesla's successful Model 3 campaign, in which it snagged around 373,000 pre-orders for the EV. If Elon Musk's company can build that many (and that's a big if), the Model 3 will become one of the top ten selling vehicles in the US and a huge thorn in the side for mainstream manufacturers and dealers.
VW and Mercedes open Paris Auto Show with futuristic EVs
The Paris Auto Show is missing Lamborghini, Volvo and other automakers, but it's still one of the biggest displays of automotive tech in the world. Fittingly, in a city that bans gas-powered cars from its streets once a month, Volkswagen and Mercedes kicked things off with prototypes that represent their future EV ecosystems. That no doubt made everyone feel better about CO2 pollution, but most of the cars here are still burning fossil fuels, and for many, like the Jaguar F-type (below), plenty of it.
Mercedes will put an 'EQ' badge on its best electric cars
After confirming that it has quietly been working on a new sub-brand that will host a contemporary line of EVs, Mercedes today unveiled at the Paris Motor Show what it believes is the future of electric mobility. It's called Generation EQ and the first we're seeing of it is the new 402bhp SUV coupe concept pictured above, complete with twin electric motors, zero-emission drivetrain technology and a range of up to 311 miles. Like VW, Mercedes is putting it cars firmly in Tesla territory.
German cars will share real-time data to help you find parking
However smart your car might be, there's only so much it can tell you by itself. Wouldn't it be nice if cars regularly shared helpful driving info beyond what you offer in mobile apps? Here thinks so. It's launching services that will have cars automatically sharing real-time data to improve commutes for everyone. Vehicles (starting with those from Here owners Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz) will use their sensors and cameras to offer details on free parking spaces, traffic conditions, and road hazards. You'd know that a parking spot has opened up, or that heavy rain is forcing drivers ahead to slow down.
Mercedes backs a startup to shape the future of delivery drones
Mercedes-Benz probably isn't the first name you associate with delivery drones, but it's committing to those robotic couriers in a big way. The automaker has invested in drone logistics developer Matternet, and the two have worked together on a Vision Van concept (above) that would make delivery drones more practical. The electric vehicle amounts to a last-mile launching pad: drones can grab packages from its "fully automated" cargo space and fly a relatively short distance to complete deliveries that would be impractical (or just slow) for a human courier. And when it would connect everyone from the distribution center to recipients, it would manage deliveries that aren't usually feasible today -- same-day delivery at a specific time, for instance, rather than making a best effort.
Microsoft and Mercedes bring your office calendar to your car
You can't always escape work when you're in your car, but Microsoft and Mercedes-Benz think they can at least make those corporate invasions more tolerable. They're working together on an In Car Office project that, to start with, will integrate your Microsoft Exchange info with your car's infotainment system. It'll auto-populate your car's navigation unit with driving directions for that upcoming meeting, for example, or offer to make a hands-free call to get in touch with your client when you're on your way.
Daimler will fight Tesla with 'at least' six electric cars
It looks like Daimler's plans to fight Tesla are even more ambitious than first thought. Reuters sources understand that the German automaker is working on "at least" six electric cars, and might introduce as many as nine. The exact roster isn't public, but Daimler's central Mercedes-Benz brand had previously talked about making two sedans and two SUVs. Automobilwoche tipsters claim that the focus will be on crossovers and SUVs, although there would also be compact cars and sedans.
Mercedes-Maybach concept is a look at the future of luxury cars
Stop us if you've read this before: Mercedes-Benz has another ridiculous concept car. At CES 2015, we got a close look at the F015 Luxury in Motion self-driving concept and now the automaker is back with an all-electric coupe. Officially dubbed the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, the new vehicle is a mix of "sensual purity" and "aerodynamic efficiency" according to Daimler AG design lead Gorden Wagener. Mercedes also notes that the Vision 6 is an equal mix of "hot" with emotional design and "cold" with so-called intelligent details.
Mercedes will reportedly challenge Tesla with four new EVs (confirmed)
Executives from Mercedes-Benz haven't been coy about the company's EV plans -- it wants to go head-to-head with Tesla. As part of this strategy, Bloomberg reports that Mercedes is getting ready to introduce four electric vehicles, including two sedan models and two SUVs. The new fleet is said to be the starting point of a new sub-brand for Mercedes, although the German automaker still hasn't decided what that will be called. Last month, Mercedes' David McCarthy revealed that a concept electric would be shown sometime in September. In other words, it won't be long before we see what Mercedes has up its sleeve.
Nissan's gold Olympics-edition EV, and more in the week that was
Tesla's Gigafactory is set to double the world's battery production, and this week it opened its doors for the first time. Tesla is also working on an electric truck, but Mercedes-Benz beat them to punch this week by launching the world's first all-electric big rig. In other transportation news, a sun-powered airplane completed an epic trip around the world -- and we highlighted eight milestones from its record-shattering flight. Nissan announced that it will give golden Leaf EVs to medal-winning Olympic athletes. And Norway unveiled plans to build the world's first floating underwater traffic tunnels, which will be suspended from pontoons.
Mercedes pulls confusing autonomous car ad
Mercedes has pulled its 2017 E-class sedan ad after critics pointed out that it could mislead people into thinking it's an autonomous vehicle. In the commercial, you'll see the E-class sedan on the road, overtaking the automaker's F015 autonomous car concept -- the same futuristic car we previewed last year that looked like it came right out of Minority Report. A voiceover then says "Is the world truly ready for a vehicle that can drive itself? Ready or not, the future is here" You'll also see the sedan's driver taking his hands off the wheel while the car is in motion.
Mercedes gives first responders an AR view of its cars
Only advertisers love QR codes, but Mercedes-Benz actually made them useful in the real world. By putting the codes on the B-pillars and gas doors of its vehicles, firefighters can use its Rescue Assist app and quickly figure out how to help folks involved in an accident. The automaker made the latest version easier to use by adding augmented reality (AR) and 3D visualization features. That lets first responders see dangerous components -- like fuel lines and high-voltage components in electric and hybrid cars -- overlaid on the real-world vehicle, Pokémon-style.
Tesla's plan for world domination, and more in the week that was
Tesla is known for producing some of the world's best electric cars, but founder Elon Musk has even bigger plans for the company: world domination. Musk's new masterplan will grow the company to produce trucks and buses while using battery technology and solar infrastructure to transition the world away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the world's first "Tesla Town" is coming to Australia, and every home in it will feature solar panels and a powerwall. Driverless cars are almost here: This week Mercedes-Benz unveiled the fully autonomous bus of the future, while a GM exec confirmed plans to launch a self-driving Chevy Bolt EV with Lyft. And we spotted a crazy truck that's able to lay its own road across treacherous terrain in just six minutes.
ICYMI: Mercedes makes a self-driving bus for the masses
try{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Mercedes made a new class of vehicle to take on mass transit systems by autonomously navigating city streets with GPS, radar, dozens of cameras and data links to local networks. It was tested outside Amsterdam; no word yet on when they will roll out for real. Some Michigan engineering students are creating a huge and playable Rubik's Cube, that video is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Mercedes to show its Tesla-fighting electric sedan in September
It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz eventually wants to compete with Tesla, not just partner with it, and you won't have to wait much longer to see how that rivalry shakes out. The company's David McCarthy tells Motoring.com.au that you should see a concept version of Merc's Tesla-beating electric sedan in September, or shortly before the Paris Motor Show. Its exact specs are a mystery (even McCarthy hasn't seen it; you're looking at the IAA Concept), but it should sit in the Model S' price bracket and offer similar driving range when it launches, most likely in 2018. There were previously teases that it would be "dangerously fast," in case there was any doubt that it would be a performance-minded ride.
Mercedes Benz's E300 is a luxury car that happens to be high-tech
The Mercedes Benz E-Class has always been fancy. Wood, leather and a sense that you've made some pretty solid life choices are all part of the package. But the automaker has also been on the cutting edge of tech. For example, it added radar-aided adaptive cruise control to its vehicles back in 1998. So it's no surprise that the 2017 E300 is filled to its German gills with the latest and greatest in car technology. The car is indeed impressive, but not without a few hiccups.
Uber reportedly bought at least 100,000 Mercedes Benz S-Classes
Quick recap: ride-sharing behemoth Uber is famous for connecting passengers with people who have their own cars. (Well, among other things.) Uber doesn't own a fleet of cars for would-be drivers to use, which makes the fact that the company seems to have purchased least 100,000 Mercedes Benz S-Classes from Daimler all the more fascinating. What gives? Germany's Manager Magazin, which broke the story earlier today, was quick to point out one crucial similarity between the two companies: they're both investing heavily in making autonomous cars a reality.
F1 champion Lewis Hamilton isn't afraid of self-driving cars
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton stopped by Mobile World Congress 2016, where he talked autonomous vehicles and what type of technologies make his job easier. Hamilton was joined on the panel by Paddy Lowe, Executive Director of the Mercedes AMG Petronas racing team, as well as Qualcomm President Derek Aberle. Naturally, given the current hype around self-driving cars, the event's moderator asked Hamilton to share his feelings on the topic.
Daimler chief sees electric cars beating hydrogen, for now
Daimler may be hedging its bets with work on both electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars, but it sees a front runner emerging. In a chat with Euro am Sonntag, company chief Dieter Zetsche says he believes EVs are "more likely" to come out on top. Simply put, he believes the electric camp has more answers. EVs with long range and fast charging are "within reach," while it's still not clear how you'll make hydrogen both cheap and widely available. That doesn't mean that fuel cells are out -- however, their future isn't looking good.
Apple and Google surprise Daimler with their progress on cars
You'd think that the head of Daimler would have little to worry about from Silicon Valley right now given his company's technological progress, but there is apparently a good reason to be nervous. CEO Dieter Zetsche tells Welt am Sonntag that a visit to tech companies in the Valley left Daimler convinced that Apple and Google "can do more and know more" about cars than previously thought. That's no mean feat when Google's self-driving car efforts are still rough around the edges, and Apple hasn't even acknowledged its plans -- what do you know that we don't, Dieter? He's glad that the companies have "more respect" for Daimler's work than he suspected, but something tells us that Mercedes-Benz will be stepping up its game regardless.
