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Filed under: Tech , Videos , Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Benz myCOMAND interface German automakers have gotten plenty of flack for their less than intuitive Navigation/Infotainment systems, but Mercedes Benz is working hard to change that with its myCOMAND concept. The myCOMAND system uses high-speed wireless Internet with upload and download speeds of over 3MB to bring the connectivity of the web into any driver's hands. It's similar to interfaces from the competition in that it gives access to phone info, different types of digital media and the web. The difference comes from Mercedes' decision to go entirely Internet-based. Gone are hard drives, CD/DVD players and most computer hardware. Mercedes stuck with a thin-client and incredibly intuitive graphical user interface coupled with the ubiquitous Mercedes command controller to pull the strings. We got a chance to sit in a myCOMAND-equipped Mercedes at the LA Auto Show today and were up to speed within seconds. We were able to...
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Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage , Sedans/Saloons , Tech , Videos , Mercedes-Benz , AMG Click above for high-res gallery of the AMG S63 There was a time when what we might call super-sedans were largely the province of a dedicated cadre of aftermarket tuners. Companies like Brabus, Alpina and, of course, AMG would generally start with mid-sized German sedans and transform them into something truly special. AMG in particular came to the forefront in 1987 after two decades of building special Mercs when they unleashed the Hammer. They had been building cars for two decades already, but the Hammer took things to a new level by installing a 5.6L V8 from the 560SEC coupe modified with twin-cam four valve heads into the mid-size 300E sedan. With that car, AMG set off an arms race that continues to this day. The tuners are still out there but AMG was eventually brought in from the cold when it was bought by Mercedes-Benz. Today AMG produces high performance versions of almost all Mercedes models...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Tech , Mercedes Benz Mercedes-Benz has laid out a long Road to the Future, detailing its efforts to create "fuel-efficient and environmentally-sustainable premium automobiles without the need to forgo the characteristic brand features." That's fancy talk for having your German chocolate cake and eating it, too. The three areas on which the tri-pointed star wants to focus are fitting vehicles with the latest internal combustion engine technology, including smaller engines, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, and BlueTEC; improving vehicle aerodynamics, weight, and energy management (BlueEFFICIENCY); adding more "hybrid" technologies like start/stop functions and a fully-electric-capable 2-mode hybrid drive; and creating zero-emissions vehicles. Mercedes wants diesels as clean as gas engines, gas engines as efficient as diesels, diesel hybrids, lighter cars, better gas mileage, leprechauns, unicorns, and rainbows for...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Sedans/Saloons , SUVs , Tech , Audi , BMW , Lexus , Mercedes Benz As we reported last month , it appears BMW and Audi, following the lead of Lexus, will begin to offer eight-speed automatic transmissions in their flagship models. Sources are now saying the transmission will be supplied by ZF Friedrichshafen, a familiar German supplier to both marques. Although we don't know all of the specifics, Audi is expected to debut the new slushbox in the range-topping A8 sedan , Q7 SUV , and their future A7 premium model . BMW will likely debut the new gearbox in their premium 7-Series sedan and the X6 Sport Activity Vehicle , according to company sources. The current Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series both use six-speed automatics. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class utilizes a seven-speed automatic of their own design, while Lexus debuted their eight-speed transmission (used in their LS models) four years ago. Increasing the number of forward gears offers advantages in smoothness, acceleration...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Tech , Mercedes Benz Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept Massive amounts of money are being spent in the alternative energy sector of the automotive industry. Last year, Daimler spent $6 billion in research and development and another $2.7 billion on environmental protection. Expect those already rather large sums to increase in the coming years. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will "increase these budgets even more and by 2010 we'll invest $21 billion in research and development." Daimler has invested heavily in hydrogen technology and holds twenty-five patents protecting new battery technology for automobile use. Further development will continue to cost a large chunk of change. Of particular interest is the fact that Daimler intends "to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption," according to Zetsche...
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Filed under: Euro , Plants/Manufacturing , Tech , BMW , Mercedes Benz Reports out of Munich are that BMW and Mercedes will be getting very cozy when it comes to cooperation. Earlier this year, Mercedes said "nein" to some sort of tie-up with BMW , even as Daimler was eying MINI motors for its upcoming A- and B-Class cars. Unnamed sources, though, have told the Financial Times Deutschland that BMW and Mercedes are not only looking at cooperating on engines, but they could also be open to developing assemblies like "axles, steering gear or drive systems." BMW is being driven by the desire to cut costs. One can only assume that Mercedes, for all of its protestations, has the same thing in mind. Every carmaker is coming out with a raft of smaller cars to serve multiple purposes, among them: meet CO2 emissions and CAFE standards, put on a green face on for the public, and, of course, increase volume by selling more inexpensive vehicles. While we're sure consumers would...
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Filed under: Gadgets , Tech , Mercedes Benz As suspected , Hughes Telematics announced today that it would be supplying Mercedes-Benz with a new hardware and software platform that will bring in-car navigation, safety and infotainment to the next level. The press release after the jump doesn't get into a lot of detail about what new features await Benz buyers when the system is implemented in 2009, but with Mercedes' consistent focus to provide its owners with the most high-tech, gee-wiz gadgetry, we're sure it will be suitably impressive. Hughes boasts that the new, open architecture is capable of receiving constant updates, allowing the system to evolve as new applications become available. Hughes has also been tapped to provide Chrysler with a similar system, due out around the same time. Continue reading Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: China , Euro , Japan , Tech , DaimlerChrysler , Mercedes Benz Daimler is apparently getting tired of sourcing its turbochargers from outside companies, so it's enacting a three- to five-year plan than will make it one of the top three producers of our favorite power-adder. The automaker currently gets about 50-percent of its turbos from IHI Charging Systems International in Japan, which produces about seven-percent of snails worldwide. Just Mercedes-Benz diesel models account for over 500,000 turbos used each year, and Daimler is right in thinking that demand for blown engines will continue to grow as consumers look for more fuel-efficient models that create similar power to their naturally aspirated counterparts. The goal is to produce 600,000 units per year - up from 500,000 in 2006 - in a joint effort with a company based in Italy. The move will solidify Daimler as a leader both in manufacturing and technology that should pay dividends as more consumers look to turbocharged...
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Filed under: Etc. , Tech , Mercedes Benz , Driving Mercedes is introducing a feature called Search and Send to that will allow you to send Google and Yahoo! driving directions directly to your car's navigation system. How it works: you get driving directions...
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Filed under: Government/Legal , Green , Tech , Mercedes Benz Although Mercedes-Benz USA is still committed to diesels in all 50 states, it has had to accept the bad with the good. As the model year has rolled into 2008, they have lost three more states...
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