Entries Tagged 'Mercedes-Benz' ↓

Efficiency paired with elegance:
Pioneering premium sedan with “green” technology and avant-garde design

* A reinterpretation of the concept of “fascination and responsibility”
* Multi-drive platform enables use of two alternative drive systems – either Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell
* Intelligent display concept focusing on “electric driving”
* HMI with cam touchpad for intuitive and precise operation
* Traffic Jam Assistant for increased comfort and safety

Mercedes-Benz’ F800 Style research vehicle is showing the future of premium automobiles from a new perspective, as the five-seat premium sedan combines highly efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features and an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling in line with the brand’s hallmark attribute of refined performance.

The F800 Style has a spacious interior full of intelligent seating, operating, and display concepts. Another unique feature of the large sedan is an all-new multi drive platform, which accommodates electric drives with fuel cells (enabling ranges of almost 375 miles) as well as the use of Plug-in Hybrids that can drive for up to 18 miles solely on electricity. Both variants of the F800 Style therefore make locally emission-free mobility possible at the level of a premium-class automobile, while at the same time being fully suited for everyday driving and providing a dynamic driving experience.

“We are dedicated to reconciling our responsibility for the environment with practical customer utility in a fascinating automobile,” says Dr. Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new F800 Style research vehicle combines this commitment to providing the leading innovative drive concepts with our traditional Mercedes strengths in the areas of design, safety, comfort, and outstanding performance.”

A glance into the future of pioneering premium sedans

Within the 15.5-foot external length of the F800 Style, all of the components of the vehicle’s efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drives (Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell drive system) are installed in a space-saving manner in the engine compartment and the gaps within the chassis. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space for the installation. This applies in particular to the electric drive with fuel cell, which has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz to be compact and powerful. The front end’s compact package was made possible through the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for five occupants.

“For many decades now, our research vehicles have been turning pioneering concepts into reality and thereby setting future trends. We set a course on the large touring sedan segment in 2007, when we presented the F700,” says Prof. Herbert Kohler, Head of E-Drive & Future Mobility and Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler. “Characteristic features of the F800 Style are its innovations, whose development is already close to the series production stage. This is true not only of the electric drive with fuel cells but also of the Plug-in Hybrid, whose components were taken from our modular system for electric and hybrid vehicles.”

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Mercedes-Benz has been teasing us for months now, not only did they publishing official photos of the SLS in camo, but also showed us pictures of the interior. Well the curtain is now off, thanks to a leaked image that a German magazine will publish, which in turn has also been leaked. Numerous sites are reporting that the first leaked image of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS is real. Even our very own “Insider” has confirmed that this is real and that he/she has seen it.

Here we have two very different versions of the same grainy image. The first of which is clearly a magazine cover from Autobild with a bonus rear shot, and the second version from Autowerald.com in The Netherlands is the source image without the clutter.

The SLS AMG will mark the first appearance of a production car fitted with gull-wing doors since, well… we suppose the DMC-12 DeLorean, though we’re certain that Mercedes hopes its car conjure an image of the original 300SL on which this supercar’s styling is based. The cues are all there, including a grille that looks like a guppy with its mouth wide open, fender vents aft of the front wheels and, of course, those doors.

Power will surely be provided by the biggest AMG-sourced V8 that will fit under the long hood, though we have heard rumors of an all-electric version arriving in 2015. We’ll see about that, but in the meantime you can compare the shot above to spy shots of the car that were officially released by Mercedes back in April.

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé: Excitement can be this efficient

Feb 17, 2009 Stuttgart – The Geneva Motor Show will see the comeback of an intriguing product idea when Mercedes-Benz presents the Coupé range in the new E Class. Just three months after the presentation of the Saloon, the brand is therefore launching a new highlight in the new model series while continuing a tradition that has repeatedly met with great enthusiasm throughout the history of the E-Class.

The new E-Class Coupé offers a very special combination of two attributes for which the Mercedes brand is known: fascination and efficiency. With its classic coupé side aspect – no B-pillars and fully retractable side windows – the new two-door car is a particularly sporty interpretation of the E-Class’s dynamic design. At the same time the most aerodynamic variant of the Coupés achieves a new world best in terms of drag coefficient: with a Cd-figure of just 0.24, this model is the world’s most aerodynamically efficient series-production car. The model programme includes two new 4-cylinder engines, which consume up to 17% less fuel whilst offering a significant increase in performance and torque. The new E-Class Coupé’s standard-fit AGILITY CONTROL suspension adjusts automatically to the current driving situation. It combines driving enjoyment and excellent handling with the maximum comfort. The new E-Class Coupé will be in the showrooms of the European Mercedes-Benz dealerships and company-owned sales outlets at the beginning of May 2009.

The new Coupé offers all the technical innovations of the new E-Class series that one might expect to find in a sports-oriented luxury coupé. These include selective damper control, drowsiness detection, preventive occupant protection and the Active Bonnet. As a feature specific to the Coupé, the Dynamic Driving package allows different suspension setups at the touch of a button. Adaptive Main Beam Assist, road sign recognition and an automatic emergency braking system are other features with which the new series sets standards in this vehicle category.

The E-Class also takes on a pioneering role in the drive sector. The new diesels and direct-injection petrol engines combine efficiency with an effortless power delivery. The engine line-up includes two new four-cylinder models which deliver significantly more power and torque while consuming up to 17 percent less fuel. The best example is the E 250 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY Coupé, which consumes 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and emits 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre, making it one of the most economical vehicles in its class.

The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle’s electrical power requirements, plus the very decisive factor of outstanding aerodynamics .

Design which expresses passion and effortless superiority
The design of the new two-door model includes traditional styling elements which give Mercedes-Benz Coupés their unmistakable identity: for example the side windows, which are not interrupted by a B-pillar and are fully retractable. Another hallmark of Mercedes Coupé design is the sports radiator grille with the large central star. At the same time, however, the new model points the way to the future with an exciting, contemporary design idiom.

At the same time the Coupé shows its close family resemblance to the E-Class Saloon. This is shown by the ‘twin-headlamp face’, with rhomboid contours but somewhat sportier, sharper treatment for a more dynamic and incisive look. Another design feature which the Coupé shares with the Saloon is the powerful contour of the rear wing – a styling cue which also gave the S 220 “Ponton” Coupé of 1955 its athletic appearance.

Although it shares family traits with the Saloon, the Coupé has its own, distinct identity characterised by effortless superiority and a greater sense of passion. The arrow shape of the entire front section from front bumper to radiator to bonnet, the more extreme interpretation of the twin headlamp face and its more sinewy build give it a racier and more dynamic presence.

Newly developed seats with a sporty design
The seats of the E-Class Coupé are new developments whose design and techno-logy reflect the sporty nature of this two-door Mercedes. They are electrically adjustable for seat height and backrest angle as standard. The high, sports car-like seat backrests have a practical Easy-Entry function to make access and egress easier for rear-seat passengers. In conjunction with electric seat adjustment with memory (an optional extra), the front seats are equipped with electropneumatically adjustable four-way lumbar supports; these are able to provide anatomically favourable support for the lower spine, which further improves seating comfort.

Luxury seats with leather upholstery and active ventilation are available as optional extras, as are newly developed multicontour seats with inflatable air chambers in the front seat cushions as well as in the centre and side bolsters of the backrests. Two comfortable individual seats are available for the rear passengers. These feature backrests which can be folded down individually or together to increase the capacity of the luggage compartment. Engines: fuel consumption down by 17 percent

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Mercedes-Benz will be exhibiting a trio of “Concept BlueZero” cars at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show in January 2009. One will be called the BlueZero E-Cell, which runs on an electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery. For those who want plug-in charging, the vehicle can do that.

Two hours of charging gets you 100km of maximum range. But of course, lithium ion batteries have range issues right now, as you can see 100km isn’t really much especially in Europe where cross-country journeys can be really long.

So the other two BlueZero concept cars are the BlueZero E-Plus and the BlueZero F-Cell. The E-Plus has an additional internal combustion engine installed in the rear of the vehicle which is used to generate power to charge the lithium ion battery. The internal combustion engine is taken from the smart family of vehicles, an inline-3 turbocharged engine. This can extend range up to 600km. This is what car manufacturers have been calling an EREV, or an extended range electric vehicle. Finally you have the BlueZero F-Cell, which uses a fuel cell that produces electricity from hydrogen.

Less exciting is the concept-like interior, which looks truly at home in a concept car. It uses organic green materials which can be easily recycled, to satisfy those tree huggers out there.

Last but not least… are we also at the same time looking at a preview of the next generation B-Class design language?

Source: www.icars.sg

Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION study showcases new design idiom

Sense and sensuousness – a compelling in-terpretation of a coupé concept

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz builds the world’s most desirable coupés – a claim which the Stuttgart-based car maker is underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with its ConceptFASCINATION design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative and unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a new way, represents an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass give a particularly exclusive look and feel to the luggage compartment which incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering a large load space. These attributes embody the two objectives of ConceptFASCINATION – to provide a high level of practical usability and to create a coupé which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling lines. In developing this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus to the long-established (although now rarely seen) “shooting brake”, a vehicle category with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the constraints of a specifications book, the designers have created an automotive sculpture with great aesthetic appeal which once again demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’s high level of design expertise.

ConceptFASCINATION is a unique jewel of compelling automotive design which is distinguished by its irresistibly dynamic lines yet still offers the be-nefits of a large luggage compartment. A particularly notable feature of the design is that the practical load space develops organically from the exciting and elegant lines of this lifestyle coupé, giving it its special charisma. Inside, the tone is set by fine, exceptional materials hand-crafted to the highest standard. Absolute perfection and attention to detail make this design study an incomparable gem which conveys at one and the same time a sense of sporty forward movement and elegance, savoir-vivre and exclusivity of the highest level.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, commented: “This design study continues the long tradition of exciting coupés from Mercedes-Benz in impressive style. With its emotionally ap-pealing lines, ConceptFASCINATION offers a completely new interpretation of the coupé. Its aesthetic, dynamic looks and painstakingly crafted details ensure that this study meets the highest design standards.”

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