by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) September 1st, 2010 at 7:56 pm
At the latest IAA Commercial Vehicles fair that was held in Hanover, Daimler FleetBoard introduced its newest products, manufactured for industry-specific transport processes and enhanced fleet productivity.
The fresh FleetBoard Mapping facility allows journeys to be traced in detail, which include its operations in border and urban traffic.
Its DispoPilot.guide is a latest addition to FleetBoard’s line of cab terminals. The navigation system fuses the newest truck attributes and extra functions like the Lane Assistant. As alternate system for use outside of the automobile, DispoPilot.mobile added an integrated barcode scanner and a digital signature facility.
According to Markus Lipinsky, head of Daimler FleetBoard, the terminal with a huge 7-inch display acts as an appealingly priced entry-level model to introduce operators to the world of professional transport management solutions, while giving aid in the areas of job management and navigation.
Additionally, the FleetBoard telematics services will be accessible ex-factory for Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. Through this services, the automobile’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be lessened by up to 20%.
Based on Ralf Schumann, assistant to the management of Transportservice Winkler, they have been utilizing FleetBoard in their Sprinters for more than one year. Through their work in the area of operational analaysis, they have managed to lessen the fuel consumption per vehicle by 1.5 l per 100 km. As some of the vans cover at least 500 km a day, these savings makes a substantial difference in a matter of months.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 18th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Despite the financial crisis that plagued the automotive industry in 2009, car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz haven’t given up from trying to reach more niche markets. Unlike other companies who are afraid that their attempt at tapping into a niche segment would simply draw popularity and thereby kill the main purpose of exclusivity, Mercedes-Benz has plans is to introduce a shooting brake concept, something the company has never tried but is boldly considering.
News of this actually comes after fellow German rival BMW talked to the media about creating a shooting break model of their future 6 Series. It seems Mercedes-Benz wants to enter the fray instead of just passively sit around. Autobild magazine thus reports that Daimler’s breadwinner is considering a shooting brake concept that shall be included in the C-Class range. And since the C-Class is about to be reworked, a shooting break variant would be very much welcome.
If successful, the C-Class shooting break will be called the CLC, and should be something of a mix between a sedan and a wagon, although very much sleeker. The image above, however, is a CLS Shooting Break concept. Although the CLC would probably take up similar design cues. More details to follow, but right now, we’ll leave you to your imagination.
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) July 30th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Things are looking good for the much sensationalized Mercedes-Benz A-Class. While majority of the motoring world have been drawn back since the Silver Arrow announced that they would be modifying its compact segment entry, there are reports that the German carmaker is planning to associate design cues from a few of its more prominent concepts into the look of the new pint sizer. Based on the Detroit Bureau, the A-Class will be based from both the F800 and Concept Fascination prototypes. Though it is not confirmed whether that means that the final product would be released in both four door and hatchback or if the actual car would be a fusion of the two. Either way, the vehicle is expected to be good in every way.
The Concept Fascination Prototype was revealed to the public back in 2008 and immediately roused the interest of some of its followers. Having a long and arching roof line with an aggressive rear flanks, the vehicle looked more fit for the wagon world. Recently, the F800 was showcased at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, having a corporate nose that is much common with majority of the Mercedes-Benz line. Combine the two, shrink it up a bit and you would probably have an idea of what the anticipated A-Class would be like.
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) July 28th, 2010 at 9:42 am
The latest company camaraderie between BMW AG and Daimler AG has surfaced. Based on the news, both companies are gearing up to save money in order to collaborate and come up with the ultimate cash saving plan, which is seat frame sharing. The two competing companies have publicized that they will collaborate on a deal that would pave way to the production of the same seat frames for some of the production BMW and Mercedes-Benz models. Their mother companies have stated that this is part of the numerous partnerships and sharing of production materials BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be going through in the future.
According to the latest report of the German magazine, Der Spiegel, both companies are putting up millions of euros for future projects, which according to them, could save up to 200 million euros ($288 million) a year. Though both the companies assert that the money saving plans will affect the consumers too, critics are doubtful if it will substantially lower the price of a new luxury Mercedes-Benz or BMW. But they are certain that it could bring down any sales price increases in the near future. BMW and Mercedes-Benz clients may be uncertain to share foundations with competing brands, but both companies have guaranteed that only the seat frames will be manufactured together. The trimming, internal cushioning and seat functions will be devised and manufactured separately.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) July 16th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Moving forward doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to drop all your past achievements and start from scratch. Sometimes, you’ve got to take pieces of past, successful projects and use them to build new creations. That’s what Mercedes-Benz is set to do with the next generation of the ML-Class. This time, the company is looking into putting in elements from their up-and-coming GL-Class and future R-Class models, plus advancements in powertrain systems to please future power and emission requirements.
By mid-2011, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV shall still be shrouded in mystery. There are, however, several spy shots of an advance prototype that shows a leaner form, albeit having the same wheelbase. Shots of its interior are included as well, accompanied by a computer-generated rendition of what it’s preferably going to look like.
There are some suggestions that the drivetrain may turn out to be a hybrid—both diesel and electric—although there are rumors that a gasoline-electric hybrid—as suggested by the divulged ML450 Hybrid—may be possible as well. A purely electric version of the ML Hybrid is even more possible, with what looks to be an 80-horsepower electric motor coupled with a direct-injected twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. Battery power is speculated to be around 18-mile duration on full electric power alone.
Source: MotorAuthority
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) July 8th, 2010 at 3:15 am
You already heard of the rumors that Mercedes-Benz is planning on building a smaller version of the SLS. That supposed spin-off would have been called the SLV, sharing the front-engine layout of the Gullwing. But the company decided to forgo that project for something a lot more, shall we say, promising. Mercedes-Benz is still going to work on an SLS derivative, but this time round they’re going to call it the SLM. The M stands for mid-engine. Oh, so NOW you’re listening.
Who would have thought Mercedes-Benz would decide to veer away from the SLS platform and boldly go where so many others have (not?) gone before. Well, at least for this company, a mid-engine super car sounds a little farfetched. Well, only time will be able to tell if it’s going to be a reality. Right now, all we have is a source from AMG saying that creating another front-engine super car would endanger the cash flow being pulled in by the SLS.
So what’s the deal behind the SLM? Lightness and efficiency, apparently. Something to jive with the current trends in the industry. Although the mid-engine layout still puzzles a lot of people, us admittedly. Our source says that it’s the best way not to hurt SLS sales and to be able to rival the Audi R8 and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Coupe. Sounds promising, don’t you think?
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) July 8th, 2010 at 2:05 am
EADS, a military technology supplier, has just unveiled its partnership project with Mercedes-Benz. Dubbed as the 6.X Concept, it is Mercedes-Benz’s next in line G-Wagon Light Armored Patrol Vehicle. Based on the LAPV 5.4, its designed to have less weight at the benefit of having improved protection plus an increased payload carrying capacity.
The 6.X Concept’s high torque common rail diesel engine will be able to hurl it up to 150km/h while transporting up to 1.3 tons of payload. Protection comes in the form of an armor plate system that enables damaged plates to be dropped off in an instant and be replaced with new or spare plates. The system even comes with a mine-deflector plate that protects the LAPV from ground level booby-traps. As an interesting bonus, the LAPV is equipped with an individual tire inflation system that automatically adjusts tire pressure depending on battle ground conditions.
Mercedes-Benz put in place a variable lift front and rear coilover air shock absorbers that are completely adjustable. It’ll be able to lift the LAPV up to 450mm off the ground. Its high performance hydraulic braking system works with four ventilated disc rotors to make climbing and descending hills an easy affair. Branded as the ultimate go anywhere ride, it has a host of radar jamming, communication and mission control systems to make every mission possible.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) June 11th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
What do you think cars will look like forty years from now? Well, here’s a rendition by artist Felipe Palermo.
Apparently, his view of the future isn’t that farfetched, except his design looks like a boat on wheels. What’s funny about this design is it doesn’t seem to have glass windows. Are people of the future supposed to be breathing polluted air? If so, then this design takes its roots from convertibles. But if you look really close at the body and the wheel layout, you’ll notice that it resembles somewhat a Formula One racecar. So apparently Palermo also had performance in mind.
Another part of the design that’s quite bothering is the wheels and tires. Either they’re super shiny slicks, or are made of some kind of fiberglass. According the press release, however, the tires can be injected with rubber once they wear out. It sounds weird but hey, all good ideas sound funny at first. Case in point is Wilbur and Orville Wright. They damn well near killed themselves trying to take off at Kittyhawk. How’s that for weird ideas? We all know where they ended up in history books.
Finally, according to Palermo, the car uses magnetic levetation, a.k.a. MAGLEV, technology, to allow its floating body to ‘roll’ into a turn to put weight onto the inner tires. Such a technology should make Formula One cars cornering look slow. Palermo says his inspiration for this design was the legendary Silver Arrows, Sir Bruce McLaren, and of course, the 1954 Gullwing. So, yeah—it’s a cool concept. What do you think?
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) May 27th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Daimler started to establish fuel-cell automobiles around 1994, presently, Daimler has already allocated $1.23 billion on propulsion technology. Toyota started to delve into the hydrogen field development much earlier by 1992. With years of knowledge and exposure, the two companies became both pioneers in fuel-cell technology. Toyota and Honda were the first automaker who brought commercial hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles on the road at 2002. According to the news, Toyota collaborated with Tesla for the advancement of electric vehicles at NUMMI, additionally, Toyota may unite with Daimler (who also holds share in Tesla) to establish hydrogen-powered vehicles that are easy on the budget.
Based on the Financial Times Deutschland, Toyota and Daimler are setting off with a comprehensive venture with regards to fuel cells for electric cars. While the newspaper tried to get the sides of both companies for validation, Toyota denied any awareness of such a deal while Daimler was not available for comment.
The previous year, a few top companies who’s into fuel cell technology united for the advancement of hydrogen-powered vehicle. Along with the group were such companies as Daimler, Toyota, GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. With all the companies pledging to contribute, it is very possible for such collaboration to take place. According to an analyst at HIS Global Insight, Tim Urquhart, such a collaboration would profit both the companies. High advancement costs to bring fuel-cell powertrain science to production would mean that both Daimler and Toyota would split up the expenses and share their vast information in fuel-cell technology.
If such a venture would take place, it would be a relevant step with regards to the hydrogen vehicle program of each company and it might possibly bring more jobs back to NUMMI.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) May 23rd, 2010 at 2:55 am
It’s unanimous. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is Germany’s most attractive car, according to a poll by AUTO BILD magazine. Daimler AG’s super car received the most votes, beating its sister, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet to the top spot. Meanwhile, it was the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style that won for the concept cars category.
For five years running, AUTO BILD, Germany’s best-selling car magazine, ran a poll for which car appealed the most to their readers. Around 103 new cars were candidates for a total of five award categories, out of which the SLS AMG, E-Class Cabriolet and F 800 Style became highlights. Only last year, it was Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class Saloon that won as the most visually appealing car, while the E-Class Coupe took top spot in yet another category.
Mercedes-Benz Chief Designer, Prof. Gorden Wagener proudly explains that their vehicles carry a lot of confidence thanks to their unbelievable sophistication and sportiness. Wagener believes the trio of MB’s that won the highest votes will no doubt influence future trends towards design in Mercedes-Benz as well as in its rival brands BMW and Audi which are fellow German manufacturers as well. Such recognition spells out Mercedes-Benz’s standing in the German premium car market.
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(6 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
