Shown live at the Detroit Auto Show was smart’s For-Us concept vehicle. The pickup truck concept is a refreshing departure from the retrimmed and basically repainted smart vehicles that we are growing tired of seeing. But pickup is a generous description for this city vehicle, as it is not much larger than the smart cars we are used to seeing.

For motive power, this mini-pickup has a 75-horsepower electric motor run by a 17.6 kW/h lithium ion pack. Smart claims 0 to 60 times in five seconds with a top speed of 80 mph. Charging from 20 percent to 80 takes three and a half hours while 8 hours is needed for a complete top up. With only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the for-us is not a very practical hauler but as a concept car, it is an interesting take on a city vehicle.

The number of new car models coming from the design and engineering studios of Mercedes-Benz these days is astounding. But this must be part of the strategy that Mercedes is employing to once again establish its superiority over its other German car manufacturing rivals. On the heels of the announcement of the CLC is news of another little brother to a well-known Mercedes model.

Owing to the relatively healthy sales of the SLS AMG supercar, a baby SLS is now under gestation at Mercedes’ design and engineering facilities. There are no details yet as to what platform will underpin the car, but if it’s going to be a rival for the new 911, then the size should be near that benchmark sports car.  Like the SLS, the car will initially appear as a coupe version, with a cabriolet appearing down the line.

Power is expected to be provided by the 5.5-liter V8, although it’s not sure if the baby SLS will get the biturbo version too. There has to be some differentiation in terms of performance and the SLS AMG is supposed to be the pinnacle. At any rate, the naturally-aspirated engine is no slouch and if there is perceived lack of power, you can be sure that aftermarket tuners will be quick to address that matter. We can expect this baby SLS to have the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that seems to be the perfect partner for the high performance V8.

The baby SLS will reportedly hit the market in 2014 with a price tag of a little over $100,000.

Gary Savage, Managing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars in the UK said that, “Both visually and technologically, Concept A-Class provides an exciting insight into the potential future of the Mercedes-Benz compact car range, and a tantalizing glimpse of some of the features that we’re confident would influence future customers in this highly-competitive sector.”

The shopping mall locations are the places where Mercedes feels a compact car with luxury features will make a strong connection with the market the carmaker is after.

At the Frankfurt Auto Show, smart presented its Forvision concept car that could be a glimpse into the next-generation Fortwo.

As befits a concept for the future, innovative new design and material concepts are explored in the Forvision, such as the use of carbon fiber reinforced with epoxy resins, which was used for the passenger cell and the doors. Also explored in the concept was the use of plastic wheels, which also offer significant weight savings like the carbon fiber passenger cell. All these materials provide 50% weight savings compared to traditional materials. For these innovations, Mercedes collaborated with BASF, the German chemical giant.

The concept car is powered by an electric motor, and the solar panel mounted on the roof section will help provide current to drive the plug-in EV.

Mercedes is really serious about further developing its F-Cell technology, as evidenced by a concept car it very quietly developed in time for the 2011 Frankfurt Show. Called the F125, it features gullwing doors like the SLS supercar and is powered by a hydrogen cell. Like the electric SLS, it’s got four electric motors behind the wheels with a total output in the region of 230 horsepower.

As with all electric-motor driven cars, full torque is immediately available, so this car can hit 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. With its hydrogen fuell cell, range is 620 miles and in case you run out before getting to currently scarce hydrogen refuelling stations, you can go 30 more miles on the battery reserve.

There’s no word, official or otherwise, on what the F125 represents in the production line, but it would be safe to say that some design cues will make it to future Mercedes vehicles that we’ll see on the road.

Let it not be said that Mercedes’ designers have staid old values whose cars pander only to the well-heeled luxury set. In celebrating the 60th anniversary of this legendary work vehicle, Mercedes has developed a Unimog concept. Based on the Unimog U5000 chassis, it is hardly something that one would think as anything but a playful expression of what a future Unimog could look like.

Looking at the whimsical design, it is far removed from the utilitarian image that we have come to associate with the faithful work truck. It has an exposed chassis and an exposed cab, which is reminiscent of the first Unimogs from 1951, which had an open cab. The monstrous grill cannot be mistaken for anything but a Mercedes and the wheels are clearly concept wheels as one cannot imagine them standing up to the abuse that a Unimog takes in the regular course of its service life.

Still, it is nice to see Mercedes looking at the Unimog with new eyes and fresh directions. If Mercedes truly wanted more exposure for this concept, it could do worse than show this vehicle off at monster truck festivals, where it would feel right a home with its crazy look.

This project made the car look fresh with touches of great colors, materials, textures and trimmings all from Boxfresh graphics’ team. The graphics company said they collaborated with smart because they share the same “enthusiasm and passion for design and have a truly global reach” according to Daniel Morris the Managing Director of Boxfresh. He also added that the concept car “is a true reflection of the coming together of our two brands.”

Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz UK, Gary Savage said that the concept car is a way to connect the brand with new market as well as to add personality and fun to the brand.

Unfortunately, the smart concept Boxfresh style is just a model vehicle so it will not be available to the market. However, it is a promotion for the upcoming limited edition car by the two companies later this year.

The rumor mills are saying that Mercedes is reportedly developing a new range-topping sedan. This new luxury car is supposed to squarely match up against the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, one of the VAG conglomerate’s luxury offerings.

No details are immediately forthcoming from the German automaker, but the rumor is that this new model will look like a super CLS and is intended to be sold beside the CL. In keeping with its super CLS stature, this new model will have dramatic styling and dramatic performance, courtesy of Mercedes’ AMG division. Since this super CLS will undoubtedly offer new levels of luxury, the rumors include a Maybach variant that Daimler’s ultra-luxury division is considering, given the interest generated by the Xenatec 57S Cruiserio coupe.

Some people just can’t get enough of concept car designs. Well, here’s one that may just strike the fancy of even those who aren’t all that interested. The Mercedes-Benz Aria was envisioned for the year 2030. Its designer says that despite the concept being powered by electricity, it retains much of the styling cues that people have grown to love from petrol-driven vehicles – it is sleek, dynamic and sexy.

The Aria’s designer wanted a theme that struck no bounds. Simply put, the design had to be timeless – just like musical instruments. Try to visualize a piano when it is closed – it is elegant and extremely classy. A piano’s key, albeit basic, give the instrument a distinct appeal. That’s what the designer wanted for the Aria. Its sleek body is full of characteristics similar to that of musical instruments.

Looking at the Aria, it seems to have been sculpted after a woman’s body. And yet, upon close scrutiny, you’ll find a great level of detail that the artist put into each and every component. It seems like a big strand of beautiful hair that is free flowing and eternally attractive. The designer admits that the Aria is based largely on a mix of fashion and architecture rolled into one.

Check out the video clip here guys. It’s an other-worldly experience.

Source: Slavche Tanevski via World Car Fans

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A long bonnet, low silhouette and slim window areas: the proportions of the Concept A-Class stand for concentrated dynamism. Its sporty appearance is given particular depth by the interplay between lines and surfaces. “The Concept A-Class introduces the new Mercedes-Benz design idiom into the compact class in a sculptured, light and expressive interpretation,” says Professor Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. “We use the term ‘captured energy’ to express the sheer dynamism exuded by the Concept A-Class. Our formal sources of inspiration were the wind and waves, as well as aviation engineering, resulting in this “cool” look.”

New turbocharged petrol engine, seven-speed dual clutch transmission

But it is not only visually, but also technologically that the Concept A-Class is ushering in a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz. This front-wheel drive model is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine from the new M270 series. It was designed for transverse installation, and thanks to direct injection and turbocharging it offers a high performance potential together with minimal emissions and fuel consumption. Other highlights of the all-aluminium engine include injection pressures of up to 200 bar and fast-responding piezo injectors.

The Concept A-Class is equipped with the two-litre variant of the new engine,
developing 155 kW (210 hp). This BlueEFFICIENCY unit is combined with the new Mercedes-Benz dual clutch transmission. As a three-shaft transmission, this has seven forward gears which are shifted automatically with no interruption in tractive power. The new transmission is therefore particularly economical, sporty and comfortable.

Exterior design with defined edges and a free interplay with the body
surfaces

One major characteristic of the new design idiom at Mercedes-Benz is the expressive interplay between lines and surfaces – which the designers refer to as a “clean” Concept. Thanks to concave and convex surfaces with the resulting light modulation, this creates a unique sculpture-like presence. The Concept A?Class emphatically continues this theme of defined edges and interacting surfaces, which Mercedes-Benz first showed in the F 800 Style. The side view is structured by three prominent lines: the front structural edge forms a dropping line towards the rear, while the pronounced shoulder muscle over the rear axle emphasises the car’s coupé-like character. A further line extends upwards in front of the rear wheel arch in a sweeping curve. These lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The door handles are recessed into the doors, and emerge electrically at the touch of a button.

The unusual, wing-like structure of the exterior mirrors is suggestive of flow and lightness. Another prominent feature is the open side skirt, which creates an unusual light-and-shadow effect. Reminiscent of a turbine rotor, the large 20-inch wheels reinforce the impression that the Concept A-Class has been shaped by the wind.

The front end of the Concept A-Class is a real eye-catcher. The brand logo appears to be surrounded by a starry sky. Where there are usually apertures or louvres, the radiator grille consists of numerous metallic silver “dots” on black stems. This theme is reflected in the design of the wheels.

The visually wide rear end exudes power and athleticism, and is likewise enlivened by an interplay between convex/concave surfaces and pronounced edges. The tail light clusters continue the lines of the muscular shoulders towards the rear, emphasising the car’s width with their horizontal orientation. The aerodynamic spoiler lip in the tail lights improves efficiency, while the diffuser creates a downforce to aid roadholding.

Interior dominated by associations with aviation engineering

The interior of the Concept A-Class, which is flooded with light from the large
panoramic roof, likewise appears to be from another planet. Many of the unusual features were inspired by aircraft engineering, at the same time reflecting ideas from the “Mercedes-Benz Aesthetics No. 2″ interior sculpture. Various component groups have been reduced to a minimum, for example the dashboard and centre console are merely brushed aluminium structures. The result is a transparent, light, bionic design effect.

As an extremely eye-catching detail inside the Concept A-Class, the dashboard takes the form of an aircraft wing and has a translucent, stretchable textile lining. Thanks to this sophisticated fabric, which is vapour-coated with chrome particles, the bionic cellular structure of the dashboard remains visible – its design is reminiscent of a canvas-covered aircraft wing whose underlying struts are discernable. Dramatic backlighting makes this instrument carrier appear particularly futuristic. Thanks to the translucent high-tech lining and lack of a conventional support structure, the dashboard appears to be free-floating. Its lines continue into the door panelling like vapour trails from the winglets of a jet.

The form of the air vents in the dashboard is likewise inspired by the engines of a jet aircraft. The translucent, backlit vents change their colour depending on the temperature the occupants have selected for the climate control system: they are blue if cool, fresh air is vented into the interior, but red if the airflow is heated. The prominent displays in the instrument cluster, which were inspired by the afterburner of a jet engine, are likewise in red. The central control unit is designed as a high-tech flight panel with a shift lever in the shape of a “thrust control”. With their moulded-over head restraints and very pronounced lateral support, the seats call the pilot seat in a jet fighter to mind.

Titanium and silver tones are combined with a light, elegant beige in the interior. Magenta is used to produce highlights that contrast with the car’s alubeam silver paint finish, which follows the dynamic contours of the exterior like liquid silver.

The Concept A-Class makes use of modern materials such as the high-tech lining on the dashboard, or metallised leather where semi-aniline is dyed with metallic pigments and embossed, and also high-grade nubuk leather. This builds a bridge between 125-year tradition of the Mercedes-Benz brand and its claim to progressiveness.

COMAND Online with revolutionary graphic design offers ease of use for smartphone applications

A smartphone is fully integrated into the operating systems of the Concept A?Class. When the phone is inserted into the recess provided in the centre console, it is automatically synchronised with the COMAND multimedia system. All the functions of the smartphone, including internet radio, email and social networks such as Twitter or Facebook, are shown as applications on the 17.8 cm display and can be operated via the rotary/push control.

The visual presentation of the screen elements is unique, with a deep, three-dimensional look created by laser-like, magenta-coloured lines. This near-series display Concept was designed and realised by designers and engineers at the Mercedes-Benz development laboratory in Palo Alto/USA. The menus in the Concept A-Class are in both Mandarin and English.

Headlamps with optical fibres produce a unique effect

A very special effect is created by the lights of the Concept A-Class, as the innovative full-LED high-performance headlamps repeat the starry sky motif of the radiator grille with numerous lighting points. The daytime running lamps consist of 90 optical fibres with aluminium sleeves, and they are arranged in a wing-shape within the headlamp. The tentacle-like fibres form individual, diffused light sources to create a dramatic contrast between soft and harsh.

From any perspective an unusual effect is also created by the LED indicators, which appear to float freely within the headlamps like an enclosed air bubble in a perfume bottle. The indicators are mounted in six chambers at the top of the perspex headlamp unit, and their vapour-coated reflectors remain invisible.

As already brought to series production maturity in the Mercedes CLS, the LED high-performance headlamps of the Concept A-Class combine the Intelligent Light System with LED technology. The projection module of these LED headlamps is no longer round, but rather flatter and more sporty. This sporty impression is reinforced by the matt carbon-fibre housing, which contrasts with the aluminium surround of the projection module.

Optical fibres with aluminium sleeves are also used in the tail lights. 120 optical fibre lighting points form each C-shaped tail light cluster to create a unique visual effect with their subtle glow. They are appropriately lit up for the brake light function. When braking, the continuous light band between the two tail light clusters also lights up to make the Concept A-Class appear even wider. The indicators are self-contained elements in the centre of the tail lights. The base unit of the tail light is of carbon-fibre, with the numerous red elements ensuring visual depth.

New assistance and braking system reduces the risk of rear-end collisions

In the Concept A-Class, safety pioneer Mercedes-Benz is showing another milestone in the democratisation of automotive safety technology: the concept car is equipped with a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist – a world first in the compact class. This system gives a visual and acoustic warning to a possibly inattentive driver, and prepares Brake Assist for an absolutely precise braking response which is initiated as soon as the driver emphatically operates the brake pedal.

In contrast to other systems available in the market for the compact class, the new Brake Assist Collision Prevention Assist is not merely an urban driving system designed to minimise the effects of minor collisions. Instead this innovative solution aims to provide protection against typical rear-end collisions in all driving situations. Mercedes-Benz expects the new safety system to have a significant, positive effect on accident statistics. Following detailed analyses of accident data, Mercedes-Benz safety specialists estimate that this radar-based technology can help to prevent around 20 percent of all rear-end collisions, and mitigate the severity of a further 25 percent.