Mercedes S-Class: the car that needs no driver

A car that drives himself. This is the big news from Mercedes for next year, with the new Mercedes S-Class as figurehead of a novel technology called autonomous steering system.

This is made ​​possible by a large number of sensors - 26 - distributed throughout the body and whose tasks are, among others, by the traffic control and the distance to the nearest vehicle. By compiling all this information, the system will be able to control the car.

Mercedes reinforces production in Germany and Finland

The launch of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been, according to the brand, the most successful ever, forcing the Rastatt plant in Germany, to increase shifts due to more than 70 000 orders.

The model, modified by Mercedes to compete with the direct competitors Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, but also with the generalist cars Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra and Renault Mégane, has received an investment of 1.2 billion euros and started a new generation of Mercedes cars.

The increase in orders forced Mercedes to increase the Rastatt teams "to deliver the vehicles as quickly as possible," explained Peter WESP, general director of the factory.

Furthermore, the factory of Kecskemét, Hungary, which produces mainly the Mercedes Class B, is also operate "at full capacity" to produce the new Mercedes Benz A-Class

In view of orders, Daimler, owner of Mercedes-Benz, recently asked the Finnish supplier Valmet Automotive to produce over 100 000 units between 2013 and 2016.

The chief executive of Daimler, Joachim Schmidt, said in presenting accounts of the company 'sales increased due to the launch of the new Mercedes Class A and Class B, " hoping, with these results surpass a new sales record.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class by Brabus

The Mercedes A-Class is still new in the market, but Brabus has long been working on components of performance. The unveil in full at the next Essen Motor Show, within a month, these accessories include a rear spoiler and a front baffle whose profiles were developed and tested in a wind tunnel by engineers from Brabus.

Wheels with various designs and diameters between 17 and 19 inches, the maximum affordable at Mercedes A-Class. The clipping of the suspension was reduced in height and adapted for use with low profile tires.

But the most important innovations are certainly in the engine, and Brabus only disclosed to date the presence of a double tailpipe. We'll see what the addition of power in reserve, from the 1st of December.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class pictures

Mercedes C-Class Cabrio.

Mercedes-Benz is already working on the next C-Class generation , which should emerge next year . However said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA to USA Today, among the variants of the new Mercedes C-Class is a convertible.

This will be the most affordable Mercedes-Benz cabrio.

The entry version of Mercedes-Benz C-Class convertible should have a turbocharged four cylinders engine and, in addition, the range will include a new V6, Diesel and a hybrid engine between the range of options.

McLaren seeks alternative to Mercedes

McLaren prepares to put end to the deal with Mercedes, which covers the supply of F1 engines until 2015.

The McLaren team will return to use Honda engines starting in 2013, the season in which the builder will start to pay the German partnership that began in 1995.

The British media revealed that McLaren does not intend to include in their cost 8 million pounds turning to a builder with whom achieved remarkable success between 1988 and 1992, seasons in which it won four world titles - three with Ayrton Senna and one with Alain Prost.

From 2014, the technical regulation of F1 provides a significant change when it comes to engines, which will be turbo 1.6-liter V4 - they are currently 2.4-liter V8.

New Mercedes-Benz A Class 180 CDI

The exterior lines of the new Mercedes A-Class, as the interior, mark a breakthrough with all previous models, which were taller and narrower. This has a much more sporty design, with the front in "V", a low center of gravity, and a road behavior that is closer to a two-door compact car than a five-door car. But his strongest argument comes from the engine with 1.5 liter, made by Renault, which is very economical, with moderate consumption in all types of use. It is, therefore, a German "star" with a French heart.

Compared to the previous model, the new Mercedes A-Class has less than 18 centimeters tall, and has 4.292 meters in length and 1.78 meters wide.

Also the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz Class A received a better level of detail than the previous designs, being perceptive the quality of the materials used.

Mercedes-Benz hits sales record

Mercedes-Benz announced increased sales in the first nine months of the year, at 4.7%, compared to the same period in 2011, selling 1.04 million cars.

The automotive group which includes the brands Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG and Maybach notes, also in September, an increase of 2.4% over the same month in last year, selling 132,606 units.

"So we are on track to reach a new record level of total sales at the end of this year," said sales director at Mercedes, Joachim Schmidt.

Mercedes supports investigation in U.S.

Mercedes is supporting the implementation of the technology vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) through the participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation program .

The initiative was launched last August in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The U.S. Transportation Department has equipped eight passenger cars, Mercedes C-300, and three Freightliner trucks with systems DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) of 5.9 GHz wireless technology V2V project.

The cars have LED lighting on the instrument panel that lights in case of possible collision. The commercials have a warning system installed on tablet devices in the cockpit. Residents of Ann Arbor will drive these models for a year, while researchers collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of systems.

Mercedes strengthens this technology support with the research project, simTD (Safe Intelligent Mobility) to implement in Europe. The goal will be to test the suitability of the V2V system in daily use of real traffic situations on the road.

Mercedes presents SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive was one of the world premieres promoted by Daimler in the 2012 edition of the Paris Motor Show.

This super sports car 100% electric can accelerate from 0 to 100km / h in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed (limited) of 250 km / h. The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive has 751 horsepower and a torque of 1000nm.

The Mercedes SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive offers a range of 250 kilometers and can be charged in three hours with a special 22kW socket . In a conventional socket, it takes 20 hours to full charging.

More Mercedes Benz SLS AMG pictures

Mercedes confirms Lewis Hamilton instead of Schumacher

The Mercedes AMG Petronas confirmed, this Friday, the rumor that had been reported in Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton signed a contract with McLaren valid for three seasons, starting in 2013.

Hamilton, will replace Michael Schumacher, who leaves Mercedes after three years.

"Unfortunately things did not go as we all wanted in sporting terms," said Schumacher, wishing the best luck to both Mercedes AMG and Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton showed up enthusiastic about this new challenge: "Mercedes-Benz has an incredible heritage in motor sport, plus a huge passion for winning, with which I identify. Together we can grow in this new challenge and I believe I can help the team reach the top. "