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Car Tech Live 233: Frankfurt auto show (podcast)

The Car tech guys give us the highlights, low-lights, and drink plenty of beer in the process.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 233 SHOW NOTES

2011 Frankfurt auto show

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 review: An ultra-fine ride

With its new engine, driver assistance features, and cabin tech, the 2012 CLS550 represents the cutting edge of what Mercedes-Benz has to offer. At the same time, it preserves and enhances the brand's luxury image. The standard air suspension gives the car a superlative ride.

Beyond its telematics service, Mercedes-Benz hasn't ventured into app integration, as some of its competitors are doing. But its cabin tech is still first rate, with a speedy navigation system featuring 3D rendered buildings and just about every modern audio source you can think of. The highlight is the Harman Kardon audio system, … Read more

Mercedes-Benz releases crowdsourced stunt videos

Awhile back, Mercedes-Benz asked Facebook fans what stunts they wanted filmed while on set for the new commercial promoting the 2012 C63 AMG Coupe and the C63 AMG Sedan.

According to Mercedes, the requests came flooding in. Today the wait is over. The German automaker posted three videos demonstrating the winning requests.

The stunts were done with professional drivers on closed lots. And shortly after the videos were posted.

Check out the videos for yourself.… Read more

Remote unlock and start for cars hacked

The convenience offered by mobile apps for unlocking car doors and remotely starting their engines is also a weakness, as two hackers will demonstrate at the upcoming Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. Researchers Don Bailey and Mathew Solnik managed to use a laptop to hack the mobile app connection in two different car brands.

The researchers discovered that, when a user pushed the unlock or remote engine start buttons on the app, the phone sends a signal to a service center, which then sends a signal to the car telling it what to do. The researchers intercepted and duplicated … Read more

New Mercedes SLK AMG to feature four or eight cylinders

Mercedes-Benz's AMG division used to spend all its time figuring out how to get more speed out of standard Mercedes-Benz models. It hand-built 6.3-liter engines and made an automatic transmission that shifted like a dual-clutch automated manual. But now AMG engineers have turned their attention toward efficiency.

The latest engines coming out of the workshop use high-pressure direct injection, and now AMG is adding a new trick, cylinder deactivation, to its efficiency repertoire. The 2012 SLK AMG will be the first car to feature the new cylinder deactivation technology. With it, the engine will cut fuel and spark … Read more

Car Tech Live 224: Pandora increases auto offerings (podcast)

Pandora is leaving no car behind, but will the expansion of Spotify derail the momentum? Audi brings its RS line back to the U.S., in small form, while BMW expands use of carbon fiber. And we take a ride in an espresso cup.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 224 SHOW NOTES

First Android Car Radio USB Connection on Way

Spotify launch in US

Pandora increases its auto offerings

BMW opens online art-car gallery

Mercedes-Benz restructuring Smart

Third-gen Mercedes-Benz M-Class: SUV with style

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 2012 M-Class luxury SUV, the newly redesigned M-Class that offers 25 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor.

The German auto-maker is hoping to gain a lead on its rival, BMW's X5 SUV, by offering two V6 engines: the ML350 4MATIC and the ML350 BlueTEC.

The ML350 BlueTEC uses a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel, delivering an output of 240 horsepower and 455 pound feet of torque. The ML350 BlueTEC has an estimated fuel consumption of 20 city and 25 highway.

The 4MATIC runs in a 3.5-liter gas engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of … Read more

Mercedes-Benz sets price of the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster at $183,000

Mercedes-Benz isn't calling the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster a super car, even though it boasts 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque; instead the German automaker is calling the fabric-top ride a dream car.

Available later this year, the $183,000 roadster may be missing gullwing doors, but it's not missing good looks and performance.

Mercedes-Benz teased enthusiasts earlier this month with a look at the roadster undergoing testing in Stuttgart, Germany.

The roadster has an aluminum spaceframe body, an AMG 6.3-liter V8 front-mid engine, a seven-speed dual clutch transaxle transmission, and a sports suspension with aluminum … Read more

Mercedes-Benz releases My '12 CLS-Class iPad app

Can't afford the more than $70,000 for a new CLS-Class coupe? Try customizing a virtual one instead on the Mercedes-Benz My '12 CLS-Class iPad app available free at the Apple Store.

The app, created as a tool for dealership sales associates, lets you take virtual tours of the interior and exterior of the CLS-Class. Users can also customize their own four-door coupe.

Additional apps for My '12 vehicles will launch throughout 2011 to coincide with the retail release dates.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupe to start at $71,300

Mercedes-Benz this week released pricing information and specs on the all-new CLS-Class coupe.

This is a major redesign for Mercedes. The four-door coupe is 1.2 inches longer and wider than its predecessor, and with new biturbo direct-injection V8 engines, the three trims offer some surprising features.

The CLS550 features a new 4.6-liter direct-injection twin-turbo V8; delivering 402 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. It is equipped with new electrically assisted power steering, Airmatic air suspension, and a revised seven-speed automatic transmission. The CLS550 will offer an estimated 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The 2012 CLS63 … Read more