mercedes

It may just be a matter of time before all data is stored in the cloud, and when that time comes, Mercedes-Benz's next-generation platform will be there waiting.

Mercedes-Benz revealed the futuristic @yourComand infotainment platform in its F 125 fuel-cell research vehicle. The new system takes the current COMAND Online system to the next level. It can be controlled by voice-commands, a touch pad, or hand-gestures, and can access any type of media stored in the cloud.

Unlike systems that rely on the users' smartphone data connection, @yourComand has a permanent "always on" cloud connection. And rather … Read more

At the Mercedes-Benz TecDay 2011 event in Germany, Mercedes revealed its concept infotainment system, @yourCommand, a voice- and gesture-controlled cloud-based system in the F 125 research vehicle. While that system is a few years away from being integrated into production vehicles, Mercedes also announced that in a few months it will begin selling a new infotainment option developed specifically for the iPhone.

Mercedes didn't provide much detail about the future infotainment system except to say that it will leverage the iPhone's processing power "to create a revolutionary user interface with fluent transitions and animation." The car maker also said that various iPhone information and functionality will be displayed on the in-dash display, and will be accessed using the COMAND controller. … Read more

One of the most important aspects of the life of Steve Jobs is the fact that his Mercedes never had license plates.

This fact bedeviled so many. How could this be? Was it special dispensation? Was it backhanders paid to unimpeachable policemen? Was it an intimate contact at the DMV?

No, no. According to a very cheery revelation in IT Wire, Jobs realized that California, with its traditional generosity of spirit, gave you six months to get license plates when you buy a new car.

So the wily different-thinker allegedly made an arrangement with a leasing company to give him … Read more

FRANKFURT--Here's a riddle for luxury automakers: How will big, high-powered cars fit into a world that's greener, more congested, and more tightly regulated than today?

Mercedes-Benz rolled out one possible answer here last month with the F125 concept car.

The F125 checks off many of the boxes on automakers' future-think wish list: hydrogen fuel-cell power train, high-priced materials, computer-assisted driving, advanced telematics. So it's tempting to see it as a science project.

But if you listen to Thomas Weber, r&d chief for Mercedes' parent company Daimler, you realize that the F125 addresses a serious concern--the … Read more

On this week's show, OnStar decides not to be nosy, BMW's M5 makes some noise, and we get our truck on.

• OnStar reverses snooping policy

• BMW officially rebrands itself as Ultimate Poser Car

• M-B gets a 4-cyl in the U.S.

• Artist renders next-gen Toyota Supra concept

• Nissan building GT-R based 'Super Juke' (rumor)

FRANKFURT--Mercedes-Benz has developed a four-cylinder engine family that will power the upcoming A-, B- and C-class lineups in the United States.

Ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 liters, the turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine could offer torque ranging from 185 to 260 pounds-feet, depending on displacement, said Bernard Heil, Daimler AG vice president of power train development.

With help from two fully variable camshaft phases, those torque figures could come on at as low as 1,250 rpm and run at full load up to 5,000 rpm without problems with cooling--impressive for a small-displacement gasoline engine, Heil said in … Read more

Automakers used to innovate slowly, but this year the race is on for integrating apps into the car, and it is moving at a whirlwind pace. Last year Ford kicked off this new era of car technology by integrating Pandora through its Sync AppLink system, and this year nine other automakers jumped on the bandwagon to some degree.

We were impressed to see both Toyota and GM, in the space of a single year, demonstrate and prepare to launch app integration in 2012 model year vehicles.

App integration means bringing services such as Pandora, Google search, and Twitter into the … Read more

FRANKFURT--Daimler AG is considering selling all five variants of the new Mercedes-Benz compact A and B class family in the United States, said CEO Dieter Zetsche. The first U.S. model will go on sale in 2013.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the first member of the range--the next-generation B-class four-door--at the Frankfurt auto show and said that model will be sold in the United States. U.S. prices were not announced; in Germany, the four-door will cost 26,000 euros, or about $35,500, when it goes on sale this year.

The new platform also is being used for a B-class four-door … Read more

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

• 2011 Frankfurt auto show