mercedes-benz

Throughout 2010, CNET Car Tech editors drove thousands of miles reviewing more than 80 cars. We punched addresses into the navigation systems, talked to the cars through voice command, listened to music from a variety of audio sources, and even made calls to see how well Bluetooth phone systems worked. We took the cars onto twisty roads, bumpy roads, up steep hills, into stop-and-go traffic, and sped long distances on freeways to get a sense of fuel economy, handling, ride quality, and acceleration. We tested lane departure systems, blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and automated braking.

Now, at the end … Read more

So maybe you can't actually buy the pint-sized Volkswagen Gol concept featured last week (and with a top speed of 17 mph, who'd want to?) but what would you say to a half-scale Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Porsche Speedster, or Jaguar E-Type?

These tiny Pocket Classics roadsters feature working lights, turn signals, horn, and, most importantly, a 110cc gasoline engine with a three-speed automatic transmission. On models that don't come with the optional speed limiter, top speed is 46 mph. Of course, there's no word on how long it would take to reach that speed or how … Read more

Teaser videos and pictures of the 2012 Audi A6 have been swirling around the Internet for the past couple of days, but here is the real thing.

Worldcarfans.com this morning posted this video on YouTube. It shows the 2012 Audio A6 sporting a delightful, if not conservative, design.

The 15-minute video highlights the LED headlights, taillights and 16-inch alloy wheels, an integrated trunk-lid spoiler, and a dual exhaust system. The wheelbase has been stretched out a bit longer than the 2011 as well.

Although Audi didn't release specs on its Web site or any press release I could … Read more

Attendees of the 2012 London Olympic Games may be in for a 'green' ride.

A seven-seat electric taxi was awarded Most Economic & Environment Friendly Multi-Purpose Electric Vehicle at the Royal Automobile Club's (RAC) Future Car Challenge.

The Mercedes Electric Vito (eVito) Taxi, which was a collaboration between Mercedes Benz, Zytek Automotive, and Valence, is powered by Valence batteries.

The challenge was to produce a concept of a pollution-free fleet vehicle that could be used as taxis during the Olympic games.

The eVito beat out 59 other vehicles by finishing the 57-mile run with about 30 percent of its … Read more

Mercedes-Benz today unveiled two new engines for the 2011 CL-Class.

The first of two all-new direct injection biturbo V8 engines is for the 2011 CL550 4MATIC. According to Mercedes, the 4.6-liter V8 engine has 20 percent smaller displacement than its predecessor, but delivers 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which is 12 percent more horsepower and 32 percent more torque. It also has an improved fuel economy of about 10 percent. The CL550 4MATIC will have an MSRP of $114,025.

The second new engine is for the 2011 CL63 AMG coupe ($151,125) and S63 AMG sedan ($… Read more

Convertibles are a blast in sunny weather but lose their charm on cold, rainy days. Mercedes-Benz couldn't do anything about the rain, but the E550 Cabriolet is still comfortable when it is cold out. Heated seats and its Air Scarf technology, a system that blows warm air over your neck from the headrests, coddle the driver and front passenger in a cozy cocoon when the mercury drops.

Mercedes-Benz accentuates the E550 Cabriolet's other luxury appointments with some fairly impressive sport handling, giving the car an exciting edge.

Check out our 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet review.

During the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Euro NCAP presented nine awards to automakers for new, advanced safety technologies. The awards covered crash prevention and mitigation technologies as well as emergency telematics services.

Here are the nine winning technologies:

Audi Side Assist A blind-spot detection system, Audi Side Assist shows a warning light when a car is detected on either the right or left rear quarter of the Side Assist-equipped vehicle.

BMW Assist Advanced eCall When onboard sensors show that a BMW has been involved in an accident, this system dials a BMW call center, sending data about the severity of … Read more

PARIS--Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz will bring to the United States several vehicles based on platforms smaller than what they currently sell there.

BMW will bring a new front-wheel-drive family of cars in a class known as UKL, a German abbreviation for lower-compact-class cars.

"It will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles," Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, told Automotive News last week at the Paris Motor Show.

He didn't disclose what body styles BMW is developing but confirmed that the vehicles will have a four-cylinder engine in the … Read more

A decade ago, Bang & Olufsen started up its automotive division. Now it has hit the trifecta, partnering with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the three major German automakers.

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, we saw examples of Bang & Olufsen stereo installations in the Audi A8, the BMW Concept 6-series Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid.

Bang & Olufsen is a high-end Danish manufacturer of audio components, and has shown a flair for the dramatic in its automotive installations. Speakers rise up out of dashboards while grilles are made of brushed aluminum and include ambient lighting around the edges. … Read more