mercedes

Mercedes-Benz claims battery breakthrough

Current mass-produced hybrid cars use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but Mercedes-Benz says it will launch the first hybrid with lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries are more efficient than nickel-metal hydride batteries and have a better weight-to-power ratio, and are used in the all-electric Tesla roadster as well as in many plug-in hybrid conversions. But large stacks of lithium ion batteries can overheat, a serious problem in an automotive application. Mercedes-Benz announced it has 25 patents around making lithium ion suitable for cars, detailing a key breakthrough of integrating the battery with a car's climate control system, which maintains the … Read more

Mercedes to offer "eco variants" on its model lineup

Mercedes-Benz is apparently planning to use next week's Geneva auto show to unveil two new fuel-efficient versions of the C-Class sedan in the first example of a new line of "eco variants" of its main model lineup. According to Just Auto, Mercedes is planning to roll the strategy out to 20 other models over the course of the next year. BMW is also expected to launch a green concept car at the Geneva show. Both luxury German automakers are likely to be among the hardest hit by new European Commission legislation for stricter emissions and fuel efficiency … Read more

Automotive interfaces: From worst to best

We've gathered photos from our Car Tech reviews of every major automaker's software interface. These interfaces are what you see on a car's LCD, and we've covered manufacturers from Mercedes-Benz to GM. Many of the interfaces are poorly designed, probably taken straight from the original equipment manufacturer who built the car's navigation system and stereo interface. For our comparison, we concentrated on music screens, as these show on-screen buttons and fonts. Take a look and tell us which company you think offers the best and worst interface.

Click here for photos of every automotive interface available.… Read more

Cars you can talk to

In-car voice recognition still has some way to go before it replaces buttons, dials, and good old fashioned manual programming. However, a few automakers are taking the lead in creating in-car interfaces that are easy to use. Among our favorites are Acura and Honda, Infiniti, Mercedes, and now--thanks to the launch of the Microsoft Sync system--Ford. Check out our roundup of cars you can talk to with a good chance of being understood.

Photos: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL

Mercedes is on a model-refresh rampage. Following the very successful update to the C-Class for 2008, and last week's CLS-class makeover announcement, comes news and images of the 2009 SL roadster. On the outside, the convertible gets a new schnoz with a grille face-lift and new headlights, as well as a couple of power domes on the hood. Inside, the COMAND system that so underwhelmed us in our review of the 2007 SL550 is augmented with a hard-drive based navigation system and music server. Interestingly (and somewhat disappointingly), the new SL does not receive S-Class-level cabin tech upgrade that … Read more

Photos: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class preview

We take a close look at photos of the updated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class to see how the cabin tech may have been improved. The design of the CLS impressed us ever since the car's launch in 2005. But Mercedes-Benz's cabin tech has been a mixed bag, with some mediocre versions of its COMAND interface in various models. We saw great improvement with the new C-Class last year, and hope the new CLS gets a similar update.

Click here for photos of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Photos: New cars at the 2008 Detroit auto show

Automakers used this year's Detroit auto show to launch a number of significant new cars and model upgrades, featuring the latest in cabin and powertrain tech. Ford and Dodge went head to head with new pickups, and we saw many exciting new sports cars.

Click here for photos of new cars shown in Detroit.

Click here for more 2008 Detroit auto show coverage.

Photos: Diesel in Detroit

At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, diesel cars grabbed their share of the limelight, as manufacturers such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW prepare to import new diesel vehicles to the U.S. New diesel engines promise performance equivalent to gasoline cars but much better mileage, and new technology means cleaner emissions.

Click here for photos of new diesel cars shown in Detroit.

Click here for more 2008 Detroit auto show coverage.

Review: 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63

How do you improve upon what is arguably the most technologically advanced production car on the market? Easy--make it go faster. When we reviewed the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan last year, we were blown away by its arsenal of tech features, including its night-vision camera, preternatural voice-recognition system, and optional massage seats. With the S63, Mercedes keeps all the technoluxury intact and bolts on an AMG-tuned 6.3-liter V-8. The results are...well, see for yourself.