t Auto Shanghai, China’s premiere international automobile expo, Mercedes Benz this week unveiled a complete makeover of their A Class with a concept car that they’ve described as “the first heartbeat of a new generation”. And indeed, the newly remodeled A Class is a departure from the boxy, compact, utilitarian design of yesteryear (which looks like nothing so much as a slant-nosed Smart car with a couple of extra doors). The new version is sleek, sporty, and almost feline in appearance, an aesthetic that was inspired, according to chief of design Gorden Wagener, by “wind and waves”. But the stylistic choices, both inside and out, are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the redesign of this class of Mercedes.
Mercedes Benz Concept A Class:
The two-door design is not only more attractive, but also provides for more leg room up front (although the back seat still looks a bit cramped and the hatchback provides for very little storage space in the rear). And then there is the roof, made entirely of glass to offer a panoramic view of your surroundings (remember the scene in Jurassic Park with the goat? It’s sort of like that…only no dinosaurs). This is likely thanks to the aviation-inspired interior, which is also apparent in the “free floating” wraparound dash and center console, which are dotted with instrument panels that will put you in mind of a jet engine. And of course, the two-tone, neutral paneling would easily fit into an airplane setting. Included in the center console is a feature that will speak to the modern driver (literally); it’s a smartphone handset that allows users to access their mobile unit hands-free through the voice-activated infotainment system (navigation, media, etc.).
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The luxury car-manufacturer has long been known as one of the most innovative in the market when it comes to pioneering technology meant to improve the overall driving experience. And their latest offerings are nothing to sniff at. The upcoming installments for your next Mercedes Benz purchase could include amenities that make navigation, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and rough roadways slightly more bearable. So whether you’re looking for a vehicle that will get you through morning gridlock or simply one that will give you the smoothest trip down the highway of life, then perhaps you’ll want to check out some of the innovative solutions that are coming out of MB.
1. Traffic Jam Assist System. This nifty feature will have commuters everywhere rushing to their nearest Mercedes Benz dealer. It’s the latest in a push by manufacturers to enter the realm of the future with a self-driving vehicle. A couple of years ago, we all marveled at the car that could parallel park with no driver assistance, using cameras and sensors to navigate around parked cars and curbs alike. These days, the specially equipped S-Class test vehicle makes driving in a traffic jam more like taking a cruise. Sensors track the vehicle in front of you (up to 50 meters away and 25 mph) as well as the lines on the road to keep you within 20 feet of the car in front of you and in your lane at all times, with little to no assistance from you. In fact, you can even have your hands off the wheel entirely for up to eleven seconds, although merely keeping the palm of your hand on the wheel (with no adjusting) will keep the system active.
2. Virtual Highway. You won’t see this technology in the new production line, but it will affect your ride. It’s actually an in-house system for fine-tuning suspension and it works by taking data collected from sensors in real-world situations (a road disfigured by pot-holes, for example) and transmitting it to both a projector and a hydraulic platform fitted with car seats. Technicians then make adjustments to the suspension based on what they feel throughout playback, making your ride smoother, virtually.
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With more and more people looking for ways to clean up the environment by reducing waste and pollution, the last several years have shown a marked growth in the market for eco-friendly vehicles. From biodiesel to hybrids to fully electric automobiles, there are an astounding number of options these days for consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint (and their total at the gas pump). Of course, most expect that the car they end up with is going to be bland and boring, with limited range and acceleration capabilities, but nothing could be further from the truth. With new advances popping up at breakneck speeds (improved acceleration among them), consumers might be surprised at what they can get these days in the way of green transportation. So if you’re looking into purchasing an eco-friendly vehicle, here are just a few that might get your heart racing.
1. Aston Martin Cygnet. Who would have thought that Double-oh-seven’s ultra-masculine chick-magnet of streamlined metal could become eco-friendly? Considering the company’s dedication to building some of the most exclusive cars in the world (and the association with gadgetry), it really should come as no surprise that they would take it to the next level by creating an eco-friendly vehicle. Although this one looks more like a Smart car than the sleek and sporty vehicle driven by the world’s best spy, it’s certainly not short on amenities. And this tailor-made city car won’t break the bank, either. With a starting price of just under $50,000 and an mpg of nearly 60, you can get all the luxury of an Aston Martin for less (while going green).
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What is the most expensive car in the world and how can you get your hands on it without being the owner of Microsoft? Well, the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe is a reasonable candidate. It sold for almost $9 million at auction in 1987. Gems like that come along only rarely, but if you have the money and the opportunity, you need only spend a relatively a small fraction of that amount it to get a production supercar in your garage. Spread betting is one of the few legitimate financial investment exercises that could potentially provide enough cash for the wheels of your dreams. It’s a “marginal” activity, meaning that the bets you place don’t have to be huge to make a great deal of money. There is a risk attached the practice that’s true, but it is perfectly possible to control the exposure to risk and limit your liability to lose.
Assuming you’ve correctly predicted how financial market indices will react on a given day and made your pile of Wonga, what supercar should you choose?
Here are a few thoughts and price tags:
1. Bugatti Veyron – around £1.1 million
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world with a proven top speed of over 253 mph delivered by a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders. Built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS, it’s named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 for the original Bugatti company.
2. Ferrari Enzo – About £640,000
Sometimes also referred to as the F60, this 12-cylinder supercar is named after the company’s founder. It uses F1 performance management technology like a carbon-fibre body, sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs as well as gimmicks not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics where the rear spoiler is actuated by computer to maintain down force at high speeds.
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They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As great art goes, it’s always intriguing to see what that beauty can be worth. While one Picasso may be bought for $30,000, another is sold at a record breaking $106 million. Classic cars are no different. To automotive connoisseurs, a vintage car is a beautiful work of art, splendid in its form, performance, and aesthetic appeal. They are just as precious as a painting or sculpture, and now demand as much money in the car collecting market. This past Saturday, as with the Picasso before it, the 1930s Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic set a record to become the world’s most expensive car at $30 million.
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In a celebrating and wonderful atmosphere, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart, and Qatar Holding LLC (QH), signed an agreement, marking the entry of the Emirate of Watar in the Porsche SE family. This afternoon,
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Rolls-Royce 200EX is the latest experimental vehicle from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It is based on the latest design course we know from Rolls-Royce. It is elegant, modern and bold in the same time, featuring four doors for easy entry. It is perfect example what one super luxurious limousine should look like and it certainly is the king on the road.
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Porsche slowly teases the public in the last year releasing half-disguised photos of the new Porsche Panamera tested in various climate and road conditions. The official premiere was at the 13th Auto Shangai. Some more details are known today.
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