The 2014 Mercedes S Class will launch with two new models for the United States. The S550 will be here just around the time the kiddies get back to school in September and the S550 4Matic version will show up about a month later. These two new editions have a more powertrain options which also include plug-in hybrid choices for the eco conscious drivers. The S500 gets a twin turbo V8 that will get 449 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque. It hasn’t been confirmed whether these new members of the S Class family will get a high zoot Pullman model or not.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, sums it up best by saying: “Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class.”

Design Chief for the 2014 Mercedes S-Class, Gorden Wagener, adds, “The sophisticated design of the S-Class has always been an expression of luxury and automotive grandeur of its era. And our new S-Class continues this tradition. With its classic architecture and flowing silhouette, it is a modern embodiment of sensual clarity. The design draws a line from the sophisticated, progressive design idiom to the classic elegance of our 1930s cars – intelligence that speaks to the emotions. Stylish sportiness and sensual forms in synthesis with timeless clarity and effortless superiority make the S-Class a true design icon,”

According to the Official Press Release, the most important new technology functions at a glance are:

System Functions

COMAND Online

• WLAN HotSpot integrated into the head unit as standard
• Unrestricted internet browsing
• SMS/email read/write function
• Mercedes-Benz services (e.g. Google search, weather, Facebook, news)
• Internet radio
• Navigation – Navitainment (DriveShow, Google Maps, StreetView)
• Map showing the entire globe possible
• Travelguide and personal POIs
• Display of satellite images
• Optimized 3D navigation with topographical model, photorealistic buildings and map rotation
• Optimized search engine and destination input
• Compilation of four alternative routes
• Download of predefined destinations and routes
• Live Traffic Information
• Radio – Song tagging – flagging of played songs and download via iTunes
• Convenient editing/sorting of the station list
• Station search by station name
• Player – Coverflow display and search by album cover
• Two USB connectors
• Optional Media Interface integrated into the head unit to support mobile devices
• Bluetooth® Audio – wireless music from mobile devices
• Optimized media search engine
• “Play similar titles”
• Reproduction of further audio/video formats
• Display of title information from an internal database and via the internet (Gracenote)
• PictureViewer via SD card/USB
• Phone • Simple Pairing Assist for easy telephone connection via Bluetooth®
• Display of photos stored in the address book possible when a call comes in
• Facility for simultaneous connection of two telephones via Bluetooth® (1st telephone to COMAND Online, 2nd to rear unit)
• Telephone operation by COMAND Online and in the rear if only one phone in the car is connected
• Display of images matching callers, separately stored via COMAND Online
• Placing of telephone calls from other applications (e.g. web browser)
• Control of several telephone calls by call waiting and conference function
• Convenient Bluetooth® handset with touch operation and remote control if rear telephony is specified
• Operation of the system via smartphone/WLAN

Source Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept is coming out with official photos to tease the crowds before its appearance at the 2013 Auto Show China in Shanghai. This event opens this Saturday and is just the first step on the Mercedes-Benz GLA coming out into full production. This model will be revealed later in the year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. From that point it will begin to appear at dealerships as early as winter of 2014.

What we know about the Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept so far is that it is 172.4 inches long, 77.6 inches wide and 61.8 inches tall. This is bigger than the Mercedes-Benz hatch version and makes it way officially into the crossover category. Even though it’s bigger, it will be built on the same platform for optimal performance.

While it hasn’t been confirmed, it is expected that the new Mercedes-Benz GLA will host a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline four cylinder engine for the base model and also offer a diesel engine. The transmissions will then either be a six speed manual for the European versions or perhaps the seven speed DCT, although this hasn’t been confirmed yet either. Whatever Mercedes-Benz picks for the new GLA, everyone will be sorely disappointed if this model doesn’t at least offer 300 horsepower.

Keeping in mind that the Mercedes-Benz GLA is, in all essence, a luxury liner, there are high expectations placed on what drivers can look forward to for the interior of this crossover. So, while you have to consider that concept versions always go a bit over the top, the production model will more than likely be closely matched to what you see in the concept, especially when there is such a short amount of time to go from this concept to the true version to have it into driver’s hands by early this coming year.

Source CarScoop

Mercedes-Benz is setting a high precedence on the all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Otherwise referred to as the W222) by calling it “the best automobile in the world.” But no one can deny this large and in charge luxury sedan has left even the pickiest critics sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to get up close and personal to the newest edition to the S-Class lineup. While there has been plenty of teasing and rumors abounding, the German automaker is finally ready to start giving us all the real scoop and is starting to leak uncovered images to proudly show off all their design excellence and craftsmanship, and the promised pioneering advancements in technology. So, soon the world will be able to make up their own mind about whether this new regal looking sedan is the best in the world, or just close to it.

At this point you can forget about learning about the powertrain because that information just isn’t coming out, but if you want to know everything else about what kind of driving experience you are in store for if you choose your own pick of the litter to take home, you are in luck. While there is a whole list of particulars, the one word that describes it all is indulgent. Drivers and passengers will feel pampered in every way shape or form in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class from the best quality of materials that adorn the inside and outside of this sedan to the absolutely decadent collection of comfort features, such as massaging seats.

Gone is the traditional instrument cluster in the the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In its place are two high resolution color display screens. The one on the left gives you the image of all the classic analog gauges and the right hand screen is reserved for infotainment, comfort settings and navigation style features. With this, high tech definitely meets high luxury and this new S-Class just might be the top contender in its class.

Source Mercedes-Benz

Normally when you see a hatchback, you don’t think of performance and power, but then again, you probably aren’t thinking of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Hot Hatch. This little beast offers all the convenience of having five doors, with the power and performance that will make you forget what you are driving and start to believe you are in a sportster. How so you ask? Well, this vehicle which is designed specifically to take out the Audi RS3 competition hosts a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder. This gives you 360 horsepower and 332 pound feet of torque. These horses run through a front based all wheel drive system which delivers half the torque to the rear wheels.

The marvelous engine that does so much more than “can” in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Hot Hatch will take you from 0 to 62 in 4.6 seconds and while the estimates say this will top out at 150 miles per hour, testers found you can actually top out at 155 miles per hour. Not that you would ever need that much speed, but hey, if you can get it, why not?

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Hot Hatch comes with an available dual clutch automatic that has an AMG gear selector mounted in the center console instead of the more standard steering column devices. As far as handling? Well, this Mercedes-Benz specially tuned the electromechanical power steering and upgraded the braking system along with modifying the suspension. An electronic stability control allows drivers to switch from Sport and Off to help customize their experience.

Pricing and fuel efficiency ratings have yet to be released, but don’t look for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Hot Hatch to show up in the United States. America will have the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG to look forward to. While this isn’t a hot hatch, it is a compact that promises to offer equivalent power and performance.

It won’t be long now before some happy automaker walks away with the 2013 Car of the Year Award. This coveted award will be given away later today at the Geneva Auto Show and the finalists have all ready been chosen. The judges’ panel for this award includes 59 automotive journalists from 23 European countries. This is a European auto show after all.

Well, these judges have been haggling and voting and have narrowed their choices down to eight finalists. While we aren’t quite sure what criteria they used, we know it was a comprehensive collection of specific points to make up what that “Car of the Year” should require.

Eight Finalists for the 2013 Car of the Year Award:

• Ford B-Max
• Hyundai i30
• Mercedes A-Klasse
• Peugeot 208
• Renault Clio
• Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volvo V40.

Congratulations to these finalists. We’ll be excited to hear who the Grand Prize Winner is. In the meantime, the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show is the first one to have 10% of the 130 World and European premier autos listed as Clean. Along with these premier vehicles, there are 260 exhibitors from around 30 countries showing up in the following categories:

• Motor cars (3 or 4 wheels)
• Electric cars and alternative powered cars
• Special bodywork for motor cars, design and engineering
• Converted cars (tuners)
• Accessories and parts for motor cars
• OEM: original equipment manufacturers
• Workshop installations for the repair and maintenance of motor cars
• Animation

As you can imagine, the news will be pouring in about all the premiers, awards and other particulars from the Geneva Auto Show. So keep a close eye out so you can stay up to date on the most exciting news from the top automakers.

Congratulations Baltimore Ravens for winning Super Bowl XLVII! While many water cooler conversations will be dishing about the highlights of this exciting game, it’s the commercials that are going viral in big ways. Super Bowl ads run at around $4 million per thirty seconds of air time and the hefty pricing is one reason why General Motors bowed out this year. However, the rest of the automakers couldn’t resist getting their game on. While marketers project that these ads were seen by about 11 million people during the Super Bowl festivities, the ongoing buzz about them will assure that millions of more internet users will keep the buzz going. Just in case you missed out here is the:

Complete List of 2013 Super Bowl Car Ads

Audi “Prom”
This isn’t your average “kid goes to prom” commercial, but a good indication of the mood you’ll be in when you drive the new Audi.

Hyundai “Team”
Twisted Sister was the perfect background song for this team commercial. What kid wouldn’t want their own team to show up like that? The Hyundai Santa Fe is incidental.

Hyundai “Epic Playdate”

Find out who has the most fun, The Flaming Lips singing a catchy tune, the kids having the best fun day you could possibly dream of, or dad driving the Hyundai Santa Fe?

Toyota RAV4 “Wish Granted”

Kaley Cuoco, star of Big Bang Theory makes the best Genie ever, unless you’re “Dad”! The family taking off into space is the RAV4 model’s greatest spot in this big game day commercial

Hyundai “Stuck”

Hyundai had some big bucks to air all these commercials. “Stuck” features the Hyundai Sonata Turbo and proves why it’s good to be out front.

Volkswagen  ”Get Happy”

Volkswagen is getting some fallout for this game day commercial for being ethnically insensitive, but the reminder of “Get Happy” fits perfectly with the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle.

 

Lincoln “Phoenix 

There’s no better time to introduce the new Lincoln Motor Company or the Lincoln MKZ than in front of millions of Super Bowl Fans. It’s not a bird or a cliché’, but it looks great cruising down the road.

Jeep “America Will Be Whole Again”

Well, you know someone would have to hit the Patriotic heartbeat and what better brand other than Chrysler Jeep? This is a longer commercial that aired after the half time, but maybe Chrysler didn’t feel like shelling out the big bucks for the pricier spot.

Kia “Hotbots”

You couldn’t expect Hyundai to get all the action. Kia steps up to game day with their own commercial for the Kia Forte. While these robots are hot, they don’t put up with tire kicking.

Lincoln “Once Upon a Tweet”

Spot number two for the Lincoln and why not? Jimmy Fallon goes on a ride worth tweeting about to help kick off the brand new Lincoln Motor Company.

Ram Trucks “Farmer”

Keeping with the patriotism, albeit with a twist, Chrysler shows off their Ram Trucks with an inspiring message about farmers, from no other than Paul Harvey.

Kia “Space Babies”

Round two for Kia big game day commercials goes from futuristic robots to babies in space for their Sorento. I guess we all know where babies come from now!

Mercedes-Benz “Soul”

The Lincoln Motor Company couldn’t be the only Luxury brand during the Super Bowl. Kate Upton, Usher and Willem Dafoe show up to make a surprisingly deal for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA. Set to the tune of the Rolling Stones, this one’s worth a triple take.