Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch a new EV prototype called the EQXX to push the boundaries of EV driving range. The company claims that the EQXX will be able to go more than 620 miles on a single charge using new, more energy-dense battery technology and an aerodynamic shape to maximize efficiency. The company also stresses that it hasn't simply increased the size of the battery pack in order to increase range, promising that the pack will be offered in a compact production model in the future.


Efficiency is the ultimate goal of the EQXX, as Mercedes is aiming for it to achieve 6 miles per kWh at highway speeds, or somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 MPGe. At that rate of efficiency, the battery would still need to be larger than 100.0-kWh in order to achieve those big range numbers Benz is claiming. Preview images don't show much, but we expect the EQXX to have a highly aerodynamic shape and be low to the ground.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz's longest-range model is the EQS sedan, which claims a range of 435 miles on the European testing cycle from its 107.8-kWh battery. We don't yet have a U.S.-specific EPA range rating for the EQS, but this model is scheduled to come to our shores soon. The Tesla Model S Long Range is rated at 405 miles by the EPA, and we achieved 320 miles in our 75-mph real-world highway test.

Look for more information to come on the EQXX within the next few months as Mercedes reveals more about this experimental model.

Mercedes-Benz receives world’s first internationally valid system approval for conditionally automated driving

December 9, 2021

Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive company in the world to meet the demanding legal requirements of UN-R157 for a Level 3 system. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has granted system approval for this on the basis of the technical approval regulation UN-R157, thus paving the way for offering such a system internationally, provided that national legislation allows it. Germany has taken a pioneering role in this with the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems in 2017. This is why the first customers will be able to buy an S-Class with DRIVE PILOT in the first half of 2022, enabling them to drive in conditionally automated mode at speeds of up to 60 km/h in heavy traffic or congested situations on suitable stretches of motorway in Germany. The special DRIVE PILOT equipment takes the strain off the driver and allows him or her to perform ancillary tasks on the central display such as online shopping or processing e-mails in the in-car office. The system approval also applies to the EQS.

“For many years, we have been working to realise our vision of automated driving. With this LiDAR based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience and gives them what matters most: time. With the approval of the authorities, we have now achieved a breakthrough: We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving into series production in Germany,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Purchasing. “With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also initiating a radical paradigm shift. For the first time in 136 years of automotive history, the vehicle takes over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions. At the same time, we are pleased that Germany is continuing its pioneering role in automated driving with this approval.”

The technical approval regulation with which such a system can be certified did not come into force until the beginning of 2021. Since then, it can be implemented in Europe – an opportunity that Mercedes-Benz was quick and the first manufacturer to seize. With the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems in 2017, Germany was the first country to create a legal basis for the intended use of these systems.

Mercedes-Benz is initially offering DRIVE PILOT on 13,191 kilometres of motorway in Germany. Extensive test drives for this systems are already underway, for example in the USA and China. As soon as there is a national legal framework for conditionally automated operation in additional markets, the technology will be rolled out step by step.


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Attaching solar panels to cars sounds like a lovely idea until you look at the tangible benefits they can offer. For most applications, even on an ideally sunny day, the gains in electric range are minimal — we’re talking miles in the low single digits. However, Mercedes-Benz believes in solar panels, and will begin offering them on production EVs in 2024.

This news comes from a media conference call where Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz CTO, was speaking about the new Vision EQXX.

“So, customers probably will have the choice in the future to opt for complete glass roofs uninterrupted, or solar roofs, which are extremely aesthetically attractive, but also the benefit of putting additional energy into the battery,” Schäfer says.

If we look at Mercedes’ implementation of a solar roof in the Vision EQXX, the benefits look rather helpful. Throughout a single day in ideal conditions, Mercedes suggests the Vision EQXX’s solar panels will add up to 15.5 miles of range on long-distance journeys. For comparison’s sake, the Euro-spec Ioniq 5’s solar roof is claimed to add a little over 3 miles per day, and the Sonata Hybrid’s solar roof adds about 2 miles of electric driving power per day.



“We work with the German research institute of Fraunhofer … who co-developed with us, solar panels, a very very efficient solar panel roof which we’re putting in our vehicles, and that’s the idea with series vehicles in the future, probably starting 2024 with an increasing number of solar roofs in Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” Schäfer says.

Mercedes’ concept for using solar panels on the roof isn’t exactly what you think it might be off the bat, too. Instead of feeding the power directly into the big lithium-ion battery pack, power from the 117 solar cells on Vision EQXX’s roof is fed to and stored in a separate lithium-iron-phosphate battery. This battery supplies power to the climate blower, lights, infotainment system and other ancillaries. By using this separate battery to power those systems, you reduce the strain on the high-voltage system, thereby increasing range. That said, Mercedes says it’s also developing a solar power system that is capable of feeding the high-voltage system.

How much range a production Mercedes EV might be capable of gaining from the sun is still unknown, but we suspect the final number will be less than the 15.5 miles of the Vision EQXX. After all, not every new Mercedes-Benz EV will have a 0.17 Cd.

And because this is a Mercedes-Benz, Schäfer mentioned several times that the solar roofs themselves would be pleasing to the eye. We’ll be very interested to see what the production roofs look like and what they offer from a range standpoint.

Calling it “the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built,” MB pulled the virtual cover off its newest all-electric, wind-slippery luxury sedan concept in a virtual reveal held in lieu of a formal stage presence at CES. How efficient is it? Mercedes claims the Vision EQXX will go 1000 kilometers on a charge, or 620 miles. Even though that figure is for the normally optimistic European WLTP cycle, it should still be impressive once it’s run through our US-standard SAE mileage tests.

Those 1000 kilometers (620 miles) were achieved on public roads, too, Mercedes said, not on some hyperbaric closed course.

Through numerous innovations and efficiencies, Mercedes says the EQXX will squeeze six miles from every kWh, an extraordinary achievement if true, as right now a four-miles-per -kWh is pretty good. Those efficiencies range from a drag coefficient of 0.17 to ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires, lightweight aluminum alloy brakes, a lightweight “F1” subframe, and even ultra-thin solar panels on the roof that add 15.5 miles range by themselves.

The concept car was set to debut at CES in Las Vegas today, but after Mercedes and other carmakers pulled out of that tech show, the decision was made to post the reveal online, which is what you see here.



“The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX... answers the progressive demands of a modern generation of customers for and emotionality through innovation,” Mercedes said, not even batting an eye at the invention of the word emotionality. “Part of a far-reaching technology program, this software-defined research prototype was engineered by women and men with the creativity, ingenuity, and determination to deliver one of the planet’s most efficient cars—in every respect. They did so using the latest digital technology, the agility of a start-up and the speed of Formula 1.”

The lithium-iron-phosphate battery is less than 100 kWh, Mercedes claims, meaning the car gets 100 miles more range with more than 20 kWh less battery than the recently acclaimed Lucid Air that manages 520 miles out of its 120-kWh pack. Even the new Mercedes EQS 450+ gets “only” 350 miles EPA range (though I myself got about 417 miles range in an EQS 450+ without really trying.

For comparison, the EQXX’s super-slippery 0.17 coefficient of drag falls somewhere between that of a penguin (0.05) and an American football (0.18), according to Mercedes, proving at the same time that only Germans could come up with such a statistic. The whole EQXX you see here is said to weigh around 3850 pounds.

“The VISION EQXX demonstrates that (more electric mobility with less waste) is all within reach in a real-world vehicle that pushes the envelope on all fronts,” Mercedes said. “It gives Mercedes-Benz customers a clear insight into what premium efficiency for the electric and digital era looks like and feels like. Beautiful design and intuitive operation enhanced by advanced digital technologies deliver sustainable, long-haul electric mobility that has Mercedes-Benz written all over it.”

The 150-kW (201-hp) drivetrain achieves its performance while maintaining 95-percent efficiency, MB says.

“That means up to 95% of the energy from the battery ends up at the wheels—pure and simple. Compare that to just 30% from even the most efficient ICE drivetrain or around 50% from an average (human) long-distance runner.”

Mercedes worked with its own Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, UK, to redesign the drivetrain and reduce typical system losses.

“We worked on every part of the system to reduce energy consumption and losses through system design, material selection, lubrication and heat management,” said Eva Greiner, chief engineer of the electric drive system at Mercedes-Benz.

The electric drive unit in the Vision EQXX features a new generation of silicon carbides and runs on an unprecedented 900 volts of power. Other efficiencies include a rear track two inches narrower than the front, as well as unique aerodynamics to keep the airflow stuck to the front wheels.



Inside are door pulls made from Biosteel fiber, vegan leather mycelium fabric, Deserttex sustainable cactus-based biomaterial, as well as carpets made from 100-percent bamboo fiber.

The chassis is designed using CAE, (computer-aided design), some of which is 3D printed and some of which is cast. Chassis parts are made of MS1500 ultra-high strength martensitic steel; the doors are carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

It’s all pretty impressive, but how much of will make into a production car? Most of it, according to Benz.

"So aerodynamics will play a role," said Mercedes' chief technology officer Markus Schäfer, who pointed out that the currently available EQS offers a 0.20 cd. "Can we do more? Yes, probably than the 0.20 series vehicle, which again, is in production and is out in the markets already and complies with all five star ratings in all markets, definitely. We think there are many, many more options and levers we can pull on the aerodynamic side. Will it be a 0.17 like this vehicle (the EQXX)? Maybe not the 0.17. But probably we can get even better than the EQS. We will see active aerodynamics in future Mercedes cars coming out in '24, '25."

Schafer said that with such an efficient car you can get the same range as current cars from a smaller battery, hence the claim that the battery in the EQXX is less than 100 kWh. Charging is better, too, with the ability to gain as much as 186 miles range in just 15 minutes. The EQXX you see here is rear-wheel drive because that makes for more efficient power delivery, but a future car could also offer awd, according to Schafer, albeit with a range penalty.

"It's a modular e-motor system that can be scaled to different power outputs. You can take it up to 500 kilowatts (671 hp). So it's a scalable, modular system, very production friendly, very much scalable. Ultimately, in combination brings different options at different price points to customers."

To see those price points, and indeed the models we will see that spin off from this EQXX concept, we will have to wait until at least 2024. But it's nice to get a glance into Mercedes' more-efficient future.

With the EQXX concept, Mercedes-Benz previewed what it could potentially achieve in terms of electric vehicle efficiency. The prototype also made a bold statement for the future of the company, which wants to step up its EV game significantly. A new report even claims Mercedes wants to build its next-generation EV powertrains in-house.

Automotive News says the brand’s upcoming MMA and MB.EA electric architectures will be designed in-house and will rely on powertrains manufactured by the automaker, starting in 2024. Simply put, Mercedes wants to achieve at least the same level of in-house production as it currently maintains with its internal combustion engines.
"We want to control the overall system of electric motor, battery, and power electronics as much as possible, similar to what is the case with the combustion engine," Markus Schaefer, head of development at Daimler, told Automotive News sister publication Automobilwoche. “Until now, the electric powertrains have come from external partners."

This move will require huge investments in Daimler’s production sites, though it will probably guarantee the jobs of many people that have been concerned about potential job losses with the demise of the combustion engine. For example, Mercedes will build axial-flux electric motors in Berlin, while its Untertürkheim plant will be responsible for the radial electric motors for smaller vehicles.

"We will certainly have to discuss expanding capacity globally for the electric powertrains, because we are accelerating significantly in electromobility, and by 2025 half of our vehicles will already be on the market purely electrically or as plug-in hybrids," Schaefer added.

Currently, Mercedes relies on suppliers such as ZF for the powertrain modules of the EQC and Valeo-Siemens for the electric motors of the EQS. However, Mercedes wants to start building not only motors but also inverters for its future electric vehicles. "Whether we will then also build this ourselves has not yet been decided,” Schaefer told the German publication.

Recently, there have been a number of new patent applications filed with intellectual property offices across the globe, with a good chunk of these dedicated to new designs for steering wheels. Many of these have been extremely weird, incorporating all sorts of features that seem a little unnecessary, to say the least. Hyundai, for one, has patented a steering wheel with all the driver readouts being displayed on a screen that takes the place of spokes. But now there's another new invention, and we think it's actually pretty good. CarBuzz has discovered that a patent application filed with the German trademark office shows a Mercedes-Benz of the future fitted with a refreshing take on the steering wheel that is sure to blow you away

The filings suggest what the sketches clearly depict: a steering wheel that can blow air through the 'pot' of the steering wheel. Basically, this means that Mercedes wants to channel an air duct towards an opening somewhere behind the steering wheel. This would then disperse air through the pot, or inside 'bowl' of the steering wheel (likely from a point near the center of the hub) through "air-permeable surfaces" or materials. The simplest way to describe this would be to imagine the kind of airflow you get from a ventilated seat, only now it's coming from your steering wheel. As an added bonus, this setup could also heat the air, so you could have the best of both worlds in one option

Mercedes-Benz has also considered the effect that a climate control system may have, and would temper the airflow and temperature in such a manner that you never discern a clear change in temperature through your hands.

Another possibility is that the system could be adjusted manually, just as your air-conditioning vents in your car are. In this example, a simple lever would control flaps and vanes, so you could decide when you want it to work with no more effort than flicking a switch.

Finally, the automaker has included various possible ways of adjusting the airflow of its invention, giving a driver the opportunity to have targeted air aimed at a small area or spread out over a larger one. For example, cool air blowing directly onto your sweaty palms or all over your upper body.

Of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class chauffeur of the future would not be seen dead touching a manual lever, so if it ever makes production, we think Merc will opt to fit controls on the steering wheel itself

Mercedes has rolled out its Drive Pilot system in two of its models in Germany, kicking off sales of its SAE Level 3 system that is expected to pose a serious challenge to Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, which are both considered SAE Level 2 systems. Drive Pilot will offer users the ability to take their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel for prolonged periods of time, allowing them to read, text, or watch videos, until the system signals the driver to reassume control.

At the moment the Level 3 system is confined to certain roads in Germany, and a top speed of 60 kph, or 37 mph, which means it's currently restricted to situations with slow-moving traffic, but its functionality is expected to be expanded in the future. The automaker is currently working on certification in the states of California and Nevada."Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to put a Level 3 system with international valid certification into series production," said Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, responsible for marketing and sales. "As a first step, we are offering this world-leading technology in Germany in the S-Class and the EQS. At the same time, we also want to receive certification in the US by the end of the year."

Drive Pilot relies on radar, Lidar, cameras, ultrasound sensors, and moisture sensors to orient itself on the road, with Mercedes having taken the approach of employing several different kinds of sensors, as opposed to Tesla, which is moving in the direction of relying on cameras alone to provide driver-assist functions. Mercedes' Drive Pilot also relies on a three-dimensional HD map, calculated down to the centimeter, which is stored in backend data centers and is constantly updated.

"Responsible handling of future technologies such as conditional automated driving is the key to acceptance among customers and in society. With Drive Pilot, we have developed an innovative technology that, thanks to redundancies with many sensors, enables safe operation and gives the valuable asset 'time' back to the customer," Seeger adds.

The Drive Pilot will permit drivers to not monitor the road at all times, but be ready to reassume control when the system requests. In Germany, Drive Pilot will be offered in the S-Class at a price of €5000, or about $5270, and in the electric EQS flagship at a price of €7430, or about $7830.

Mercedes' rollout of Drive Pilot in Germany makes its one of the earliest Level 3 systems to arrive on the market, after Honda's own Level 3 system launched in Japan just over a year ago in the Legend sedan. A number of other automakers, including Polestar, are also getting ready for the launch of their own Level 3 systems.

It remains to be seen in just how many US states Mercedes will be able to offer Drive Pilot, and at up to what speeds, when the system arrives. The ability of drivers to use the system in the US is expected to be governed on a state-by-state basis, complicating matters somewhat, so the arrival of Drive Pilot will by no means be a nationwide launch. But it will be an important step for Mercedes, just as several automakers are getting ready to offer Level 3 functionality in several luxury models.

In a bid to become "the world's most valuable luxury car brand," Mercedes is overhauling its product portfolio by splitting models into three categories: Entry Luxury, Core Luxury, and Top-End Luxury. There will be considerably less focus on compact cars going forward as the plan calls for more than 75 percent of investments to be made in the bigger and more expensive vehicles, which we all know have higher profit margins.

To that end, the German automaker will cut down on the number of Entry Luxury model variants from seven to four. However, Mercedes doesn't go into details about which compact vehicles are facing the proverbial axe. We'll remind you the three-pointed star sells the following small cars: A-Class hatchback, A-Class sedan, B-Class minivan, CLA swoopy sedan, CLA Shooting Brake wagon, and the GLA and GLB crossovers.

Mercedes has more news to share about Entry Luxury by announcing it will launch the first electric model on the dedicated MMA platform in 2024. The zero-emissions vehicle will also usher in the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) as part of the automaker’s tech push. It’s apparently what people shopping in this class want: "These changes will reposition Mercedes-Benz in the segment, honing in more precisely on the wishes of discerning customers."

Elsewhere, Core Luxury will bundle the C-Class and E-Class models with their derivatives. The German premium brand confirms the latter will transition to the next-generation model in 2023 to join the EVA2-based EQE and EQE SUV. Using the same electric car underpinnings, Mercedes plans to launch an additional model specifically developed for the Chinese market.

As for the Top-End Luxury category, it's going to encompass all products from the AMG and Maybach divisions, along with the S-Class, G-Class, and the GLS. These will sit alongside the EQS and EQS SUV as well as "limited edition models and exclusive collaboration vehicles." Ideally, Mercedes aims to boost sales of Top-End cars by approximately 60 percent by 2026 compared to 2019. In the meantime, it’s targeting an operating margin of around 14 percent by the middle of the decade.

Arriving later today, the AMG Vision concept will preview a bespoke platform dubbed AMG.EA for electric sports cars debuting in 2025. On the Maybach side, the EQS SUV carrying the double M logo will hit the market in 2023. Interestingly, Mercedes is confirming a Maybach SL is in the works. As for the G-Class, the EQG arriving in 2024 will be the firm’s first EV to use a higher-density battery pack thanks to silicon anode chemistry.

In related news, the newly created "MYTHOS Series" will consist of limited-run special cars that will be sold strictly "to the most dedicated enthusiasts and collectors of Mercedes-Benz." The company goes as far as to say each model will have its place alongside the "historical pantheon of greats."

Mercedes-Benz will launch the ultra-luxurious Mythos Series sub-brand that will sit above the already opulent Maybach nameplate. During its Economics of Desire strategy update, the automaker showed an image of an SL Speedster as a future product from the new marque.

Mythos Series models will be very low-volume. This vehicle "will be made available exclusively to the most dedicated enthusiasts and collectors of Mercedes-Benz," the automaker wrote in a statement announcing the sub-brand. The company isn't saying when the first of these products arrives.

The teaser image shows the SL in profile with only the upper portion of the vehicle visible. Nacelles are visible behind the seats, and this is the only obvious styling tweak, judging by what we can see.

During the Economics of Desire presentation, Mercedes also announced an expansion of the Maybach brand. This will include a luxurious variant of the SL. Plus, the marque will also launch a version of the EQS SUV in 2023.

Maybach recently showed the ultra-opulent Haute Voiture concept based on the S-Class. It features a two-tone paint scheme with a rose gold lower section and a nautical blue upper area. Things are really special inside where it has bouclé fabric in blue, beige, and rose gold on the door panels and on portions of the seats. Fluffy white faux fur covers the floor mats. Rose gold trim on the door trim and dashboard adds even more opulence.

A limited-run production version of the Haute Voiture is coming in early 2023. Pricing is expected to be well in excess of $200,000.

The writing has been on the wall for the manual gearbox for some time, but Mercedes just put another nail in the MT's coffin. From 2023, the clutch pedal will be gradually phased out due to low customer demand. Speaking with German publication Automobilwoche, a spokesperson for the three-pointed star argued buyers' tastes have changed as more and more people prefer purely electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Of course, it's also more cost-effective for Mercedes by not having to invest in manual gearboxes anymore. Not that it's widely available now considering only certain versions of the A-Class, B-Class, and CLA still come with a three-pedal setup. Specifically, the more affordable configurations with the lesser engines, which are not available in many markets, with the United States being a relevant example.

In October 2020, Mercedes' R&D boss Marcus Schaeffer warned us about the luxury brand's plan to "eliminate manual transmissions," so the new announcement doesn't come as a big surprise. Take for example the latest C-Class (W206), which is an automatic-only affair.

Mercedes has already announced it will be ready to offer an EV-only portfolio by the end of the decade "where market conditions allow." Before that happens, new models powered by combustion engines will actually be based on platforms primarily developed for electric vehicles. It's a 180-degree change compared to the strategy used for the EQA, EQB, and EQC crossovers as these three have their roots in ICE architectures.

While Mercedes is bidding adieu to the do-it-yourself gearbox, archrival BMW still allows drivers to row their own gears in the base M3 and M4. The recently teased M2 (G87) will also have a clutch pedal, while lowly models such as the 1 Series are available for the time being with a manual in some markets.

CATL announced it would build its second factory in Europe. With the first one being in Germany, the company decided it should have another in Hungary. The first manufacturer to receive them will be Mercedes-Benz, but there will be plenty for everyone: CATL said the plant would have a 100-GWh capacity.
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The new battery plant will b built in an area of 221 hectares (546.1 acres) in the Southern Industrial Park of Debrecen, pretty close to plants from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen. It would not surprise us if the other three also decided to buy cells from the new CATL factory. They may even already have signed contracts for that. Curiously, that means that the first

CATL will invest €7.34 billion ($7,48 billion at the current exchange rate) in the new facility. Part of the investment may be in a solar power plant, which the Chinese battery maker is studying with local companies. Regardless of that moving forward or not, CATL is committed to using energy from renewable sources. We are just not sure if all of the power will come from these sources or just part of it because CATL just said that it “will use electricity from renewable energies,” which can be true if only 1% comes from something other than fossil fuels.

CATL also said it would try to make battery materials in Europe to “build a sustainable and circular battery value chain.” That is probably anticipating what the U.S. is doing with the Inflation Reduction Act. If Europe decides to restrict EV sales to vehicles made in Europe or those with locally-sourced battery materials, anything powered by CATL’s products will already comply with the rules.

As we have discussed, that is probably not going to happen in Europe because it would be an easy target at the World Trade Organization (WTO). After the European Commission said it would protest against the new American law, it would be massively incoherent to do the same. At best, it could turn into a response if WTO does not punish the U.S. for restricting the new federal tax credit to products made in North America.

The Mercedes-Benz booth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a bunch of new technology that the German brand is preparing for the following months.The biggest piece of news was the company’s plan to build its own, $1-billion global network of fast chargers, but another interesting story sort of went under the radar, and it’s about Mercedes-Benz becoming the first automaker to offer certified Level 3 self-driving technology in the United States.

Back in 2022, the German marque began selling its top-tier autonomous driving system dubbed Drive Pilot in Germany, after receiving the first-ever certificate of compliance for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

Now, during CES 2023, Mercedes announced that its Drive Pilot system has been approved by the state of Nevada and it’s waiting for the American state to issue the official certificate of compliance, which should happen “within the two weeks,” according to the company’s press release.

But that’s not all. When the German carmaker applied for certification in Nevada, it also did the same thing in California, and it’s “optimistic” that the Golden State will “follow soon”.

Mercedes’ Level 3 conditionally automated driving assistant can, on suitable highway sections and where traffic density is high, offer to take over the driving, leaving the driver free to do something else, like watch a movie or participate in a meeting.

Another feature that’s coming to North America is Automatic Lane Change (ALC), which enables the car to automatically initiate a lane change and overtake slower vehicles with the cruise control system. It can also make automatic lane changes to help follow route guidance when approaching exit ramps or freeway junctions.

ALC will be part of Mercedes’ current Level 2 partially automated driving suite that’s available in the United States.

According to the SAE levels of driving automation, a Level 3-capable vehicle can take over certain driving tasks, but a driver is still required to be present and ready to take control of the car at all times when prompted to intervene. Currently, Drive Pilot is available in Europe on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS sedans.

Nevada has become the first US state to certify Mercedes-Benz and its Level 3 conditionally automated driving system. Mercedes is the first automaker to bring that level of autonomous driving to the US, offering its Drive Pilot technology in select vehicles.

The system takes over driving the vehicle, allowing the driver to focus on secondary activities. Drive Pilot functions on suitable freeways with high traffic density at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour). Control buttons on the steering wheel rim indicate when the system is operational, and the driver only has to press them to engage it. Drive Pilot can control the car’s speed and distance, guiding it in its lane while taking evasive maneuvers in reaction to unexpected traffic situations.

Mercedes packs the car with sensors, building off the company’s Driving Assistance Package to create Drive Pilot. Vehicles with the technology have a rear-window camera and microphones to detect emergency vehicles and a road wetness sensor in the wheel well. Mercedes also uses LiDAR to keep the car where it needs to be. The company installs redundant steering and braking actuators and a redundant onboard electric system to ensure safe handover to the driver.
The system features a fail-safe if the driver fails to heed the system’s prompts to retake vehicle control. If this happens, the vehicle will apply the brakes, engage the warning hazard lights, unlock the doors, and activate the emergency call system once the car stops.Another feature of the Drive Pilot system is its high-precision positioning system, which Mercedes says is more powerful than conventional GPS. The map’s accuracy is measured in centimeters instead of meters like regular navigation systems, providing a three-dimensional image of the road and its surroundings with road geometry information also available. Mercedes stores the map in a data center, which is accessible by its vehicles and allows for accurate positioning.

Mercedes will offer Drive Pilot in the 2024 S-Class and EQS sedan, delivering the first cars to customers in the second half of 2023. The company hopes to expand Drive Pilot usage to California soon as it has already filed certification documents with the state.

Mercedes is on the verge of significantly reshuffling its lineup, and during this process, lots of vehicles will be killed, starting with wagons, which are no longer profitable, to coupes. To put it this way, only 14 of the 33 body styles will survive the killing spree.

Part of their long-term strategic plan, announced in May 2022, the decision is pretty much based on finances, as the company wants to become even more profitable. Back then, they didn’t go into specifics, but more recently, Car&Driver learned more details about the models that will be phased off.

Citing “several top managers,” they state that among the vehicles that will be killed are the coupe and convertible versions of the C-Class and E-Class. That’s no surprise, honestly, as the CLE Coupe and CLE Convertible will take on. One surprising move, however, is the demise of the CLS, which is said to be dropped altogether in 2024. The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe will reportedly follow shortly after, which means that the more upscale proposal to the CLS, featuring the same underpinnings, but a different body, will only live a single generation.

Another very surprising move, one that probably no one outside the Stuttgart brand saw coming, is the killing of crossover coupes. The death knell is understood to sound for the GLC Coupe and GLE Coupe after the next generations arrive in the coming years, meaning that Mercedes will be left without contenders to the likes of the BMW X4 and X6. It should be interesting to see whether they will be simply discontinued, with no successors in the pipeline, or if they will be indirectly replaced by zero-emission models, with similar proportions and body styles, and different names.

Wagons and Shooting Brakes are on the death list too, with the quoted outlet stating that the five-door C-Class will be retired after 2028, the next-gen E-Class, expected in a few months, being the last of its kind to offer an Estate body style. The third-gen CLA, reportedly due in 2025, is going electric and will offer the last Shooting Brake derivative.

“At the end of the day, we simply don’t need estate cars or underperforming two-door offerings to boost volumes,” a senior member of the brand’s strategy team told C&D. “The most essential elements of sustainable contemporary luxury cars are space and time. That’s our number one priority – not another fancy body style, a model that only works in Europe, or one last stab at a dying segment.”

On a more positive note, there are some hot cars in the making, including the new Mercedes-AMG GT, which will share its nuts and bolts with the latest SL and will spawn a Maybach version. A new four-door coupe is believed to launch in 2026, alongside the next-gen SL said to offer more room for backseat occupants and a more generous cargo area. The GLG, described as “a chunky SUV,” should premiere in 2026, with EV power, built on the MMA platform, alongside a G-Class pickup, a speedster based on the SL, and a reincarnation of the iconic Gullwing.

There will be a “greater focus” on models made by AMG and Maybach, as well as the obvious emphasis on electric vehicles, with bigger batteries and improved range, up to 500 miles (805 km) on the WLTP cycle in Europe, C&D reports.

lots of vehicles will be killed, starting with wagons

​​​​​​​the killing of crossover coupes

According to Germany's Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz is said to be working on a miniature G-Class that is due in 2026.

Insiders have told the news agency that the automaker has plans to bring a smaller version of the off-roader to market by 2026. The newcomer is expected to be slightly shorter than the 189.7-inch G-Class and sport a far shorter roofline than the 77.5-inch tall status symbol.

The vehicle is expected to be a standalone model (as opposed to a sub-model of the G-Class) that may be called the GLG-Class. It will reportedly use the upcoming MMA vehicle architecture. The platform will arrive in 2024, with the new CLA-Class being the first vehicle to use it.

Mercedes has previously said the new platform will be reserved for smaller models, suggesting that the new baby SUV will join the GLA and CLA on the lower rungs of the Benz ladder.

The new Mercedes will arrive with a choice of gas-powered and electric setups, giving buyers in different regions more options. Currently, the G-Class is only available with a combustion engine, but an all-electric EQG will arrive in 2024.

Reports indicate the smaller off-roader will provide more than 310 miles of range on a single charge. Fast-charging capabilities come courtesy of the 800-volt architecture, ensuring future customers won't have to hang around and wait while their batteries charge.

Sources told the German publication that Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius is the driving force behind this new model. The chief executive believes a more compact version of the iconic G-Class is an essential part of the brand's success. Despite eye-watering prices, the iconic SUV remains one of the most in-demand Mercedes products.

Interestingly, news of the miniature Gelandewagen comes just weeks after Mercedes-Benz announced it would drastically reduce its lineup and cut an array of models, including wagons, coupe-style SUVs, and niche products like the CLS.

We will have to wait and see what the final product looks like, but we're guessing it will adopt many of the G's styling cues. After all, that is what people love most about the Austrian-built luxury off-roader. While this is purely speculation, we wouldn't be surprised to see a GLB-Class-sized SUV that is more at home on rougher terrain.

If Mercedes can introduce a smaller SUV that provides all the G-Class style and capability for half the price, it will have a winner on its hands. It will be important not to dilute the G-Class brand, though, as it remains one of the world's most desirable vehicles.

With EVs increasingly reliant on software, automakers are trying to extract more money from their customers via a highly unwanted feature: unlockable performance. For instance, Mercedes-Benz announced that a performance acceleration in-demand upgrade is available for EQE and EQS customers via an OTA (over-th
e-air) update.
Most people see it for what it truly is – a money-making scheme. It's not like Mercedes is actually changing or adding any components to make the car faster. It's all done through code and software; you won't need to visit a dealership. Instead, you only need an internet connection to access the brand's store. Unfortunately, this trend will probably become even more popular in the car industry, as we've already seen in other EVs, such as the Kia EV9. Furthermore, BMW offers heated seats on a monthly subscription.

Mercedes-Benz not only provides the update as a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, but it can also be acquired via a monthly or yearly subscription. Imagine hopping in your car one day and forgetting to pay the subscription – you'll have to either pay up or get used to a less powerful machine.

The update is available for EQE 350 4MATIC, EQS 450 4MATIC Sedan, and SUV customers in North America. It boosts the vehicle's power by up to 80 hp while enhancing 0-60 mph (97 kph) acceleration by as much as a second. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz claims that the enhancements will have no impact on the EV's range.

Specifically, the eligible EQE models will have increased output from 288 hp to 348 hp. The SUV variant will be one full second faster (total 5.1 seconds) to get to 60 mph from a standstill, while the Sedan will be 0.1 seconds slower. Moreover, select EQS models will get an 80 hp upgrade for a total output of 235 hp. The Sedan version will have a 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds, while the SUV will be 0.4 seconds slower.

Let's take a look at pricing. For the EQE, customers looking to benefit from additional power will have to pay $60 for the extra 60 horsepower based on the monthly subscription, $600 for the yearly one, or a one-time fee of $1,950, ensuring they'll have the upgrade for the entire lifetime of the vehicle. EQS owners will have to empty more out of their bank account - $90 per month, $900 a year, or $2,950 for the lifetime unlock.

Customers must access the Mercedes me Connect store to purchase the upgrades. That's also where they can discover other various On-Demand improvements, such as Remote Engine Start, AMG Track Pace, Beginner Driver and Valet Service Modes, Navigation features, and more. Mercedes-Benz said that "Hardwired, standard features, such as heated seats, will not be offered as digital extras" but plans on adding more offerings in its store in the following months.

...Most people see it for what it truly is – a money-making scheme. It's not like Mercedes is actually changing or adding any components to make the car faster. It's all done through code and software; you won't need to visit a dealership. Instead, you only need an internet connection to access the brand's store. Unfortunately, this trend will probably become even more popular in the car industry, as we've already seen in other EVs, such as the Kia EV9. Furthermore, BMW offers heated seats on a monthly subscription.
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