2007 Mercedes-Benz S550

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 flagship sedan is one of the most technologically advanced luxury cars, with adventuresome but controversial styling never found on its predecessors.

So what's with the styling, which highlights items such as rakish, heavily flare wheel arches? Well, being a German automaker, Mercedes doesn't put extraneous items on cars; the flares are there to accommodate the S550's huge tires.

But Mercedes knows that Lexus and other rivals will be introducing more rakish looking autos and wants its S550 and companion S-Class models to be competitive years from now.

New Direction
The last S-Class was lightened and made smaller and less physically impressive because its predecessor was criticized for being too big and heavy. This time around, Mercedes said to heck with conservative styling with its ninth-generation S-Class, sold as a very early 2007 model.

The new Mercedes also has a larger, more impressive grille and a bolder, sleeker profile. Mercedes spokesman Rob Moran said the new car has "done well in consumer clinics." It looks as imposing as the old large, conservatively styled S-Class cars, which were developed by Mercedes engineers, with no marketing department interference.

Grand Tradition
Mercedes waits a long time before introducing a new S-Class, which is the top-line Mercedes sedan and coupe and has embodied the brand's flagship role for more than five decades. The S550 will be joined later this year by several companion models, including one with a turbocharged 520-horsepower V12 engine.

The V12 model seems superfluous because the S550's new-generation 382-horsepower V8 is so smooth it can't be heard when it's idling and provides vivid acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds) despite the car's size and 4,270-pound weight. But then, the rival BMW 7-Series sedan is offered with a V12, and Mercedes can't take a back seat to competitors.

The entirely new $85,400 S-Class is about 1 1/2 inches longer, a half inch wider and about an inch taller than its predecessor. While larger, roomier and more powerful, Mercedes says it's about $2,500 less expensive on an equipment-adjusted basis.

Futuristic Features
This new Mercedes is offered with a bunch of futuristic electronic features, which isn't surprising because the venerable S-Class has pioneered major safety and comfort features for the auto industry, including the first anti-lock brakes and stability control system.

One such feature new is the Distronic Plus, which allows the Mercedes to virtually drive itself—something no other auto can do.

Distronic Plus not only automatically keeps the S550 a safe distance from the car ahead during highway driving, it also lets you drive a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic—without using your feet.

The car accelerates, slows and brakes by itself—to a complete stop if necessary while following the vehicle ahead.. It then automatically picks up speed again after a full stop if you tap the accelerator pedal or a control stalk. (Mercedes feared some drivers would be alarmed if the S550 picked up speed by itself after a total stop without some driver input.)

Easy Parallel Parking
A radar-based Park Assist feature lets you parallel park the S550 by watching red, yellow and blue lines on a dashboard screen without even looking at the vehicles between which you want to park the big Mercedes next to a curb. The lines, or "hash marks," project where the car will go with any given steering input.

That feature makes parallel parking (not even taught anymore in some high school driving courses) easy for most folks for the first time in history. However, it really must be used a few times to fully trust it and not be concerned about scratching expensive paint.

Side bolsters in the large front heated and cooled seats quickly and silently move over to better hold you in place during cornering, then move back to their regular positions. It's as if a giant hand gently kept you in place.

Safer Night Driving
Then there's the new Infra-Red Night View Assist option that can extend the driver's ability to see ahead to nearly 500 feet during dark night driving, using a screen that gives a clear image.

The S550 V8 works with a 7-speed automatic transmission, which enhances acceleration and fuel economy while providing seamless shifting.

Unlike most luxury car transmissions, which usually have five or six speeds, the S550 automatic can skip up to three gear ratios if necessary when it downshifts, moving directly from seventh to fifth gear, or even from sixth to second gear. The transmission has a manual shift feature, but it hardly seems necessary to use it.

Estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg in the city and 24 on highways.

Sumptuous Interior
The S550 has an enormous, leather-swathed interior, with genuine wood and chrome trim. The rear-seat area is limousine-like, and ambient lighting emits a soft glow under the dashboard and carries through the doors at night to make the interior more soothing.

The trunk is large, with a moderately high opening.

The small steering-column-mounted "Direct Select" shift lever is pushed down to put the transmission in neutral or drive modes and lifted up a bit for reverse. A button is pushed on the end of the lever to get park mode. It's simple to use and frees up the console area by eliminating a conventional, much larger shifter. But the lever must be moved precisely, or you'll end up in the wrong gear.

Window Switch Problem
Power window switches are set so flush and close together that I couldn't operate them without looking. Otherwise, I was likely to lower a rear window when I wanted a front one down.

Using Mercedes' Command system involves twisting a console mounted controller and following menus on a dashboard screen to do such things as adjust radio stations, climate conditions and seat positions. It's among the easiest such systems to use, and there's a row of buttons near the dashboard if you don't want to bother with the system to adjust, say, the automatic climate control.

The S550 naturally is loaded with standard equipment, including a killer 14-speaker Harman/Kardon surround-sound audio system, which took five years to develop for Mercedes. However, there also are attractive, pricey options that may be hard to turn down.

Satisfying to Drive
So what's it like to drive this latest flagship Mercedes? Steering is a little heavy, but precise. The brakes are extraordinary, with good pedal feel. And handling is sold, although the emphasis is on luxury, not sport. The air suspension provides an incredibly smooth ride over all types of roads, I found while driving the car over a wide range of roads through Arizona's mountains and desert terrain during a media preview.

The S550 is a welcome return to the grand old Mercedes S-Class models, despite its bold styling and futuristic features. It makes you feel fairly affluent just sitting in it, and even more affluent when behind the wheel.

source: Dan Jedlicka from autos.msn.com


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Lexus LS 600hL

Lexus LS 600hL


The world's most powerful hybrid - the Lexus LS 600hL - will go on sale in the UK next July, the company has announced.

Featuring a 5.0-litre V8 with a large electric motor, the hi-tech saloon develops 443bhp but returns around 29.7mpg - better than a V8 petrol model. Prices and specs are to be confirmed.

source: autoexpress.co.uk

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Volkswagen Scirocco

VW Scirocco

A legend is returning! Volkswagen's amazing IROC concept car will be called the Scirocco when it goes on sale in two years' time, resurrecting a badge not seen since 1993.

"It now seems that we will be using the Scirocco name," confirmed a spokeswoman for the firm at the Paris Motor Show. Due in 2008, the new model will be based on underpinnings from the Eos convertible.

But while the UK will be getting the stunning coupé, British buyers won't be given the chance to try VW's latest arrival - the CrossGolf. Based on the popular hatchback and featuring a raised ride height, beefed-up bumpers and a rugged look, the two-wheel-drive crossover is currently deemed by bosses to be "inappropriate" for the UK market.
source: autoexpress.co.uk


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Vauxhall Corsa SRi

Vauxhall Corsa SRi
These first official pictures show how Vauxhall's latest supermini transforms into a feisty, affordable hot hatch


Corsavan study, wearing Opel badging, reveals sharp lines of sporty SRi version of new supermini. Power comes from a 150bhp 1.6-litre turbo motor.

And while this model has been converted into a van with blacked-out rear windows and no seats in the back, it's more than simply a commercial Corsa.

Instead, it gives a clear glimpse of the 'warm' SRi variant, which will become the understudy to the full-strength VXR hot hatch launched next year.

While the range-topper is yet to be revealed, it has already been spied without any disguise by Auto Express in Issue 925. The 197bhp flagship will be a real thriller, but costly insurance and fuel bills are likely to deter some buyers.

That's where the new SRi variant showcased here steps in. It will be powered by a detuned 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers a more manageable 150bhp to the front wheels. As a result, premiums will be lower and younger drivers will get the chance to own a sporty Corsa.

With large 17-inch alloys, red brake calipers and a new front bumper, side sills and rear spoiler, the SRi will have more visual impact than the standard model.

Officially called the Corsavan Concept, and set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show this week, the new workhorse is trimmed with a black leather interior featuring figure-hugging sports seats. When the production version of the SRi appears next summer, it will come with a full five-seat cabin and be available with both three and five doors. And Vauxhall is keen to remain competitive with rivals, so the SRi will be priced from £13,000, while the VXR range-topper will cost around £15,600, pitching it against the Renault­sport Clio 197. Even though the newly developed Corsa chassis is more than capable of coping with 150bhp, ESP is expected to come as standard on the SRi, while other desirable extras include adaptive headlamps, which move with the steering.

For those who want even cheaper sporty Corsa motoring, a diesel SRi model is also set to join the range, using the 1.7-litre oil-burner found in lesser versions. However, it's unlikely a diesel Corsa VXR will ever be produced. Even if your budget can't stretch to an SRi version, there is another way to get hold of a sporty-looking Corsa. Buyers of any model in the range can specify the bodykit featured on the Corsavan Concept. Prices for the add-ons have yet to be announced.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk


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Audi Q7 V12

Audi Q7 V12

Audi's storming new Q7 V12 will make its debut at next year's Detroit Auto Show. The firm has shoe-horned a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 under the bonnet of the range-topping 4x4, boasting 493bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.

Performance promises to be equally impressive, with a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. The new SUV gets the same high-powered brakes as used on Audi's sporting S6 and S8 models.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk

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Paris 2006

Paris Motor Show - September 30 to October 15

The Paris Motor Show, properly known as the Mondial de l’Automobile, can trace its history way back to 1898, when the automobile was still in short pants and pioneer French manufacturer Comte Albert de Dion organised a show for the new sensations of the age in the Tuileries Gardens - right alongside the River Seine and next door to the art treasures of the Louvre.

Ever since, the Paris Salon as it came to be known, or Mondial as it’s been since 1988, has featured plenty of treasures of its own, and become one of those shows where every two years manufacturers just love to unleash world debuts on crowds who have come to expect the best.

When they open the doors to the public on 30 September, they’ll be looking to break the record set by the last show, in 2004, when 1,460,803 visitors crowded through the doors – making Paris the most popular automobile show in the western world. And two years ago, across the whole spread of automobiles, accessory makers, technology specialists and the rest, they hosted some 500 exhibiting brands from 30 countries, and the automobile halls saw more than 60 world model premieres.

So the Mondial is big, but it’s getting even bigger, and this year the main, automobile exhibits will sprawl across four halls rather than three, with stand space up from 55,000 to 63,000 square meters, more than 20km of aisles, and exhibitors from around the world. General Motors, for instance, has a hall virtually to itself, the Chrysler Group will have around 30 cars under the floodlights, including a first modern appearance for the Dodge badge in Paris, and the Great Wall and Landwind brands from China give the Mondial an even wider reach. This time they say there will be 374 brands from 26 countries – including 233 from France, and in a slightly distant second place 26 from the USA, with 25 from Japan, 21 from Germany, 15 from Italy and nine from the UK filling the next slots. And just to underline the international label, some of the other countries represented this year include Brazil, India, Iran, Korea, Russia and Turkey.

Source: autos.msn.com

Audi S8

The Audi S8 is an engineering marvel, but the overall package may leave drivers wanting more.

It's the ultimate recipe for fun... Take one of the finest luxury saloons money can buy, add the beating heart of a thrilling supercar and stand well back. Although it sounds like a fantasy, the Audi S8 combines the above ingredients – and it has just arrived in the UK.

Based on the aluminium A8 and powered by a mighty V10 engine which originally debuted in Lamborghini’s Gallardo, the 444bhp machine rivals the likes of the new Mercedes S63 AMG.

On the road, the result is breathtaking. It’s as if the S8 wants to prove that it is every inch the super-saloon everyone knows it should be – even the gentlest dab of the throttle sends nearly two tonnes of luxury limo hurtling forwards. The drama is accompan­ied by a truly intoxicating soundtrack from under the bonnet.

Official figures claim 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds, and the Audi feels every bit as fast in day-to-day driving conditions. The trouble is, the acceleration is so thrilling that the rest of the car feels like a bit of a letdown.

We can’t fault the imposing styling, unique alloys or beautifully crafted cabin, but the S8 is an enormous machine and it simply hasn’t got the agility to match its performance. With the air-suspension in dynamic mode, the ride is uncomfortably hard, while the steering lacks the feel of a true sports saloon.

At £70,825, the big-hitting Audi isn’t cheap, but it will still undercut flagship versions of Mercedes’ AMG-tuned S-Class. However, less potent A8 models offer a better overall package.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk

10 High-Tech Gadgets

Here, we look at 10 of the latest auto technologies that are either already on the road or coming soon. As with most leading-edge features, the majority of these are now available only in higher-priced luxury models, and even then are often expensive options. But, as we've seen with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and navigation systems, we can expect many to eventually trickle down to mainstream cars. Meanwhile, stay tuned; more are coming all the time.

A car that parks itself

Drivers who find it challenging to parallel park will appreciate Lexus's new Intelligent Park Assist system, an option on the redesigned LS models due in fall 2006. Already available on the Toyota Prius sold in other markets, this system will enable a driver to pull up to an available parking space, press a button, and essentially sit back. The car will then maneuver itself into the space. All the driver needs to do, according to Lexus, is apply a little braking pressure. Unfortunately, the system can't find a parking space for you.

Keeping an eye on blind spots

Many accidents occur when a driver tries to change lanes on a highway without being aware that a vehicle is in his "blind spot." For 2007, Audi and Volvo are addressing this dilemma with two systems that can detect vehicles that a driver might not see on either side of his car. Both systems use LED displays near each outside rearview mirror to warn a driver that he shouldn't attempt a lane change because a vehicle is in or is rapidly approaching a car's blind spot. Audi's Side Assist system, which made its debut in the new 2007 Q7 SUV, uses radar to detect other vehicles. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, available on the new S80 sedan this fall, uses cameras.

The next step in precollision systems

A precollision system is one that can sense a collision before it happens and automatically take actions to maximize the safety of a car's occupants. These systems work in different ways, depending on the automaker. Several manufacturers, for example, offer systems that use radar to detect vehicles in front and an alarm and warning lights to alert drivers of a potential crash. If the driver does not respond quickly enough, the system can take preventive steps such as applying brakes, closing windows, adjusting seat positions for optimal air-bag effectiveness, and activating safety-belt pretensioners.

Lexus is about to take the technology a step further in spring 2007, when it introduces its Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) in the top-of-the-line LS series. This system is the first that can detect pedestrians and animals as well as vehicles, potentially helping a driver avoid hitting a person in the road. Two small cameras mounted to the front of the vehicle provide a detection capability that the carmaker says radar alone cannot deliver. APCS also uses a third camera, mounted on the steering column and focused on the driver's face. If the system sees the driver is not looking ahead and senses a high probability of impact, it will first warn the driver with a chime and a flashing light. It can then apply gentle braking pressure, cinch down the safety belts, reprogram the steering for faster response, and prepare the braking system to apply full pressure as soon as the driver presses the pedal.

Cruise control that goes—or stops—with the flow

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which is offered by several automakers, takes conventional cruise control an extra step. In addition to maintaining a set speed on the highway, it can also automatically maintain a safe distance between the vehicle it's in and one in front. It does this by using radar to monitor the presence of vehicles in front and automatically operate the brakes or throttle to slow or accelerate the car as needed.

A more advanced version of ACC in the 2007 Audi Q7 SUV works in stop-and-go situations, as well as on the highway. According to Audi, it can automatically bring the car to a complete halt when needed and accelerate to highway speeds as conditions permit. This has the potential to significantly expand the usability of the system. If the vehicle is stopped for more than three seconds, however, cruise control is disengaged until the driver presses the reset control. The new Mercedes S-Class offers a similar system.

Next-generation night vision

BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz are introducing updated versions of the Night Vision system initially offered by Cadillac. The systems allow a driver to see objects and people beyond the reach of a vehicle's headlights, and they use infrared technology to sense heat from people, animals, stopped vehicles, and so on up to several hundred feet ahead of the car.

The BMW and Mercedes systems display images on a dashboard screen in the vehicle, and the Lexus system projects images on the lower part of the windshield. When we tested Cadillac's now-discontinued Night Vision feature in the 2000 DeVille, we found that it can be handy in some driving situations—particularly on flat, straight roads—but the images were grainy, and some drivers found it distracting. These updated systems claim to have better resolution and greater range.

Cleaner diesels

Diesel cars typically get about 30 percent better fuel economy than a similar gasoline-powered car. But because they emit more nitrogen-oxide and particulate emissions, they aren't sold in some states with tight clean-air regulations. Mercedes-Benz, however, recently announced a new line of diesel engines, called BlueTec, that promise to deliver cleaner emissions than existing diesels. By using an oxidizing catalytic converter and other technologies to significantly reduce diesel emissions, the automaker claims that BlueTec engines will be clean enough to be sold in all 50 states and virtually all markets worldwide. To achieve this, BlueTec requires the use of new low-sulfur diesel fuel, due to be phased in to the U.S. market this year. The first model using BlueTec engines will be the freshened E320, which goes on sale this fall in some states, and will be available nationwide by the end of the decade.

Variable-tint glass

Electrochromatic rear-view mirrors, which automatically darken in response to light, have been around for years. Now, the concept is being applied to a vehicle's window glass. Ferrari introduced an electrochromatic roof panel on its limited-production $287,000 575 Superamerica in 2005. The panel can be adjusted to any of five levels of tint by turning a knob in the car's interior. The system's manufacturer claims solar-energy transmission can be reduced from two to 20 percent, and the amount of light entering the cabin can be reduced by as much as 40 percent. While the Superamerica is no longer in production, a domestic auto-glass supplier plans to bring the technology to mainstream vehicles within the next few years.

Photo-realistic navigation systems

The displays in current GPS navigation systems show the location of a vehicle on a graphical map in a way that's similar to looking straight down at a paper map. Several systems also provide a 3D "bird's eye" view that give more of a driver's perspective with roads stretching out to the horizon. Soon, however, we may view all of these displays in the same way we view old Mickey Mouse cartoons in a Pixar era.

The next wave of nav-system mapping will use actual images of roads and terrain to provide a dramatically realistic perspective. First up will be nav displays that show roads and the surrounding area as they look in satellite photography, complete with a bird's-eye-perspective capability. A company called 3DVU, for example, has developed such a system that is now in use on some portable nav systems in Japan and will be available in the built-in nav systems of some new South Korean cars by the end of the year.

Carmakers are exploring 3DVU and other lifelike navigation options, and the company expects to have this technology available for the U.S. market by 2010. By that time the terrain will also include realistic elevation data, meaning that mountains will really look like mountains instead of a laid-out flat photo. Future plans include adding street-level views of major cities that include realistic images of major buildings and landmarks.

An aid for inattentive drivers

Some of the latest Infiniti models include a lane-departure system, which alerts a sleepy or inattentive driver if his vehicle begins to wander out of its lane without a turn signal being activated. It uses a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror to detect the painted stripes between lanes and warns the driver with both a buzzer and warning light.

When we tested the system on the 2006 Infiniti M35, we found that it works well on the highway but can be distracting on curvy roads. Fortunately, the system can be turned off with a switch.

On-the-road entertainment (and more)

New developments in automotive electronics seem to arrive daily, providing more versatility in how we use and enjoy our vehicles.

• Manufacturers are finding increasing ways of marrying their cars' audio systems with portable audio systems, such as iPods and MP3 players. Mercedes-Benz, for example, offers a glove-box-mounted iPod-docking station that provides power for the device and enables the driver to use the car's steering-wheel-mounted audio controls to operate it.
• High Definition (HD) Radio systems, available for some BMW models, are capable of receiving digital signals broadcast from stations using HD Radio Technology, developed by iBiquity Digital. The systems are said to provide FM quality sound on the AM band and CD quality on FM. Like Sirius and XM digital satellite radio, HD Radio is said to offer clear reception that is free of static, hisses, or other sounds associated with conventional broadcast. HD-compatible radios are likely to become more common as more radio stations adopt the technology.
• Bluetooth technology, available on many new models, enables your cellular telephone to become a hands-free device by using the car's speakers to hear the caller. It also automatically mutes the radio/CD when a call comes in and facilitates dialing through voice recognition, thereby minimizing distraction.
• Portable navigation systems, which can be bought at many electronics stores, not only have most of the major features of built-in automaker systems, but are now incorporating features such as an MP3 player, Bluetooth compatibility, and satellite-radio reception. As of now, they still lack the voice-recognition-programming capability of some original-equipment systems, but that will likely be available soon on dashboard-installed aftermarket systems.
• Satellite television has been available as an aftermarket purchase for a few years, but one company, KVH Industries, has announced plans to offer satellite in-car Internet access, as well.

Hopefully, these new electronic features will include safeguards to minimize driver distraction.

Source: autos.msn.com