CES 2015: Mercedes Reveals its Luxury Self-Driving Car

Mercedes-Benz has finally unwrapped the prototype of its self-driving car at its press event at CES 2015, the F015 Luxury in Motion. It’s a slick piece of design with which the German automobile giant seeks to deliver a luxury experience never before felt in the modern era of cars.

The egg shaped F015’s outer shell is a mix of aluminium, and high-strength steel and carbon fibre reinforced plastic, which makes it much lighter than the current S -class. The hydrogen-electric hybrid can reach a top speed of 120mph and gets from 0-60 mph in about 6.5 seconds.

But that’s not what the F015 is all about, the real deal is when you get to look inside.

The car can instantly unlock when it recognises the driver’s phone or smartwatch. The four doors open to 90 degrees, and Mercedes calls the cabin “lounge-like”, courtesy of four rotating chairs which gives the niche appeal. These chairs pop out when the doors open up and then swivel back inside where passengers have access to a plethora of on-screen controls. The company calls it ‘digital arena’ which allows passengers to interact with the car’s on-board controls and entertainment.

In addition, it also allows a passenger to interact using eye-tracking and gesture controls if you’re in no mood to physically touch something. Everything can be accessed this way, from the stereo to the heads-up display using augmented reality to show what’s happening in the outside world.

The car also has a way to communicate with the outside world with a pair of colour coded LED lights housed on the front and the back of the car. These LED lights change colour based on the car’s current driving mode: it glows white in manual and blue in autonomous mode.

The F015 personifies the company’s vision of the future. We probably won’t even see the car go on sale, but its great to see that the company is inventive enough to bring this vision of drive free mobility closer to reality.

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Mercedes Teases its Manic Pro-Racer, the AMG GT3

Here’s one more track focused supercar headed for the Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes AMG GT3. The car gets inspiration from the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S.

No further details are available for now, but we can expect it to have significant racing upgrades compared to its street legal sibling – the AMG GT. The new Mercedes AMG GT3 replaces the SLS AMG GT3 racing car, and sports a slew of visual changes.

For starters, the front grille sports a new eye-catching grille, along with an extended splitter that can be seen on each side of the bumper. In addition, the bonnet seems to have been entirely revamped, along with a massive rear wing peeking out of the roof.

With the new Mercedes AMG GT3, the German manufacturer is seeking to build upon the success of the SLS AMG GT3. The car is all set for the Geneva Motor Show, keep checking back for more updates.

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Lexus Says it has Made a Real Hoverboard; Here it is

Now this is something interesting. Lexus has posted a video in which it claims it has made hoverboard – levitating skateboards, for real. Hoverboards became popular ever since they were introduced in the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II. The company has named it SLIDE.

In the video, a person is shown skateboarding until he stops and sees the hoverboard. The video doesn’t show the person actually riding the hoverboard but we see it levitating above the ground. The promotional website doesn’t offer much details. The company credits Haruhiko Tanahashi as the Chief Engineer associated with the project.

The site claims that the hoverboard uses magnetic levitation but in the video, it is levitating on above a concrete surface. According to the website, liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets have allowed Lexus to create the impossible.

This is not the first time a hoverboard has been brought to life. In 2014, a company called Arx Pax demonstrated the Hendo hoverboard, the “world’s first real hoverboard”.

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The Coolest Police Cars in the World

Supercars are awesome. So when the law gets their hands on one of these road rage monsters, you may need to think twice before trying to get away with any illegal activity. Giving a literal meaning to ‘You cannot escape the law’, these police cars are some of the finest cars we have ever seen. Check them out below:

SPECIAL MENTION:

Not many days ago, Gujarat police force received six customized Street 750 from Harley Davidson, which will be used primarily for quick response actions by the police department. These bikes will also be used to escort senior members, visiting dignitaries and as a part of the natural disaster response team. This bike is powered by a Revolution X V-Twin engine designed for the urban landscape. The engine gives out a power of 47bhp and a torque of 59Nm and is priced at Rs 4.32 lakh. Way to go, Gujarat!

FERRARI FF

Announced this year, Dubai police have admitted bringing in the V12-engine vehicle to its squad. Engine specifications include a 6262cc Petrol car that is capable of producing 8000 RPM and 651bhp of power. It has a 7-speed Automatic AWD Gearbox and includes Power Steering, perfect for chasing down criminals across the sandy terrain of Dubai.

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

Yet another supercar from Dubai, the Lamborghini Aventador was initially the preferred choice of the Dubai Police force. The reason Dubai bought in the Ferrari FF was because the Aventador was a 2-seater car. Initially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011, this car can deliver a maximum power of 690bhp at 8,250 RPM and a maximum torque of 689Nm. It is capable of reaching 0-100kmph in a mere 2.9 seconds and with a top speed of 370kmph. Dubai criminals, beware.

LOTUS EVORA S

From Italy, this small sports car is a power train, equipped with a 3.5 litre V6. With a power of 276bhp at 6,400 RPM and 350Nm of torque, it reaches a top speed of 262kmph and can reach 0-100kmph in 4.8 seconds. We certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of the Italian law.

CAPARO T1

This car is inspired by the Formula One design and is designated for chasing down crime in UK. It has a two-seat configuration and lacks amenities and luxuries to reduce excessive weight. This car generates a maximum power of 575bhp at 10,500 RPM and 420Nm of torque. It has a 6-speed gearbox. There is no escaping this road monster.

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Audi Unveils its Sports Car RS 6 Avant in India, Priced at Rs. 1.35 Crore

Today, German luxury car manufacturer Audi introduced the improved version of A6 Avant, RS 6 Avant, in India. The luxury sports car is priced at Rs. 1.35 crore (ex-showroom Delhi and Mumbai) and is available at all Audi dealerships across India.

The RS 6 Avant is the fourth sports car by Audi this year and the first to possess an ‘Avant’ body style. At the heart of the machine is a 4.0 TFSI twin-turbo V8 engine which displaces 3,993 cc and churns out 552bhp power. The company claims that it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km in just 3.9 seconds, and hits the top speed of 305 km/hr. It is said to achieve comparatively low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions, along with giving excellent performance.

Audi India Head Joe King said at the launch –

Embodying our philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, the Audi RS 6 Avant is the first sports car in India with an Avant body style. Having set the trend of many firsts with the launch of the first compact luxury sedan in India – the Audi A3, first compact luxury open top convertible – the Audi A3 Cabriolet, India’s first production car with laser high beam lighting – the limited edition Audi R8 LMX and the introduction of the Matrix LED headlights with the Audi A8 L, we believe it’s about time to introduce the Avant to luxury connoisseurs in the country. With its low, flowing roofline, the Audi RS 6 Avant is a sure head turner from every angle. We are confident that the elegant dynamics of the car will appeal to auto enthusiasts seeking style, speed and luxury.

Audi RS 6 Avant is quite a looker with a striking body, sculpted grille, bumpers, air intakes and arrow-shaped LED headlamps. The adaptive air suspension lowers the body of Audi RS 6 Avant by 20mm.

The automobile manufacturer will bring a limited number of RS 6 Avant in India. The Audi RS 6 Avant comes in nine different colors – Floret Silver, Prism Silver, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Panther Black, Misano Red, Daytona Grey, Nardo Grey, Sepang Blue and Daytona Grey Matt finish.

Since the past two years, Audi is ahead of its arch rival Mercedes-Benz in the Indian car market. It plans to launch a total of 10 cars in India by the year-end, raising up the competition for other car manufacturers.

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Hyundai i20 Active Crossover’s Slick Design Unveiled

Earlier this month, leaked pictures of the forthcoming Hyundai i20 based crossover stormed over the Indian cyberspace. And now the Korean car manufacturer has officially released design sketches of the car. Dubbed as the i20 Active, the vehicle has been designed in Germany at Hyundai Motor’s Design Centre Europe, in Russelsheim, Germany.

Now this may come as a surprise, Hyundai says the i20 Active will make its official global debut in India in March this calender year.

The i20 Active adopts a ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language- completing a more sporty, sharper and bold look. The ‘i20 Active’, SUV appearance conveys athletic presence and aggressive side-profile rake. The car combines fun driving, a distinctive character and sporty refinement, with the enhanced practicality and quality.

Hyundai

Based on the new i20 hatch, it carries forward the same ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0′ design language. And to give a more meaner aggressive look, Hyundai is offering plastic cladding all around the body, bigger alloy wheels and a slightly wider wheelbase. It also gets a few cosmetic tweaks, roof rails skid plates to further bolster its crossover-ish demeanour.

Though specific details about internal mechanicals are not yet available, it’ll most likely get the same engines from the new i20 and is likely to get a price tag in the range of 6-8 lakh.

The i20 is undeniably one hell of a looker,  Hyundai has certainly gone a notch up with the new i20 Active when it comes to design. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more of the new i20 Active.

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Mercedes-Benz Manufactures Its First SUV In India

Following the ‘Make in India’ campaign, Mercedes rolled out the GLA entry SUV in India yesterday. ‘Make in India’ aims at creating manufacturing firms within India to create more job opportunities and enhance the skills of the people of India across different sectors like automobiles, aviation, biotechnology, etc. Coincidently, today also marks the inauguration of Phase 2 of the company’s production facility in Chakan, Pune. India will also be the first market to receive the GLA entry SUV outside of Germany. Mercedes-Benz will be doubling its annual capacity in India to 20,000 units, thanks to the Make in India project. The Mercedes Phase 2 facility was inaugurated by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Eberhard Kern said,

India is one of the focus markets for Mercedes-Benz globally, and with the addition of a new plant, we are getting future ready

The Mercedes-Benz GLA Class comes with two engine options- a 2-litre petrol variant and a 2.1-litre diesel variant. But, for now, only the diesel variant is being manufactured in the Indian facility. The inline, 4-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharging and direct injection is mated to a 7-speed ducal clutch transmission. The GLA 200 CDI gives a claimed mileage of 17.9Km/l, thus making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUV in the segment. It is capable of reaching 0-100kmph in 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 205kmph. Its torque is 300Nm @ 1600-3000rpm.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI Style is available for Rs. 31.31 lakh and Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI Sport for Rs. 34.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). With the addition of the GLA Class SUV, the company locally manufactures six models, which include C-, E-, S-Class sedans and the ML- and GL-Class SUVs. The CLA entry sedan will be added to the local assembly list later this year while the A- and B-Class models come in after that.

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