Watch: The Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell
July 2, 2010
Check out retired Formula One driver David Coulthard as he test drives the Mercedes-Benz’ SLS E-Cellprototype. The former racer runs the electric supercar through some acceleration and slalom tests on a runway before hitting the public roads of Norway.
BMWs New microNavigation Technology
June 17, 2010
BMW develops microNavigation
Many people rely on their in-dash navigation system for help when finding a destination in an unfamiliar area. Heading off to a new place can be confusing enough just to get there, but now where do you park? Current navigation systems, both in-dash and hand-held types, have limited databases of such detailed information.
To take care of this issue, BMW is developing a microNavigation system called Pathfinder to supplement the data stored onboard the car. Pathfinder allows you to download more detailed information about your destination in the form of a MicroMap to a memory card before you leave the house. When the card is inserted into the car, the data is added to the built-in navigation information. The more detailed information can even work with a camera used for lane departure warning to tell the driver which lane they should be in to catch ramps and entries to highways or parking structures.
Once the car is parked, the data can be transferred to a smartphone or other mobile device for the final leg of the trip. The phone can guide you directly to your destination and in can even remember where you parked. When more vehicles are offered with their own mobile data connections, this data could even be downloaded directly straight to the car on the fly. All of this will require the creation of far more detailed maps than exist today; also it’s not clear if current map data providers will produce these microMaps. Google is incorporating much of this information from its search index, however, its recent deals with Ford and General Motors’ OnStar, it could soon be the default provider for every automaker.
BMW develops microNavigation
All-new 2011 Volvo S60 Introduces New Safety Technology
June 4, 2010
The all-new S60 introduces a unique safety technology: Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. Pedestrian accidents occur every day in our increasingly hectic traffic conditions, nearly 4,700 deaths annually in the U.S., a number Volvo is working to reduce.
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake is a brand new technological solution that actively helps the driver to avoid accidents. Volvo’s radar- and camera-based system can detect pedestrians in front of the car, warn the driver if anyone walks out into its path – and then automatically activate the S60’s full braking power if the driver fails to respond in time.
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake consists of a newly developed radar unit integrated into the all-new S60’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the inside rearview mirror and a central control unit. The radar’s task is to detect any object in front of the car and to determine the distance to it while the camera determines what type of object it is, in turn hopefully reducing the likelihood of a collision.
Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Star in Sex and the City 2
May 21, 2010
Sarah Jessica Parker and Mercedes-Benz star in Sex and the City 2
Next week, fans will flock to theaters for the long awaited return of their four favorite New Yorkers in the soon-to-be blockbuster “Sex and the City 2″. Making its big screen debut along side Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. Commenting on the choice to feature Mercedes in “Sex and the City”, Steve Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA, notes : ”The Mercedes-Benz brand has always attracted trendsetters and style-makers and the partnership with New Line Cinema’s ‘Sex and the City,’ which personifies these attributes, is a very natural fit.”
Sex and the City style icons Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are back and the four friends remain true to their exclusive lifestyle as they escape from the city and find themselves embarking on adventures in the ultra-luxurious Maybach and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV. Back home in New York City, Mr. Big. keeps his S-Class, but moves to the new eco-friendly S400 Hybrid, and Carrie and Mr. Big embrace summer chic by heading to Connecticut behind the wheel of their all-new 2011 E-Class Cabriolet, which makes its own retail debut June 2010.
“Based on the success of the first movie and its ability to attract trendsetters and style-makers, Sex and the City 2 is a natural fit for Mercedes-Benz,” says Steve Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. “The movie provides a great stage for us; it showcases our new eco-friendly flagship S-Class, ruggedly sophisticated G-Class and ultra luxury Maybach line in their natural elements. It also perfectly positions the new E-Class Convertible just as it arrives in showrooms.”
“Sex and the City 2″ hits theaters May 27th.
This car is “The Bomb”…well not quite
May 12, 2010
The prototype BMW
Whoops! Maybe not the best idea to leave a camouflaged prototype parked with the engine running next to Central Park in Manhattan. The untimely event occured just a week after a failed car bomb attempt in Times Square, so understanably, Manhattan is still on high alert. The faux pas by Martin Birkmann, head of product planning for BMW North America, reportedly triggered a bomb scare along Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History. Several blocks in the area were evacuated as a precaution.
Volvo Offers Allergy Relief for Spring
May 10, 2010
Volvo offers some allergy relief
Well, spring has finally sprung after a long winter. While longer days, sunnier weather and warmer temps are welcomed by most, unfortunately for some people this means allergies. Itchy eyes and runny noses make it difficult to enjoy the changing season. So what do allergies have to do with automobiles? Volvo decided to help out the allergy-laden population by offering an alternative to popping allergy pills.
In several Volvo vehicles, the carmaker already offers micro-filtration systems that are claimed to capture the particles that cause seasonal allergies. According to Volvo, an automatic ventilation system in the S80, XC60, V70, XC70 and S60 flushes the interior air when the doors are unlocked.
“The filters we fit to clean the passenger compartment air also remove the particles that cause allergies. A ride in a car can actually make breathing easier for many sufferers when the problem becomes acute,” says Andreas Andersson, manager of allergy-optimised car interiors at Volvo Cars.
The automaker has also been putting a lot of effort into using hypo-allergenic interior materials like chromium free leather. While all of this might work to minimize pollen exposure while actually in the vehicle, at some point everyone has to get out of the car. If Volvo could just find a way to get their cars to absorb the pollen outside, then they’d really be on to something.
Audi R8 Spyder stars at Iron Man 2 premiere
May 3, 2010
Robert Downey Jr. arrived for the premiere in style in the breathtaking R8 Spyder.
Robert Downey Jr. has returned to his role as the ingenious engineer and Super Hero, Iron Man. The world premiere of Iron Man 2 took place on Monday in Los Angeles. Along with Robert Downey Jr., several other big names accompanied director Jon Favreau down the red carpet, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson – and most importantly, the Audi R8 Spyder. Robert Downey Jr. arrived for the premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in style in the breathtaking R8 Spyder. It was a scene straight out of the Marvel Studios movie, in which main character Tony Stark drives the open-top two-seater.
The R8 Spyder is practically custom-made for the superhero, a technological genius who needs to drive the car without his high-tech suit, but can’t miss out on the innovative technology. Robert Downey Jr. and his R8 Spyder put Audi’s technology to good use: Iron Man’s visual capabilities are optimized by his helmet, for example, and the R8’s high efficiency LED headlights likewise provide for good vision.
The supercar from Audi matches the Super Hero’s indestructible suit with its own carbon fiber composite materials in parts of its exterior skin, along with a high-strength aluminum frame known as the Audi Space Frame. And they both have their supercharged hearts: a glowing artificial one in Iron Man’s chest, and an impressive mid-engine design in the R8, which is visible externally.
With its jet propulsion, Iron Man’s suit worn by Robert Downey Jr. is unrivalled – and the R8 Spyder, with its 525 hp engine, needn’t fear its rivals either. The 5.2 liter FSI engine of the R8 powers the two-seater convertible to a top speed of 194 miles an hour. Only flying could be faster– and in this case, Iron Man comes out on top. But Robert Downey Jr. hardly needs to concern himself. In Iron Man 2, he has the best of both worlds.
Tony Stark drives the open-top two-seater.
2010 Green Car of the Year goes to the Audi A3 TDI
March 17, 2010
As Green Cars become more and more desirable, luxury vehicles have more and more pressure to make their cars Eco friendly. Audi has recently created the Audi A3 TDI which has been named Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year.
This A3 TDI is stylish, upscale, has a 42 mpg highway fuel efficiency, substantial torque starting at 1,750 rpm and is approved to B5 bio-diesel fuel. With a wide and low stance, this A3 comes with 17″ alloy wheels; xenon headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, and an S line exterior sport appearance. There is leather upholstery, aluminum accents, 10 speaker sound system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, 40/60 fold-down read seats, 5 doors, and hatchback functionality.
This green car starts at a low base price of only $29,950. For a car brand that prides itself on being sporty and stylish it’s hard to believe it’s also friendly to mother earth. No longer do Audi drivers have to hear the wrath from Eco activists about their sporty polluting gas guzzler. Check out the new Audi A3 TDI at Tischer Audi in Silver Spring. We are sure you will agree that this sports car is evolutionary.
Win a New 2010 Nissan Altima
March 16, 2010
Nissan has partnered with Master The Shift – a video and workout series instructed by a group of master athletes. The Nissan Master team consists of four elite American athletes, Ryan Hall -Olympic runner, Tara Stiles – yoga master, Eddie George – former NFL Star, and Chris Carmichael – former Olympian and professional cycling coach.
Like a master athlete, the Altima is the ideal mix of endurance and performance which is why Nissan is backing this workout series. People expect Nissans to perform and endure more than most auto manufacturers, but what people fail to realize is that their body needs to run the same way. Nissan hopes to get Americans off the couch and exercising.
The Master The Shift Events Team will be touring the country this spring and summer. Come out and participate in an event near you and enter to win a 2010 Nissan Altima. Click here to learn more about how you can enter to win or be apart of the tour.
2010 Subaru Outback – The Awards keep coming in!
March 15, 2010
The Outback has unmatched versatility, enviable gas mileage, All-Wheel drive, and a legendary safety record, so it’s no surprise that it is receiving so many awards this year.
Motor Trend named the 2010 Subaru Outback the Sport/Utility of the year. On top of this being an amazing honor, this is the second year in a row that Subaru took home the award. As the first manufacturer ever to achieve this award two years in a row, it’s obvious this brand is working hard to create reliable consumer products.
Motor Trend Editor-in-chief Angus Mackenzie said, “It boasts car-like refinement, drivability and gas mileage on the road, yet is as capable in the rough stuff as all but the most off-road focused sport utilities. Thoughtfully engineered, cleverly detailed and competitively priced, the Subaru Outback is a terrific all-rounder with broad appeal.”
Other awards from Polk, Cars.com and Kelly Blue Book are listed below…
- Polk called the Outback “The best selling All-Wheel Drive car in America for the past 5 years.”
- Cars.com categorized the Outback as the “Best New Wagon of 2010.”
- Kelly Blue Book referred to this wagon as a “2010 Top 10 Family Car.”
Come visit us at Herb Gordon Subaru or Heritage Subaru Owings Mills to test drive a new Outback. See for yourself why this car is beating out every other vehicle in its segment this year.
