Cars Wallpaper: February 2011

VIDEO: The F-CELL World Drive - From Lisbon to USA

The F-CELL World Drive - From Lisbon to USA

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

VIDEO: The F-CELL World Drive - Europe Journey - The Best Moments

The F-CELL World Drive - Europe Journey - The Best Moments

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Geneva is host to first public appearance of the XENATEC Coupe based on the Maybach 57 S

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Weinsberg, Germany, Feb 25, 2011

For the first time, XENATEC is presenting a customer-specified XENATEC-Coupe (so called: Cruiserio) based on the Maybach 57 S to coincide with the 81st International Auto Salon in Geneva from March 1st through 6th. The presentation of the car, which will take place in a specially constructed pavilion in the gardens of “La Réserve” Hotel on the banks of Lake Geneva, also marks its world premiere.

The coupe was configured by XENATEC designer Fredrik Burchhardt to customer specifications and then built exclusively for him. The paintwork on this one-off is a matte finish applied by hand in several layers to create a shimmering brass tone. The overall paint finish is completed by a delicate silver along the vehicle’s flanks. This particular stylistic treatment – a hallmark of all Maybach automobiles – is the final touch to the work of art that is the XENATEC-Coupe and utterly unparalleled worldwide.

To sum up - designed by artists, manufactured for connoisseurs.

The interior is utterly exclusive, created from a stunning combination of buffalo hide in its natural, non-dyed mid-brown and dark nappa leather in espresso brown, all hand-stitched by master craftsmen. The vehicle footwells are lined entirely in soft Alcantara© finished in a warm blackberry tone. The same “blackberry” tone is also used as a contrasting color for the leather piping around the seats. The overall effect is further enhanced by the headliner finished in nappa leather to create a stunning contrast in this uniquely sumptuous feast of color, which is beautifully displayed at all times thanks to the custom-built panorama roof.

To sum up – the highest form of individualization, executed with perfect craftsmanship.

PHOTO GALLERY: The F-CELL World Drive - The USA adventure ~ Starting point: Miami

The F-CELL World Drive has just arrived on U.S. soil. The three teams involved kicked off the North American trip in the sunny city of Miami, on the coast of Florida, in the eastern part of the country, where an official photo session was held. The next milestones of the journey will include destinations such as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Vancouver (in Canada) and Seattle, before setting off for Australia. Check out more photos after the break!

Mercedes-Benz showing papal car at the Amelia Island Concours d'Élegance 2011

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- International venue for very exclusive automobiles
- Mercedes-Benz showing the 600 Pullman Landaulet papal car of 1965
- The unique specimen today belongs to the collection of Mercedes-Benz Classic

Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 25, 2011 – The Amelia Island Concours d'Élegance in Florida in the USA is one of the year's most glamorous automotive events. At mid-March each year, the most beautiful, most elegant vehicles are gathered there. From 11 to 13 March 2011, for the 16th time now the Golf Club of Amelia Island will be allowing the presentation of fine cars on its fine lawn. Mercedes-Benz Classic is represented there this year with a remarkable and unique specimen: the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet papal car, shown for the first time ever on U.S. shores. The vehicle was handed over to Pope Paul VI in 1965 and used by the Vatican as official car for the Holy Father before being returned to the company in 1985 and incorporated into the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection.

Some 250 cars will be on hand at the Amelia Island Concours d’Élegance. They take part in an unrivaled competition of beautiful cars, with winners being selected in various categories. Vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz brand regularly are awarded high distinctions. Last year, for example, a 1937 540 K Special Roadster received the coveted "Best in Show" award. A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL featuring a rare aluminum body and a 540 K Special Tourer built in 1938 were chosen "Best in Class".

With the Mercedes-Benz Pullman Landaulet on display at the Amelia Island Concours d'Élegance, in the 125! years of the automobile anniversary year the brand underscores its aspiration always to provide customers the best. The 600 series models were built from 1963 to 1981 and were equipped with the finest and best their period had to offer. For over two decades they were first choice as prestige cars in the fleets of high-ranking personages.

The tailor-made vehicle for the Vatican was the result of cooperation between Testing and Production in Sindelfingen. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100 series) with long wheelbase. However, the appointments differ from the standard equipment. The rear doors are much wider and abut directly on the front doors. The rear doors also were given new controls to make them easier to reach for the Pope from the individual seat which he occupied in the center of the rear section. The Pullman Landaulet has a raised roof to afford adequate headroom, and a flat floor in the rear seat area.

The Holy Father was enthused about the high technical level of the W 100 series. "The name Mercedes has become a byword for German diligence and German efficiency in the whole world. And for this reason we appreciate your gift today all the more." With these words Paul VI praised the automotive engineering from Stuttgart upon delivery of the vehicle. Further special equipment of the vehicle includes a cooling system, the intercom unit for contact with the driver, and the individual seat in the rear, adjustable in several directions, which always presented the Holy Father in prominently visible position.

Today the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet with the legendary license plate SCV 1 is a part of the collection of Mercedes-Benz Classic. SCV stands for Stato della Città del Vaticano. The number 1 identifies the vehicle used by the Pope as official car.

Mercedes-Benz wants to prevent rear-end collisions: New safety system for the upcoming A and B-Class

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Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 25, 2011 - Almost half of all rear-end collisions can be avoided with the help of radar-based safety systems such as collision warning and adaptive Brake Assist, or their effects mitigated. This is a finding from detailed accident analyses carried out by Mercedes-Benz accident researchers, which incorporate experiences gained from the Mercedes innovations DISTRONIC PLUS and BAS PLUS. Now the company is also adopting the innovation leadership in the compact class and is introducing radar-based collision warning with adaptive Brake Assist extensively this year in the upcoming A and B-Class. In contrast to systems already in the market in this segment, the new Brake Assist is not an urban system that merely minimises the effects of minor collisions. Instead this innovative solution is targeted at preventing typical rear-end collisions in all driving situations.

In Germany rear-end collisions are still responsible for 22 percent of accidents involving injury or fatalities, and in the USA the figure is as high as 31 percent. For many decades Mercedes-Benz has worked on methods to prevent these accidents. Milestones in the company's safety developments include ABS (1978), Brake Assist BAS (1996), DISTRONIC proximity control (1998) and the further development stage DISTRONIC PLUS with BAS PLUS (2005). These new systems always celebrated their debut in the luxury class models, but in the interests of traffic safety it has always been a principle of Mercedes-Benz to make innovative technology available on a broad basis as rapidly as possible – also outside its own model range. As a result ABS and BAS, and incidentally also the Mercedes development ESP®, are nowadays standard equipment in practically all passenger cars.

New Brake Assist: a milestone in safety technology

The next milestone in the democratisation of automotive safety technology is due to follow this year: with the launch of the new-generation B-Class, followed a little later by the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is making a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist available in compact class vehicles as a world first. The company expects this to make a significant, positive impression on accident statistics: "Our aim is to reduce the number of serious accidents even further, and on a broad basis. Following detailed analyses of accident data, we estimate that this radar-based technology will be able to prevent around 20 percent of all rear-end collisions, and mitigate the effects of the accident in a further 25 percent of cases," says Ulrich Mellinghoff, Head of Safety at Mercedes-Benz.

This estimate is backed up by test results: during tests with 110 car drivers in the driving simulator, the accident rate in three typical situations fell from 44 to eleven percent thanks to a combination of collision warning and adaptive Brake Assist.

BAS PLUS has a high level of acceptance among drivers

DISTRONIC PLUS and BAS PLUS already have a high level of acceptance amongst Mercedes customers. This is also confirmed by a 2010 survey of car drivers whose cars are equipped with these. 87 percent of the respondents gave a positive assessment of the proximity control function, and after six months of ownership 41 percent has already experienced an intervention by Brake Assist PLUS. Their comments speak for themselves:

- "It can easily happen of course, you are chatting away in the car, and if the system had not beeped I would have driven straight into the back of him."

- "You are not on your own, and on those occasions when you are not paying attention you get this useful warning."

- "There is a marked reduction in rear-end collisions. There is always the odd moment when you are not paying proper attention, and before you know it you have hit the car ahead. The warning sound immediately gets your attention, and you can still brake, there is enough time."

It is precisely this requirement profile that is met by the new assistance system, which will already be launched for the compact car segment before the end of this year: it gives a visual and acoustic warning to a possibly inattentive driver, and prepares Brake Assist for an absolutely precise braking response. This is initiated as soon as the driver emphatically operates the brake pedal.

Key functions of the coming generation

- A radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist recognises an inadequate distance from a vehicle ahead in the speed range between 30 and 250 km/h,
- recognises when the gap is decreasing. The driver is given a visual and acoustic warning if a collision threatens,
- is able to recognise stationary objects ahead of the vehicle and issue a corresponding warning,
- recognises specific driving situations such as bumper-to-bumper traffic, and adapts the activation threshold for the warning and adaptive Brake Assist to these parameters,
- calculates the precise braking force ideally needed to avoid the accident when the danger of a collision is detected, and makes best possible use of any distance remaining. This means that the driver behind in turn has better chances of preventing a rear-end collision.
- The brake pressure is adjusted if the situation changes – if the vehicle ahead accelerates, it is decreased to the level the driver requires; if the distance to moving and stopping vehicles decreases, the brake pressure is increased further.
- Preventive safety systems (PRE-SAFE®) can be activated if needed (e.g. belt tensioners).
- The new system meets the key "Forward Collision Warning" requirements of the NHTSA, the American road and vehicle safety authority.

More experience with assistance systems than any other manufacturer

Mercedes-Benz has the most extensive experience with assistance systems of all car manufacturers. Ulrich Mellinghoff, Head of Safety at Mercedes-Benz: "Fine coordination of these systems requires comprehensive know-how, and is decisive for customer acceptance and effectiveness. Systems are only accepted if they work reliably, and are only seldom operated or triggered in error."

In addition to preliminary studies covering a driver-oriented system configuration in the driving simulator, the systems are therefore verified by extensive, practical driving trials during the development stage. To this end vehicles are fitted with measuring equipment to register key dynamic values, as well as video cameras to record the traffic situation. An input terminal enables the drivers to provide feedback on the behaviour of the assistance systems, and assess whether the intervention was appropriate or not. To date the experiences of 608 drivers have been recorded and analysed using precisely 198,828 measurements over a total distance of 1,130,215 kilometres. These included more than 5000 proximity warnings which were taken into account to optimise the system.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Daimler emerges from Image Awards with the most successful brands

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- Five first places in VerkehrsRundschau image ranking
- Mercedes-Benz emerges as most popular brand
- Image Awards for Mercedes-Benz trucks and vans
- Leading the field in telematics: Daimler FleetBoard
- Mercedes-Benz Charterway: Winner in the Rental/Leasing category

Munich/Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 25, 2011 – Daimler AG's commercial vehicle brands have achieved an outstanding showing in this year's Image Awards from VerkehrsRundschau, the renowned specialist magazine for the transport and logistics sector. Daimler brands took first place in five of the six category rankings in which they were assessed. In four categories, the company even scooped a double victory to assure it of "Unchallenged Winner" status. Image Awards went to Daimler in the Trucks, Vans, Commercial Vehicle Rental and Telematics categories. A particularly gratifying outcome for the Stuttgart-based commercial vehicle specialists was its choice as the most popular commercial vehicle brand among "Young Logistics Professionals". In a special poll of 4000 junior members of the logistics profession, the future decision-makers who are currently aged up to 32 identified the vans sporting the Mercedes star as their favourites.

Image Award 2011: 107 brands in the running

The image ranking, which VerkehrsRundschau has been conducting since 2002, centres on a representative opinion poll to survey the image and awareness levels of the leading companies offering commercial vehicles and products and services for commercial vehicle fleets. To this end, the TNS Emnid market research institute interviewed a total of 400 executive staff in Germany at transportation companies and at industrial and commercial enterprises operating their own fleets. All 107 of the brands selected for this study are among the market leaders in Germany in terms of market share and public perception.

Since last year, the image study has offered two rankings per category: the rating by the operators of small fleets (up to 10 commercial vehicles) and the image assessment by operators of medium-sized and large fleets (11 commercial vehicles and over). A brand which wins the Image Award in both rankings is considered to be the unchallenged winner of the category concerned.

Mercedes-Benz vans win both rankings

As in 2010, the Mercedes-Benz vans scooped the title of "Unchallenged Winner" once again in the Vans category. Mercedes-Benz was also the winner in this category throughout the previous years. This year, the operators of small fleets awarded 812 out of a possible total of 1000 image points to the Mercedes vans. The vote of approval from the operators of medium-sized and large fleets was even more resounding, with 823 image points going to the Sprinter, Vito and Vario product range.

Award for Mercedes-Benz Trucks

The commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz also lead the field in the "top-flight" Trucks category. The trucks in the permissible gross vehicle weight category of 3.5 t and over claimed the Image Award with 796 points from operators of fleets of up to ten commercial vehicles, who account for around 80 percent of German transport companies.

Two Image Awards for Mercedes-Benz Charterway

The Image Award also went to Stuttgart for both segments of the Rental/Leasing category. Following on from last year's success, Mercedes-Benz Charterway remains the number one among transport companies, forwarding agents and internal works transport operators, making it once again the "Unchallenged Winner" among the providers of rental and financing services in connection with the acquisition of commercial vehicles.

The three product lines Charterway Service, Charterway Service Leasing and Charterway Rental even improved their image rating among the operators of small, medium-sized and larger fleets alike in comparison to the previous year. In the ranking by operators of up to ten commercial vehicles Mercedes-Benz Charterway received 768 image points (previous year: 746), while operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles or more awarded 752 image points (previous year: 722).

Daimler FleetBoard: Unchallenged Winner among telematics systems

As in the previous year, the telematics solutions from Daimler FleetBoard to enhance the economic efficiency of commercial vehicle fleets took first place in the Telematics category once again in 2011. The operators of small fleets awarded 713 image points and the operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles and over awarded 762 image points, assuring the Daimler subsidiary of the Image Award in both rankings.

This result affirms Daimler FleetBoard's strategy aimed at further expanding its current product offering. As the most recent example of this expansion course, FleetBoard is now also available ex-factory as an original equipment item for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This means that a highly efficient telematics system from Daimler FleetBoard is now also available to operators of van fleets as a means of reducing operating costs through optimised job and route management and as a facility to lower maintenance and repair costs.

Mercedes-Benz emerges as most popular brand

Mercedes-Benz also emerged from the Image Awards as the most popular commercial vehicle brand. This finding was based on a representative opinion poll conducted on this year's special topic of "Brand perception among young logistics professionals". Mercedes-Benz had already claimed first place in the special category last year, when the focus was on the environment.

Over 4000 future specialists and junior executives from the fields of transport, haulage and logistics were interviewed for the Image Award 2011 in the special category of "Young Logistics Professionals". On the subject of commercial vehicles and fleets, the young logistics professionals of up to 32 years of age chose Mercedes as their favourite truck brand from among 107 contenders. The truck brand from Stuttgart received 897 out of a possible total of 1000 image points. The all-round success of the Daimler brands on all fronts was sealed by the top ranking in the second segment of this special category. The future decision-makers in the area of commercial vehicles and fleet accessories awarded 871 image points to the van brand bearing the Mercedes star.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA ~ Landaulet: Al fresco motoring at its finest

The term 'landaulet' comes from the German word 'landau' and, in the past, it was used to describe a special vehicle that featured a manually (or later mechanically) retractable cloth roof for the back seat area and a fixed top for the driver's cabin. The production of such magnificent-looking automobiles has roots as far back as 1896. The history of modern landaulet variants at Mercedes-Benz summarizes up to 6 limited series models. Most of the versions produced after the Second World War were ordered by Vatican to be used as papal cars.

Read more about this topic >> HERE

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force Hits Hollywood For The Oscars

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New York, USA, Feb 24, 2011

Fresh off its East Coast patrol during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Brad Goreski and a team of Fashion Enforcers are taking to the streets of Los Angeles in the new 2012 CLS 63 AMG Fashion Force vehicle looking for stylesetters and red carpet hits during Oscar Week.

From Melrose to Rodeo Drive, and the chicest parties on Sunset Boulevard, the CLS 63 AMG Fashion Force car outfitted in its official badging is on patrol rewarding stylesetters with a ride to their next destination, and a giving out a discreet number of invitations to the annual Mercedes-Benz Oscar viewing party at the Soho House West Hollywood. A tradition during Oscar weekend, the invitation only viewing party draws an exclusive mix of industry executives and Hollywood insiders that celebrate Mercedes-Benz long-standing history in the film industry.

"Hollywood and fashion are symbiotic partners especially during awards season," said Brad Goreski. "Whether you are right in the middle of a glamorous event or watching it from the sidelines, the red carpet Oscar events set the stage to showcase the latest designs and styles for those watching around the world."

At the center of the Fashion Force is the 2012 CLS 63 AMG four-door coupe serving as its official vehicle. It represents the epitome of alluring design and sexy curb appeal. The Fashion Force hits the streets from Thursday, February 24th through Sunday, February 27 th and can be followed on Twitter #FashionForce.

Fashion Enforcers include a list of leading fashion bloggers including: Laurie Brucker of Laurie B Style, Geri Hirsch of Because I'm Addicted, Jaclyn Johnson of Notes on Napkins, Nadine Jolie of Nadine Jolie, Beth Jones of B Jones Style, Alison McNamara of FabSugar, Kelsi Smith of Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Sydne Summer of Think Thru Fashion, and Nola Weinstein of Glam.com.

As Hollywood celebrates a year of outstanding performances, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 125 years of innovation, the invention of the automobile, and its future as leader in the automotive industry. It was Carl Benz's patent of the automobile that occurred around the same time as the invention of motion pictures. No one knew the impact that these inventions would have on society, but now more than a century later, Hollywood and Mercedes-Benz are synonymous with glamour and luxury. Both share a rich and inspirational history together – in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY VIDEO: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse

This spy video featuring several test prototypes of the future S-Klasse (W 222) doing road development programme was shot in the icy cold landscapes of Sweden, in the northern part of Scandinavia. The one who was filming the cars managed to grab key hints about certain exterior design elements to be showcased on the flagship limousine. For instance, the headlights, still heavily hidden under thick black cloth, will make use of state-of-the-art, full LED technology. The traditional Mercedes-Benz chromed radiator grille will become more upright and angled towards the front, as in the case of the new CLS. The new S-Klasse will boast a very smooth, sleek and very elegant side profile dominated by a lowered roof line and elongated hood and trunk sections.

Source of the video >> Gmotors.co.uk

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL en route in the USA - About circumnavigators, stacks and roadsters: the F-CELL World Drive heads through North America

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Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 25, 2011

On 25 February the F-CELL World Drive embarked on the second leg of its tour when three striking green B-Class F-CELL set out from Fort Lauderdale on the East Coast of the USA on their first North American leg towards New Orleans. In total, the vehicles will be covering around 7500 kilometres in the USA and Canada, after which they will leave via Seattle to continue their journey to Australia. So far the F-CELL World Drive has already clocked up more than 3600 km on the roads of Europe.

The F-CELL World Drive will be travelling across the North American continent until 18 March, demonstrating the potential of fuel cell technology. In addition, with what is to date a unique undertaking, Mercedes-Benz is reaffirming the need to develop a comprehensive global hydrogen infrastructure. "We will have reached market maturity with fuel cell technology by 2015 at the latest. From that point we would then be in a position to bring several 100,000 vehicles, in a variety of different model series, onto the roads. For example we are also planning a saloon model with fuel cell drive and will thereby expand our portfolio of local zero-emission vehicles. Therefore, by that time, an infrastructure which allows the everyday operation of such vehicles, needs to be in place.", according to Dr. Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG Board Member responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Now is therefore the time to increase speed and consistently develop the hydrogen filling station network."

Local zero-emission motoring from Miami to Seattle

The second leg of the F-CELL World Drive is taking the three fuel cell vehicles across the North American continent, from Miami right across the USA and as far as Vancouver in Canada. The route then continues by airplane from Seattle to Australia. In doing so, the journey will also highlight the gaps in the American hydrogen infrastructure. By the end of the USA tour the B-Class F-CELL vehicles will have been refuelled around 35 times during 18 legs – but only one time will be at a public hydrogen filling station in Torrance, Los Angeles.

During the tour, the striking green paint finish of the B-Class F-CELL vehicles, which already caused a sensation at the Detroit Motor Show, isn’t the only feature raising attention to the tour. Local events in San Francisco, Sacramento, Salem and Vancouver will also provide the opportunity for an intensive exchange of ideas with local media, visitors and residents on the subject of fuel cell technology.

During this leg of the trip, which is scheduled to take roughly three weeks, participants can expect to enjoy a varied programme providing not only extensive opportunity to experience the B-Class F-CELL, but also interesting information on the topic of sustainable mobility. On 1 March the tour already paid a visit to the Daimler car2go mobility project in Austin, Texas. The next item of the agenda, due to take place on 10 March, is an intensive exchange on the topic of electric mobility at Tesla Motors in Palo Alto. Tesla designs and builds high performance electric cars and supplies powertrain components to leading OEMs. Tesla makes the lithium-ion battery and charger for Daimler's smart fortwo electric drive and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL. In Vancouver the participants will then be the guests of the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC). This is where the fuel cell stack for the B-Class F-CELL, for example, was developed in close cooperation with Daimler research and development staff from Germany. The company was established in 2007, with Daimler as the majority shareholder (50.1 percent). In addition, while in Vancouver the F-CELL World Drive will also meet up with adventurer and explorer Mike Horn and his PANGAEA Expedition, for which Mercedes-Benz is the main sponsor. The PANGAEA Expedition's sailing ship has been visiting all of the continents, including both the North and South Pole, since October 2008. Together with young people from all over the world, expedition leader Mike Horn is setting up ecological and social projects on his trip around the world.

Heading through Europe with hydrogen in tow

Prior to setting off in the USA, the vehicles already proved themselves on a route covering more than 3000 kilometres through Southern Europe. The symbolic starting shot for the tour actually sounded on 29 January during the official ceremony to mark the 125th anniversary of the motor car, after which, just one day later, the B-Class F-CELL vehicles set out on the first stage to Paris. After this they made for the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, driving via France and Spain.

The initial kilometres of the unique world tour have already displayed the need for action in terms of the provision of hydrogen. The accompanying participants from the USA and China discovered that even a fuel cell vehicle such as the B-Class F-CELL can provide an enjoyable and dynamic driving experience as well as high cruising speeds: On the German motorways they kept the vehicles at a speed of 170 km/h. The consequences of this style of driving became apparent later, however, when it was discovered that the tanks of two of the three vehicles were empty approx. 40 kilometres before the scheduled fuel stop. This resulted in the realisation that, even with a fuel cell vehicle, driving fast results in increased consumption, and that all drivers can cover longer local zero-emission motoring distances by adopting an economical driving style. On subsequent legs, the real goal of the participants was to achieve as low a consumption as possible by adopting an appropriate driving style at comfortable speeds. As part of this, one of the drivers even managed to better an NEDC-certified (New European Driving Cycle) value equivalent to 3.3 litres of fuel (diesel equivalent) per 100 kilometres, resulting in a range of 380 km.

For Mercedes-Benz, these initial problems most notably reflect the need for action when it comes to the provision of hydrogen. The refuelling situation on the F-CELL World Drive underpins this issue. At the start in Stuttgart, the vehicles could still be refuelled at the public hydrogen filling station of OMV. However, up until the preliminary leg destination of Lisbon, the vehicles had to resort to alternatives, such as the mobile refuelling vehicle developed specifically for the tour. This was developed in conjunction with Linde AG, which is also guaranteeing the supply of hydrogen for the entire world tour, something which represents a significant challenge since the hydrogen has to be made available at each of the refuelling stops at the right time, in the right quantity and with the necessary degree of purity.

Despite the partial difficult conditions - which a trip around the world brings along with it - after extensive test drives it has become apparent to the participants of the tour that the B-Class F-CELL is highly suited to everyday use. Furthermore, as determined at a routine evening check in Lyon, even animals such as the pine marten are keen on the technology too. Two small holes in the cooling and heating hoses, caused by the teeth of the predators, were the fuel cell vehicle's first small issues requiring repair.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive

During the F-CELL World Drive, three Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL vehicles are passing through 14 countries and 4 continents - to drive around the globe once. Organised by Mercedes-Benz, the circumnavigation of the world started on 30 January 2011 in Stuttgart and is scheduled to last 125 days, until the vehicles return to Stuttgart again at the beginning of June, after covering a distance of some 30,000 kilometres. The aim of the tour is to demonstrate the technical maturity and suitability for everyday use of electric vehicles with fuel cells, and at the same time highlight the need for a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure. The Stuttgart-based automotive manufacturer is being supported on the tour by Linde AG, which is responsible for supplying the hydrogen.

Starting February 25th, you can follow the F-CELL World Drive online: http://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzfcell .

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz "Waltz" 4MATIC 2011 TV Commercial

SPY - 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse

After getting a first glimpse of the style adopted for the front fascia of the new GL-Klasse, new spy photos coming from Scandinavia have recently hit the internet. With the LED headlights and daytime lamps turned on, the mighty SUV from Stuttgart looks pretty handsome, but a fairly good judgement could only be made when the future generation GL it's unveiled next year, in mid-summer. See more images after the jump!

Daimler plans more than 10,000 new jobs worldwide in 2011

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- Direct recruitment of approximately 6,700 skilled workers and 700 graduates
- Approximately 4,000 new jobs in Germany alone
- Daimler invests in talent for the future: recruitment of 600 trainees and more than 200 students of the ‘Duale Hochschule’ – mainly in Germany
- Approximately 1,900 apprentices taken into permanent employment after passing final examinations
- Wilfried Porth, Daimler’s Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Labor Relations Director: “With a presence in nearly 200 countries, hardly any other German company is as international as Daimler. We are growing in many regions of the world and want to compete for the best personnel everywhere.”

Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 24, 2011 – Daimler plans to recruit more than 10,000 people worldwide in 2011, thereof 4,000 in Germany alone. 6,700 skilled workers and approximately 700 graduates will be recruited directly all over the world. The Group is also focusing on gaining talent for the future: As well as taking on approximately 1,900 apprentices, Daimler is also offering positions for 600 trainees in its CAReer trainee program and for more than 200 students at the ‘Duale Hochschule’. Most of those positions will be offered in Germany.

“As the inventor of the automobile, we intend to be at the forefront of shaping the transformation of our industry. That’s why we are making enormous investment not only in research and development, but also in the recruitment and training of the best young talent and skilled workers. We can only deliver top performance with the help of a first-class workforce. Our human resources policy stands on two pillars: the continuous encouragement and support of young talent along with the recruitment of highly qualified skilled workers and graduates with work experience,” stated Wilfried Porth, Daimler’s Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Labor Relations Director.

“With a presence in nearly 200 countries, hardly any other German company is as international as Daimler. We are growing in many regions of the world and want to compete for the best personnel everywhere,” Porth continued.

The direct new recruitment of 6,700 skilled workers will take place worldwide, partially for the new or expanded plants in Hungary, India and Mexico. In the United States, 1,300 new employees will be recruited for the plants of Daimler Trucks North America.

In Germany, Daimler plans to take over approximately 1,900 apprentices when they have passed their final examinations.

In addition, approximately 700 engineers and informatics experts will be taken on in 2011 – for example in the Group’s departments for alternative drive systems, lightweight construction, driver assistance systems and worldwide IT management. More than half of this recruitment will be in Germany. Daimler is mainly seeking mechanical, electrical and informatics engineers for these positions.

Approximately 600 young people will be taken into the Group-wide trainee program, CAReer, thereof 500 in Germany. More than 65 percent of the recruitment for CAReer is in technical areas. During the program, university graduates and career starters with some work experience pass through a total of three national and international project deployments in various parts of the company.

Against the backdrop of ongoing technological changes in the automotive industry, recruitment for the engineering courses at the ‘Duale Hochschule’ has increased continuously in recent years. In 2011, probably more than 200 of those students will start work at Daimler. Daimler has been involved with great success in these university courses combining academic education with practical training since 1972, and was one of the founders of the so called Stuttgart Model, which was the predecessor of the former ‘Berufsakademie’ and today’s ‘Duale Hochschule’.

In addition to the new permanent jobs, approximately 1,800 apprentices will start their job training at Daimler in 2011. Daimler provides 37 percent of the apprenticeships of the German automobile manufacturers and trains young people in 21 technical and 13 commercial occupations. Daimler can look back on a tradition of more than 100 years in the field of occupational training.

As of December 31, 2010, the Daimler Group employed 260,100 people worldwide, thereof 164,000 in Germany. This was 3,700 more worldwide and 1,500 more in Germany than a year before. With regard to the overall workforce development in the year 2011, Daimler assumes that the number of employees worldwide will increase slightly.

More information for job applicants and details of specific positions vacant can be accessed at www.career.daimler.com.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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