Major car brand makes huge change to flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a SPACESHIP
A MAJOR car brand has made a huge change to its flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a spaceship.
A refreshed version of the Mercedes Benz EQS EV limo is set to hit the market next year - but customers may be in for a shock.
3
3
Instead of a traditional steering wheel, the model will come complete with a futuristic "yoke" wheel.
Yoke wheels are usually U or T-shaped - rather than circular.
And unlike conventional steering wheels, where the driver's hands can be placed anywhere around the circumference, yokes generally have two horizontal grips - a bit like a joystick.
In this way, they create a futuristic, techy feel that is also present in many F1 cars.
Fans of the 1980s Knight Rider series may equally see similarities between the yoke and the steering unit in Michael Knight's talking car, KITT.
Mercedes is not the first brand to introduce a yoke - with Tesla launching its own version in 2021 as part of its Model S and Model X.
However, the feature drew criticism from customers for its lack of practical usability.
Mercedes is determined to avoid the same mistakes - and has combined the funky shape with a host of snazzy controls for an optimal user-friendly experience.
With the merest of hand movements, drivers will be able to access their audio settings, cruise control and hands-free phone operation on two panels in the middle of the wheel.
Plus, the model will have what's called a "steer-by-wire" system, meaning the steering wheel and front wheels are connected electronically rather than mechanically.
Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move
The system will automatically know how much angle is required - meaning the driver is never required to fully rotate the yoke.
This comes as part of the brand's transition towards self-driving cars.
Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer for development and procurement, explained: "Steer-by-wire is another big step towards the mobility of tomorrow, and we're proud that we will be launching such a system in 2026.
"The technology enables a unique customer experience that goes far beyond steering alone.
"In combination with Level 3 conditionally automated driving, it will enable an even more immersive entertainment experience in the medium term.
"That's because the flat steering wheel provides a better view of the display when streaming your favourite show, for example."
It comes after the brand gave a sneak peak into its Vision V electric range, which is also set to launch in 2026.
The vans will feature plush white leather seats and clear acrylic storage compartments attached to the doors.
The cabinets are said to mimic display cabinets in high-end designer stores, and can be used to carry handbags or sunglasses.
And, passengers can even separate themselves from the driver with a glass panel, which creates a "private lounge."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
New Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Will Be A Rare Beast
The standard GLS 63 is already a $150k SUV, so how much will this be? Exclusive GLS 63 Limited To 450 Units Already the ultimate boss SUV from Mercedes-AMG, a special edition of the GLS 63 has been revealed. Like several other high-performance Mercs, the name is a mouthful: Say hello to the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver edition. It follows the reveal of the CLE Manufaktur edition in April. Only 450 examples of this GLS 63 are set to go into production, although the exact number reserved for the United States isn't known at this stage. There are no apparent performance upgrades to an already powerful SUV. Rather, this GLS 63 is all about elevated style and presence – and, most likely, an eye-watering price. Source: Mercedes-AMG Model-Exclusive Paint Finish And Special Black/Red Accents Despite 'Arctic Silver' forming part of this special edition's name, it will officially be finished in Manufaktur Cirrus Silver Magno paint, a finish that's reserved for this model. The silver is complemented by numerous black and red accents around the body, including red AMG brake calipers. Huge 23-inch wheels are AMG multi-spoke forged items in a matte black finish with red rim flanges. Look closely, and you'll be able to spot an AMG logo and laurel wreath elements on the center caps. To keep the moody theme going, the AMG Night Package adorns various elements in a glossy black finish. This finish extends to the front splitter, mirror housings, window surrounds, side sill panels, and rear fascia. More dark finishes find their way onto the tailpipes and roof rails. A High-End Interior To Match Inside, this special edition of the GLS 63 gets even better materials and finishes than the standard derivative. Nappa leather in Manufaktur Carmine Red/Black covers the seats, and this has a luxurious diamond quilting. There's a special AMG Performance steering wheel, and unique AMG Carbon Fiber trim with red accents accentuates the sporty atmosphere. Door sill trims are finished in black, with contrasting white illuminated AMG lettering that's model-specific. Combined, these touches remind you that you're not in any ordinary GLS 63. Same Tire-Shredding Performance Expected No performance upgrades were mentioned, so we expect this special GLS 63 to have the same 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. With a nine-speed automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive, the 0-60 mph sprint takes 4.1 seconds. Although smaller AMG models have gone the downsizing route, the GLS 63 retains a charismatic V8, and it's all the better for it. Performance aside, it's the character of this engine that can't be replicated with a smaller V6 or four-pot, no matter how much hybridization Mercedes packs into the powertrain. Source: Mercedes-AMG How Much Will It Cost? Pricing should be announced closer to the arrival of this model later in 2025, but we expect it to be substantially more expensive than the normal GLS 63, primarily because of the Manufaktur edition's exclusivity. The standard GLS starts at $149,500 for the 2025 model year, and you can add another $15,000 or more on top of that when it's fully loaded. With that in mind, expect the GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver edition to cost around $180,000 – or more than the $178,450 you'll pay for the exceptional Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV.
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
The Fanciest Mercedes SUVs On The Block Are Falling Apart
Bad News For Mercedes GLE And GLS Owners It's not every day that you hear of pieces falling off a brand-new car, unless there are loads of Tesla Cybertrucks in your area. Yet that is exactly the issue that has befallen Mercedes-Benz and some of its most expensive SUVs in the U.S., with the NHTSA announcing a new recall for detaching interior cameras and mirrors on numerous trims across the GLE and GLS ranges, including the swanky bouncing SUV with the Maybach badge. According to the recall documents, the issue is similar to that of the Cybertruck: bad adhesive. 0:02 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More Mercedes Blames Supplier Mercedes lays the blame at the feet of AGC Automotive Americas Co. in Michigan, which allowed a production deviation to pass unnoticed, resulting in smart rearview mirrors potentially falling off. Obviously, this creates a bit of a challenge when backing up, but there are bigger concerns. At this end of the market, technological proliferation has even extended to the seemingly basic rearview mirror housing. Thanks to forward-facing multifunction cameras and other sensors, the affected vehicles lose the function of other advanced driver aids, which, as the NHTSA is always quick to point out, could increase the risk of a crash at either end of the vehicle. So is your car affected? Probably not, because only 26 vehicles have been flagged under this recall, but since the spread of potentially affected models is wide, it's worth a look before the recall notice hits your inbox. 2025 AMG GLE 53 4MATIC 2025 AMG GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe 2025 AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC Coupe 2025 AMG GLS 63 4MATIC 2024 GLE 350 4MATIC 2025 GLE 450 4MATIC 2025 GLE 450 4MATIC Coupe 2025 GLS 450 4MATIC 2025 Maybach GLS 4MATIC Source: Drew Phillips New Windshield Comes As Part Of Recall If yours is one of the affected models built between June 5, 2024, and October 12, 2024, you could score a new pane of glass, as the camera elements are embedded. This means you score a new windshield if your rearview isn't great, but it also means you may need to replace an expensive camera system if you suffer from something as minor as a stone chip. It's a pity that Mercedes can't simply glue the multipurpose rearview mirror housing back on, but that would add to the labor costs and potentially result in some subpar finishing. When you're potentially inconveniencing Maybach owners with a letter notifying them of a recall (to be emailed on July 15), it's best to get them back out the door as soon as possible. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Source: Mercedes-Benz
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mercedes exec calls electric version of iconic SUV a 'complete flop'
A Mercedes-Benz executive has described the new electric version of one of its most iconic models as a 'complete flop' that dealers are struggling to shift. It is reportedly being outsold seven to one by the petrol variant of the same SUV model, which for years has been a massive hit among celebrities and especially professional footballers. The car in question is the G-Class - or 'G-Wagon' - which has been reinvented for an electric generation with the arrival of the £154,870 'G580' EV last year. Only 1,450 examples have been delivered since its launch whereas the £133,500 gas-guzzling alternative continues to prove popular among well-heeled clients who snapped up 9,700 units over the same period to the end of April, German business newspaper Handelsblatt claims. It reported that one exec said: 'The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop,' as they referenced its poor sales performance amidst a wider EV slowdown. Mercedes-Benz earlier this year announced plans to bring more new petrol and diesel cars than electrics to market for its new product range in a bid to revive margins as it braced for a sharp drop in earnings in 2025 on the back of stalling EV sales. The German paper claims another Mercedes 'manager' had attempted to defend the small sale volumes of G580 EVs, saying it is a 'niche model' with 'very low' production output. This is Money contacted Mercedes-Benz, with a spokesman telling us: 'The G-Class continues to prove popular. 'The G-Class achieved its best-ever sales quarter in Q4 2024 and continued its strong sales performance in the first quarter of 2025 with sales up 18 per cent compared to last year. 'Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. 'Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class.' The G580 was first unveiled last April. It is on sale in the UK for £154,870, which is a £20k mark-up on the petrol version In keeping with its 45-years tradition, the new all-electric G-Wagon has a ladder-frame chassis. It uses a huge 116kWh battery that provides energy for four e-motors located near the wheels to produce 579bhp. However, because of its extra half-tonne of bulk over the petrol alternatives, it is 0.4 seconds slower to 62mph (4.7 seconds for the G580) than the burbling 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 G63 AMG and its 112mpg top speed is down on the AMG's 149mph. The additional heft of the battery pack also limits the electric G-Class' full-charge battery range, which is just 292 miles, according to the WLTP test cycle used in the UK and Europe. This is almost 200 miles shy of its CLA electric saloon's market-leading single-charge range of 492 miles - and that's from a car costing from just £45,000. In the US, one of the G-Class' biggest markets, the G580 EV's EPA-certified range is even lower, at just 239 miles. Other factors are limiting the G580's appeal to customers include its steep premium over a six-cylinder internal combustion engine variant, a disappointing maximum payload of just 415kg and the lack of a practical towbar as an option. Handelsblatt also reported this week that the disappointing demand for the electric G-Wagon has forced Mercedes to rethink plans for a smaller model Junior G-Class variant. The forthcoming 'Little G' has been rumoured for 2027 and had been expected to launch exclusively with electric power. However, Mercedes could now make it available as a hybrid as part of a wider strategy to push more combustion engine models into the market in the coming years. In February, the Stuttgart luxury car maker said it will release 19 new combustion engine models and 17 battery-electric cars by the end of 2027, in a sign of a renewed focus on the former after its EV sales collapsed by a quarter last year. Most of the new models will be in its top-end price tier, showing its commitment to its strategy of selling a lower volume of higher-margin vehicles, despite some investors and labour representatives expressing concern in recent months that the strategy had failed. 'The strategy of value over volume remains in place - it has not been abandoned,' CFO Harald Wilhelm said earlier this year, adding it was good news for its margin that combustion engine cars were still far outselling EVs. Daimler-Benz first introduced the original G-Class in 1979, having developed the off-road in partnership with Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. Originally called the 'Wolf', it was designed as a robust military off-roader capable of taking on all terrains. But in more recent times, the SUV has become the choice of footballers, celebs and social media stars wanting to show off their vast wealth and love of enormous - and hugely powerful - vehicles. There have been a number of oddball modified examples too, not least the six-wheeled G63 6x6 and the Project Mondo G built in collaboration with premium coat company Moncler, which ultimately put a puffer jacket on a Mercedes G-Class. Car makers scrambling to adjust EV strategies Mercedes is among a raft of car makers grappling with a slower-than-expected uptake of EVs. On Wednesday, Volvo Cars confirmed it had sold 59,822 cars in May, down 12 per cent year-on-year, primarily due to a lack of EV appetite. The Swedish car maker, majority-owned by China's Geely, said in a statement that sales of fully electric cars fell 27 per cent to account for a fifth of its total sales volumes. It also confirmed in May that it will cut 3,000 mostly white-collar jobs - around 15 per cent of its global workforce - as it contends with a slowdown in EV demand, higher operating costs and trade uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump. Volvo UK declined to comment to This is Money when asked how many UK jobs could be impacted. Legendary Italian marque Alfa Romeo has also hit headlines in recent days following reports from sources that it has delayed the launch of its new electric Stelvio SUV, which was due to go into production this year at its Cassino vehicle plant in central Italy. Reuters said on Thursday that insiders had suggested it has been postponed to 2026 as it 'reassesses its strategy' amid tepid demand for electric cars, with the likelihood it will also be sold with hybrid power. This would follow a similar strategy used by other Stellantis-owed brands, including Fiat, Citroen, and Jeep. Fiat will make available a hybrid version of its latest 500 from next year, despite promises to only sell it as an EV. It also made a last-minute call to do the same with its bigger 600 last year. The Citroen C4 X and Jeep Avenger - also both promised to be EV-only - now have hybrid powertrain options too. This is Money contacted Alfa Romeo too. A spokesperson on behalf of the bran told us: 'Stellantis has announced, through a company spokesperson, that it is working on an update to its plan for Italy. 'The plan includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs. 'A constructive dialogue is underway in the appropriate forums.'
