Latest news with #GordenWagener
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
AI Will Connect Mercedes-Benz Places Residents to the World
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sixty-seven stories above sea level, Mercedes-Benz Places sits as one of the many high rises on the Miami skyline bearing an automaker's name. Aston Martin Residences, Porsche Design Tower and Bentley Residences are all nearby, as are the Armani/Casa and Fendi Chateau. To stand out, Mercedes-Benz Places is relying heavily on its brand affiliation. Design and technology features throughout the space are meant to welcome homeowners, shoppers, diners and visitors into a fully immersive Mercedes-Benz ecosystem. The exterior of the condominium structure features horizontal brightwork reminiscent of the center console vents in the new-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan and the rounded edges of the building play on the car's armrest design. The evolving juxtaposition of the two-tower structure gives the eye something unique to look at in a sea of light-colored towers as it moves toward the sky. While driving an artificial intelligence-enhanced Mercedes-Benz, such as the new CLA, Places residents will be able to seamlessly move throughout their day. Transitioning from morning to night with work or play in between, with AI assistance. "Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami is designed as a highly integrated living experience," Michael Stern, CEO of JDS Development Group, told Newsweek. "As truly a mixed-use project, Mercedes-Benz Places includes residences, a hotel, office, wellness and food and beverage outlets. Forward-thinking technology, mobility and sustainability features, and community programming support this future-oriented, integrated lifestyle, including the large-scale, reimagined park at the ground floor, to the many spaces for gathering, entertaining and socializing." Among the features of the 2.5 million-square-foot build are over 1,000 parking spaces, over 800 condominium residences, a 175-key hotel, 130,000 total square feet of amenity and hospitality space and 200,000 square feet of office space. There is also a public park that surrounds the Brickell neighborhood space. It will be filled with a basketball court, a dog run, green space, a kid-friendly section and a restaurant that will be built into the historic building that once housed Miami's first high school. Each condo buyer can customize their space from a selected materials and color palette developed in partnership with the Mercedes-Benz team, led by Mercedes-Benz's Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener. Prospective buyers can see the options at the site's experience center. In its Finish Room, the sales team shares floor plans and views with clients, helping them understand what their unit could look like. Like when ordering a car, customers are presented with a curated menu of options they can choose from. Unlike what is available from Mercedes' Manufaktur arm, high levels of materials and design customization aren't able to be accommodated. Instead, as with a car, the highest level of customization and personalization comes from AI. "AI and connected technology have been part of the design process (a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, SHoP Architects, and Woods Bagot), and will be experienced in many ways throughout the property, including through an in-home 'dashboard' in your private kitchen," Stern said. One potential AI-linked opportunity is a valet summon capability. Imagine a blend of technology that knows your schedule, traffic, navigation and climate control preferences that would be able to ask the condo complex's valet to pull up your car so you can be sure to leave on time, in comfort. Or, utilizing self-driving features, your Mercedes car could drive itself out of the deck and into the porte-cochère so it is ready and waiting for you when you arrive on the ground floor. "Seamless communication will be available at every turn. Not just a 'SmartHome', this is a SmartBuilding, and SmartLifestyle, where your car can talk to your home," Stern said. Additional high-tech amenities at Mercedes-Benz Places include an F1 simulator, recording studio and custom app. The first residences in the building are expected to be inhabited in 2027.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mercedes-Benz unveils Vision V electric limousine concept
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Vision V, a fully electric concept MPV built on its upcoming Van Electric Architecture ( offering a preview of the company's future approach to luxury vans . The model will be part of a portfolio that will range from entry-level family vehicles to high-end limousines and VIP shuttles. Production models based on this platform are expected to launch from 2026. The Vision V marks Mercedes-Benz's attempt to define a new segment of luxury transport positioned between multi-purpose vans and chauffeur-driven limousines . The concept was revealed ahead of Auto China 2025 in Shanghai. Focus on privacy, digital immersion and space Designed with a 'Private Lounge' concept, the Vision V showcases an enclosed passenger area separated from the driver with a smart glass wall that shifts between opaque and transparent. The rear features a cinema-style setup with a retractable 65-inch 4K display, 42-speaker surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos, and seven projectors that expand visuals onto the vehicle's side windows. Passengers can interact with seven pre-configured digital modes, including entertainment, relax, gaming, work, shopping, discovery and karaoke. The cinema screen and soundbar are controlled via a central touchpad. All glass elements, including windows and partitions, feature switchable opacity to offer privacy or ambient display functionality. 'The Vision V is the beginning of a new era for Mercedes-Benz Vans. It demonstrates, in the truest sense of the word, how we bring luxury to a spacious cabin and define a new segment. With that, we set standards in design, comfort and an immersive user experience – while meeting the highest demands of our customers,' said Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. Multi-screen cockpit, aerodynamic exterior The cockpit area features a three-screen 'Superscreen' display system stretching from pillar to pillar. It delivers navigation and vehicle data using real-time graphics, while allowing user interface personalisation for both driver and front passenger. The exterior of the Vision V adopts a low-profile silhouette, short overhangs, and digital lighting elements integrated into the body panels and wheels. The vehicle is equipped with illuminated chrome detailing and interactive lighting sequences that activate when occupants approach the vehicle. Gorden Wagener , Chief Design Officer at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, added, 'The Mercedes-Benz Vans have been iconic for decades. With the Vision V we take that heritage and transform it into a completely new context of highest luxury transportation. This show car embodies the perfect harmony between luxury and van design, setting a new benchmark for the future.' The Vision V remains a concept model, but signals a strategic move by Mercedes-Benz Vans to tap into demand for high-end electric people movers. The platform is expected to support this transition globally, including in emerging markets such as India, where demand for electric mobility is steadily growing.
ArabGT
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
First Clues Emerge About the 2027 Baby G-Class Price
Mercedes-Benz is officially expanding its iconic G-Class family, and now we have the first glimpse into what the all-electric 2027 Baby G-Class might cost. Designed to offer the rugged charm of its legendary sibling in a more compact, accessible form, the Baby G is set to bring a new level of versatility to the premium off-road segment. The 2027 Baby G-Class — often internally referred to as the 'Little G' — will enter a segment beneath the current full-size G-Class, offering a more affordable and city-friendly alternative while staying true to the G's signature boxy design. This smaller SUV is aimed at customers who admire the G-Class's tough-luxury image but seek a version that's easier to live with both on-road and in terms of price. Estimated Pricing for the 2027 Baby G-Class According to early reports, the 2027 Baby G-Class will debut with a starting price of approximately £70,000 — translating to around $92,923 or SAR 348,461. This positions it as a significantly more accessible alternative to the high-end G580 EQ, which currently starts at £180,860 ($240,362 or SAR 901,357). The price difference reflects the Baby G's smaller size, different platform, and electric-only configuration. Despite its lower cost, Mercedes-Benz promises that the 2027 Baby G-Class will not compromise on capability or character. It will feature a rugged design inspired by the full-size G-Class, complete with boxy lines and distinctive off-road posture, but in a more compact form. The new model will also target direct competitors like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and upcoming Land Rover Defender Sport — but with a luxurious Mercedes twist. A New Chapter in the G Family Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius confirmed the development of the smaller G-Class at the 2023 Munich Motor Show. The 2027 Baby G-Class will be sold exclusively as an electric vehicle and will become a key member of the G sub-brand — a lineup that now stands alongside Mercedes' elite Maybach, EQ, and AMG divisions. Built on the new platform, the Baby G-Class will benefit from a modern electric architecture including 800-volt charging capabilities and the brand's fifth-generation battery pack, expected to deliver a range of over 698 km (434 miles). This same platform will also support upcoming electric variants of the C-Class and GLC. From a design perspective, the 2027 Baby G-Class will maintain the rugged silhouette that made the original G a legend, but with its own personality. According to Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener, it will still be a 'G' in essence — just smaller, sleeker, and with subtle cues to differentiate it, including a lowercase 'g' on the badge to set it apart from its full-sized sibling. A Luxury Off-Roader for a New Generation The 2027 Baby G-Class represents Mercedes' entry into the compact premium off-road EV space — a growing segment that blends utility with refinement. With a significantly lower starting price than the flagship G580 EQ, this model will broaden the G-Class customer base without sacrificing the essence of what makes a G a G. As anticipation builds ahead of its 2027 launch, the Baby G-Class is shaping up to be a bold and strategic move by Mercedes-Benz — one that promises off-road credibility, electric innovation, and luxury accessibility all wrapped in one distinctive package.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The New Mercedes-Benz CLA in Photos
More from Robb Report The Mercedes-Benz CLA Has More Tech Than the S-Class. Here's What to Know. Chinese EV Maker BYD Says It Can Now Charge Cars in Just 5 Minutes The New Mercedes-Benz CLA Previews the Marque's Exciting Electric Future Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article. The new Mercedes-Benz CLA. Mercedes-Benz is banking that the combination of overall range, energy consumption rate, rapid charging time, and custom software will entice the EV-averse buyer. The interior's Superscreen dash features a 10.25-inch instrument panel for the driver, a 14-inch center console, and an optional 14-inch display for passengers. The first CLA will be a pure EV model, offered in a rear-wheel-drive configuration with 268 hp and 247 ft lbs of torque, or with an all-wheel-drive setup with 349 hp and 380 ft lbs of torque. The CLA's hood is medium length and has a nice presence in the flesh, accentuated by the grille, illuminated with 142 stars. Power comes from an 85.5 kWh battery, which is rated by the WLTP at 492 miles. The latest iteration of the CLA, originally launched in 2013, will be built on the newly developed MMA platform, one that allows for both EV and internal-combustion engines with mild hybridization. Even if the EPA estimated range falls somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 miles, it'll place the CLA amongst the likes of Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid in that regard. 'The [CLA] isn't a car; it's a smart house on wheels,' says Gorden Wagener, chief design officer for Mercedes-Benz.
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Mercedes design chief predicts AI will replace car designers in 10 years
Listen to article Mercedes-Benz's Chief of Design, Gorden Wagener, has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) will likely replace human designers within the next decade, reshaping the automotive design landscape. While acknowledging that the technology is not yet at its full potential, Wagener highlighted the rapid advancements in AI and its increasing role in design processes at Mercedes-Benz. In an interview, Wagener shared that although AI-generated designs are still in their infancy, with a majority falling short of standards, a small percentage already meets high expectations. He stressed that AI's capabilities are improving daily, making it a crucial tool for designers in the future. 'We work with AI now,' Wagener explained. 'You get 99 percent of c**p with AI and sheer quantity. That's the biggest problem – sorting out the good stuff from the bad. But you get one percent of good stuff, and we keep learning.' Wagener went on to predict that in the next 10 years, the majority of design work in the automotive industry will be handled by AI, ultimately rendering human designers obsolete. 'AI will drastically change the way we design. I think in 10 years, maybe, most of design will be done by AI, and it will make designers obsolete,' he remarked. He also joked that AI would replace him at Mercedes-Benz, adding, 'My successor will be a machine, and it will be much cheaper than my salary.' Although Wagener envisions a future where AI dominates design, he is not alone in embracing the technology. Automakers like General Motors and Tesla are already incorporating AI into their design processes, with Tesla utilising AI to create structural components and optimise vehicle aesthetics. Mercedes-Benz has also used AI for design work in its luxury real estate developments, such as its Miami and Dubai projects. In Miami, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with JDS Development Group and architectural firm SHoP Architects for its first North American real estate venture, Mercedes-Benz Places. The 67-story tower blends the brand's design philosophy with luxury living, offering residences, a hotel, office spaces, and unique Mercedes-branded amenities. The tower's design, including elements like silver exteriors and curved balconies, is heavily inspired by Mercedes-Benz's automotive aesthetics. Despite the potential of AI, there are contrasting views within the industry. While Wagener envisions a future dominated by AI, other designers, like Maserati's Klaus Busse, remain cautious. Busse has stated that AI is a useful tool but is not a complete solution, as it merely mirrors existing designs rather than innovating for the future.
